NBC.com

Name:

jonathan

Location:

leesburg, VA

Comments:

I was 355 pounds, 6 ft, at age 34 and I lost 155 pounds in 3 ½ years. Much like the Biggest Loser contestants, I had spent a lifetime putting on the weight. I knew it was time to deal with my weight. My size was holding me back in all areas of my life, I was limited on the things I could do and with a list of long term health issues facing me as a young person I had to get started sooner than later. I lost 50 pounds the first year with changing my diet, starting the 2nd year I began to bike and I finished the 3rd year adding swimming and running. The secret for me was to find a simple diet, nothing to complicated. The exercise had to be something I enjoyed, something I wanted to go do. I tried the gym and it lasted about 30 days, it just was not for me, I would make excused why I could not go. Biking and running outside made me want to go workout, I could not wait each day to go ride a new path, run faster, go farther than the last time, I was hooked. As the weight came off the more I could, the more I wanted to do. I had to stay focused and kept telling myself it took a lifetime to gain the weight and it will take time to lose it. I struggled not to be discouraged if the scale did not show the magic number but to keep moving my feet, keep moving forward with my progress. Finally, it was time for me to set a goal, a goal bigger than anything I had ever done, a goal to take me to the next level. I signed up for a Triathlon. I found by being around other people trying to live a healthy lifestyle and being involved with the different racing events, it just gave me more reason to stay on track with losing the weight. I reached my target weight of 199 pounds just before my first marathon on January 11, 2009. Having lost 155 pounds and finishing the Disney Marathon, I know now I can accomplish anything I set my mind to. Stay strong, Stay Focused, start moving your feet today. Jonathan www.JonathanFit.com