Ray Bridenbaugh Jr., 58, of Marietta lost 53 pounds

Pounds lost: 53 pounds

Height: 6 feet 5 inches

Age: 58 years

How long he's kept it off: "My wife and I started around August of 2017 as (we) got involved with Sparkle A New You classes. I broke 210 pounds in July of this year and continue to work at keeping my weight down."

Personal life: "My wife and I have been married 36 years and have lived in east Cobb County for approximately 22 years. We have a grown daughter living in the Naples, Fla., area," Bridenbaugh said. "I work for McKesson, a very large, global health care company. It is a terrific company with a great culture, and I've enjoyed my eight years there."

Turning point: "I have always been active and have ridden a bike for fitness for many years. That alone, though, was not enough to lose weight," Bridenbaugh said. "For me, the turning point for this weight loss was finding a program my wife enjoyed and was inspired by." His wife, Leslie, was featured in Success Story on Oct. 17. "I have been fairly active for many years," he said, "but our ability to go through this journey together makes all of the difference."

Diet plan: "Our diet plan is primarily wholesome, organic food and plenty of green vegetables," he said. "… Foods that work well include cauliflower, it comes in many different forms now and can easily replace rice or mashed potatoes in the diet. Roasted vegetables work, and a regular staple of fish or shrimp is excellent."

Exercise routine: "My wife and I both walk almost daily," Bridenbaugh said. "We make sure we are routinely walking about three miles." At least once a month they participate in a charity 5K event.

Biggest challenge: "Initially for me it was portion control and getting used to a reduced calorie diet. I enjoy food and could easily sit down to a 16-ounce rib-eye steak or finish off a nice pizza. I've learned not to do that," Bridenbaugh said. "Today, if we want steak, it may be a 6- or 8-ounce New York strip."

How life has changed: "I am surprised with how much better I feel, not just physically but also more confident in my individual appearance," Bridenbaugh said. "I feel good that my clothes fit better and look better. I have had a lot of compliments from friends and colleagues regarding the weight loss. There have been physiological benefits as well. My blood pressure has come way down, and my average pulse has dropped as well. For the future, I want to be sure that I maintain my weight. While for me it always goes up easily, and comes off slowly, I believe I have the tools and confidence to manage the weight and maintain the weight in the range I desire."

Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.