Marlon Gibson, 33, of College Park lost 240 pounds

Height: 5 feet 11 inches

Age: 33 years

How long he's kept it off: "I started in January 2011 and I continue to work out religiously. I also have adopted a strict vegetarian almost vegan lifestyle," said Gibson, who reached his current weight in mid-April.

Personal life: "I am married to the beautiful ... Sheree Gibson, and we do not have any children currently, but hopefully after the birth of her Ph.D [in college student affairs administration] next year," he said. Gibson is a judicial affairs adviser in the office of the dean of students at Georgia State University. He and his wife live in College Park.

Turning point: "My wife and I were watching [NBC's] 'Biggest Loser' and she began to cry," he said. Through tears, she said her fear was he wouldn't be around to help raise their future children.

Diet plan: "I start each day at 4:15 a.m. with a protein shake on my way to the gym," he said. He has oatmeal with fruit for breakfast; lunch is vegetarian chili with a side salad and fruit; and dinner is vegetable stir fry with tofu. He snacks on Clif Bars and drinks several liters of water daily.

Exercise routine: "I work out seven days a week, and five of the seven days a week, I run at least three miles in the evening. I also do at least 150 crunches and 25 to 50 push-ups every night before bed." He works out twice a day with the support of a coach.

Biggest challenge: "I think my initial start was maybe the hardest and learning to eat two or four pieces of fried chicken vs. five to six pieces of fried chicken."

How life has changed: "I am so different -- I live to work out now and have energy for days. I also am no longer taking a high blood pressure pill, a water pill and a potassium pill ... and also seeing my family doctor every other month. ... I no longer take any of the pills, and now I see my doctor once a year," he said. "The weight loss has been rapid, but ... the old Marlon was eating everything fried and in large quantities [and living] a sedentary lifestyle. ... I love the new Marlon."

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 Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.