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, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY
Sirocus Barnes, 33: From 335 pounds to 220 pounds
Former weight: 335 pounds
Current weight: 220 pounds
Pounds lost: 115 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 4 inches
Age: 33 years
How long he's kept it off: He started in 2014 and reached 124 pounds lost in March. He maintains within 10 pounds.
Personal life: "I am the Horizons at Georgia Tech program director … a summer learning program designed to prevent the summer slide by working with first through eighth grade students over the summer months in math and reading, and additional support is provided to the students throughout the school year. … I have an Instagram page dedicated to my fitness journey: @daroc006." He lives in Atlanta.
Turning point: "On a workday, I had several meetings in my building. Those meetings required me to walk up several flights of stairs. I was out of breath. I was too young … to be out of breath walking up stairs. … It was August 2014. I just realized, at 31, that this couldn't be the most healthy thing."
Diet plan: Breakfast is scrambled eggs and spinach or oatmeal. Grapefruit and almonds are snacks. Lunch is lean protein and vegetables. He eats a light dinner.
Exercise routine: "Running is a big part of my fitness journey, but I strength train a lot; I typically work out six times a week. I started running because I had begun to plateau on my weight loss. … I joined Black Men Run (blkmenrun.com) in November. … Black Men Run has been such a supportive group. … For me, the biggest benefit is to be with a group of brothers that all enjoy running. Yoga is a really good part of my fitness journey as well."
Biggest challenge: "Overcoming the fear of going out and doing a 13.1 mile run. … I did training runs. [Now] when I talk about fear, it's the fear of not wanting to go back to 335 pounds."
How life has changed: "Previously, on a plane I had to use an extender, for me that's big. … [I] can go into any store and find clothes that fit. … I could have never imagined running one mile, let alone 13.1. … This year, I have run three half-marathons. … I will run a total of seven half-marathons by the end of the year, and have signed up for my first full marathon, the 2017 Publix Georgia Marathon in March."
About the Author
