Robert Wilson, 36: From 348 to 246 pounds

Pounds lost: 102 pounds

Height: 6 feet 1 inch

Age: 36 years

How long he's kept it off: "I started dieting in April of 2012, and lost thirty pounds the first month," says Wilson. "I started a training program at LA Fitness the next month, May, and maintained the diet program. I hit my first main goal of getting under 250 pounds in September of 2012. My ultimate goal is to reach 199 pounds - something I have not been since eighth grade."

Personal life: "I have been married for seven years to my wife, Candace, and have two daughters," he says. "I live in Kennesaw, Georgia, but work in Atlanta. …I work for AmeriSave Mortgage company as a loan officer and have worked there for five years."

Turning point: "It was time to do something," he says. "I had severe sleep apnea and acid-reflux disease. At 348 pounds, I [felt] I only had a few years left before my sleep apnea caught up to me in the worst way. …I was motivated by the thought of not being around to raise my children, and that was not going to be the case if I had anything to do with it."

Diet plan: He has Cheerios and a banana for breakfast. Lunch is fruit, cottage cheese and a peanut butter sandwich. Dinner is chicken with vegetables, and he has a fruit smoothie for an evening snack. He uses the smart phone app, myFitness to track his calories.

Exercise routine: "I try to go to the gym every morning and ride my bike three to four times per week in the evenings," he says.

Biggest challenge: "Biggest challenge for me was the desire to eat junk food. Usually, what I tried to do was allow some junk food from time to time but used portion control to decrease the impact. For example, if I felt like pizza, I got one piece, not five."

How life has changed: "I have more energy than I have ever had and feel better rested since I am sleeping better," he says. "Healthy food has since become a topic in the house, and my kids are eating better and asking questions about healthy food. Which means, hopefully, they will grow up with the understanding of what it takes to eat healthy."

Be an inspiration: If you’ve made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Patty Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, Ga., 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.