Nealon Kent Hightower loses 110 pounds

Height: 5 feet 10 inches

Age: 35 years old

How long he's kept it off: Three years -- he started in November 2007 and met his goal twelve months later.

Personal life: "I live in Decatur. I have three children: ages 6, 4 and 2 who are the love of my life," Hightower says. In June of 2010, he published a book, "Six Simple Truths to Fat Release," (mPower Press, $14.95; ebook, $9.95, www.releasebodyfat.com).

Turning point: "When my second son was born in October of 2007, the housing market had left my company in financial ruin," he says. "I had fatty liver disease in addition to sleep apnea. I had two small children who were depending on me, and a wife who was frightened. I decided I needed to make some changes."

Diet plan: Breakfast is a protein shake. Lunch is salad with protein. He snacks on fruit and dinner is lean protein with vegetables.

Exercise routine: "When I first started, I didn't exercise at all. After a month or so, I started walking," he says. He walks three times a week for thirty minutes. "I use the affirmation [while walking], 'With every step I'm walking closer to the healthy person I am becoming and farther away from the unhealthy person in my past.'...what you think about you bring about."

Biggest challenge: "My father, who was my business partner and one of my best friends, was diagnosed with cancer when I was about three months into my journey. I was about to throw in the towel if not for the encouragement and help from my local YMCA and one of their wellness coaches."

How life has changed: "I promised myself four years ago that if I could be shown the way to a healthy body once and for all, and get out from under this extreme burden, that I would spend the rest of my life helping others get there, too," he says. "I am more active and present now with my three children and though not all of my relationships fared as well, I have learned to love myself, maybe for the first time and that is a wonderful feeling."

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.