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 Patty Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY / Shaheen Solomon, 30: From 285 pounds to 248 pounds
Former weight: 285 pounds
Current weight: 248 pounds
Pounds lost: 37
Height: 6 feet 3 inches
Age: 30
How long he's kept it off: He started in January and has maintained his current weight for four months.
Personal life: "I'm a public relations program manager at Southeast United Dairy Industry Association, Inc.," says Solomon. "I promote healthy lifestyles in schools across the Southeast and a healthy diet that includes dairy, like milk, cheese and yogurt on behalf of dairy farmers. I live in Fairburn, Ga., with my lovely wife of almost five years, we have two children, a son, Eli, age four, and a daughter, Jordyn, who'll be two in October, and our dog, Gizmo."
Turning point: "I played football for Georgia Southern University," he says. "After graduation, I kept consuming the calories of a college athlete, but not exercising at that rate. Decided that I wanted to be in shape again; didn't like the person that I was becoming … I went on a strict exercise and diet regimen to get back in shape, both physically and mentally …"
Diet plan: "Cut down on portions, worked out by lifting weights and running ten plus miles per week. Ate salads and grilled meats, fruits, yogurt, cheese and skim milk," he says. "My daily eating regimen consisted of 2 percent yogurt and rolled oats for breakfast, almonds and raisins for snack, grilled chicken or a can of tuna with salad for lunch. For dinner, grilled salmon or chicken with steamed broccoli or salad. Fruit would be a dessert. This was my eating regimen for almost three months. My favorite breakfast is one cup of rolled oats, one container of two percent yogurt … I prefer Greek pineapple, and half a cup of 2 percent milk. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and store in the fridge for several hours or overnight. In the morning, top with almonds or fresh fruit. Great breakfast and keeps you full for several hours."
Exercise routine: "Exhaust my muscles with weight workouts after I ran two miles per day, I averaged ten to 12 miles per week," he says.
Biggest challenge: "Having two children under the age of five has been a challenge. Finding the time to work out and achieve your goals and still be the family man is something that I'm learning to tackle," he says.
How life has changed: "I've got more confidence, I see the person on the outside that was on the inside. I see that former collegiate athlete again," he says. He kept sight of his vision and goals to stay focused. "Go after your goal of weight loss, even when those around you aren't eating healthy and aren't working out. You press on and your goal will become a reality."
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