Success story
Steve Kroening, 47: From 280 pounds to 240 pounds
Former weight: 280 pounds
Current weight: 240 pounds
Pounds lost: 40 pounds
Height: 6 feet, 4 inches
Age: 47 years
How long he's kept it off: Two months.
Personal life: "I'm originally from Colorado. I've been in the Atlanta area for over 25 years. I live in Woodstock with my wonderful wife, Beth, and four kids: Marshall, 19, Kristen, 17, Faith, 14, and Lauryn, 11. I'm a naturopathic doctor and professional writer. I write an e-newsletter, Nutrient Insider (nutrientinsider.com), that goes out to over 200,000 subscribers twice a week."
Turning point: "I've been trying to lose weight for over 10 years. No matter what I tried, nothing seemed to work. The only time my weight went down was on a low-carb diet. When I reached 280 pounds, I knew it was time to get serious. I went on a low-carb diet. I lost 10 pounds and plateaued. … Nothing happened. So, I went to see Nancy Masoud, metabolic specialist at Real Health Medical. Following her direction, I lost another 35 pounds … my goal was 240, so I added a few pounds. … Nancy knew exactly what it would take to make me drop the pounds."
Diet plan: "Nancy's plan uses homeopathic drops that help curb the hunger and boost your metabolism. The diet plan, called Lock It In, actually helps you lose the weight and then lock it in, so you don't gain it back. It's a very strict paleo diet, so almost no dairy (a little coffee creamer is allowed), grains, starchy vegetables, nuts, carbohydrates or sugar. The fruit is limited to apples, some berries and grapefruit. A typical meal has four to five ounces of protein and two cups of veggies. … Nothing is prepackaged."
Exercise routine: "There isn't any exercise until the final phase of the diet. Nancy gives each participant a customized exercise plan. Most of it is lifting light weights and other simple exercises."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge was making sure I had enough to eat. Nancy always helped me find something. Her program is so hands-on that I knew she was always there to get me through the times I was hungriest."
How life has changed: "My clothes fit better, I feel smaller, and my wife can reach her arms around me. She loves the new me. My 11-year-old daughter is upset because she doesn't have the soft pillow in front of me to lay her head on anymore. … I hate to exercise, which is one thing that really drew me to Nancy's program. It doesn't require exercise until the end. But, now that I've lost weight, I actually have some desire to exercise. That hasn't happened since college."
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 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
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