Weight loss secrets: How three DeKalb County residents dropped 100 plus pounds

Thomas Disbrow, 62, of Stone Mountain went from 370 pounds to 207

Choosing to start losing: Disbrow was looking for a job and said he knew his odds would improve if he lost weight.

Diet: Disbrow tailored his diet to his likes and dislikes. He ate oatmeal and a banana for breakfast, a chicken or turkey sandwich for lunch and broccoli or spinach with mushrooms for dinner. Snacks included skinless chicken breast and crackers with peanut butter. He ate an open-faced sandwich with mushrooms and melted Swiss cheese on top in the evening. "When eating out, I eat as much lettuce as I want but nothing else," he said. He dipped his fork for the "salad" in an oil-based dressing.

Exercise: Disbrow did "little to no" excercise with the exception of yard work. He added some calisthenics in the last three months of this weight loss.

Attitude: Disbrow's active in his church and sings in choir. Social settings were a big challenge. "I bring my own food or just eat lettuce, broccoli or white mushrooms if available," he said.

He said he regained his flexibility and went from having type 2 diabetes A1c to pre-diabetes A1c and that part of the journey included realizing how much food he needed. "I came to realize that satiety for me was too much food and that eating for me had to be about having sufficient strength in my legs to function — not necessarily being full. If I need to feel that way, I go out and stuff myself on lettuce."

Jared Brodie, 27, of Stone Mountain went from 306 pounds to 180

Choosing to start losing: Brodie began a seven-year weight loss after he saw himself in a mirror at DSW shoe store. "I wasn't happy with what I saw," he said. "I thought, 'I really have to take this seriously' ... It wasn't until I stepped on the scale; I didn't realize I was 306 pounds — I guess I was in denial."

His mother suggested that they participate in a weight-loss challenge at a local gym. "[We] thought it was a win-win situation because whether we won the prize or not, we'd lose a bunch of weight ... The reason why my story is something that needs to be shared, the seven years I was working on my body, there's times that my weight has gone up and down up and down ... life happens."

Diet: Breakfast was a juice smoothie, lunch a light salad or chicken sandwich. Dinner was a lighter meal and he didn't eat it after 9:30 p.m.

Exercise: "I exercise five days a week," he said. "When I get to the gym, I usually alternate. I'll run one day then the next day an aerobic walk, 30 minutes of cardio and then ... a 10- to 15-minute stretch. Then I go into the 8-minute ab workout."

Attitude: "I do have a newfound confidence," he said. "I don't think it's because of the weight loss but because of the fact I was able to accomplish something I didn't expect — I never thought I could lose so much weight like this. Sometimes you have to sit back and give yourself props for whatever accomplishment you overcame ... Be fully aware of your mental health as much as your physical health — they both go hand in hand."
At the end of the day, Brodie said, no matter he's lost, "I am a fat boy at heart. I know I'm supposed to be on a diet, but this burger is calling my name. I struggle with it constantly."

Kevin Mungo, 49, of Stone Mountain went from 370 to 237 pounds

Choosing to start losing: "I had a lot of deaths that came rapidly," he said. "My mother passed, she had liver problems and heart problems. I left my job and everything to care for her." Then his brother, who was obese, died when a hernia burst. "I had started a little bit (but) after my brother passed I really buckled down and really worked out. I know he would be proud of me — so would my mom."

Diet: Mungo made "a total lifestyle change." He gave up red meat and bread and no longer drank soda. Instead, he made frozen-fruit smoothies and steams vegetables and eats chicken or turkey and snacks on trail mix.

Exercise: "I started out with a trainer who was truly a blessing to me. From there, I took it on my own," he said. "Usually on Mondays, I'll run in the mornings. I will take a break or at my lunchtime and I'll lift weights for half an hour. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays is when I do most of my cardio and my running."

Attitude: "I think the most difficult part of it was getting over believing I couldn't do it," he said. "I owe it all to God; I can't take credit for nothing. You get on your knees and pray about it ... You take one step forward and God will carry you the rest of the way."