Check out this interview with one of our successful clients, Paul Evans! His weight loss journey led him to complete the Susan G Komen Race for the Cure! Congratulations Paul!

Starting Weight/ Current Weight: 392/ 361

What have been the keys to your success?  (Do you keep a food log?  Do you count carbs or calories or portions?)

The key to my success is knowing I can not do this alone and getting support through my nutrionist, TSFL support group, and actually trying to stick to it and follow the advice of my nutrionist it seems that weight comes off when I stick to the program. Also I found out I seem to do better when I have to work toward a goal. (Example: walking a 5k, or traveling on an airplane, or aiming for smaller clothes)

Is there any specific information that you were taught from your dietitian that “hit home” or aided you in your weight loss process?

The biggest thing that I have learned through the TSFL/ Medifast program is that “If normal eating got me overweight, I can never go back to normal again, and now I have to create a new normal to get and stay at optimal health.

What is your exercise routine?

I try to include a variety of different types of exercises. My favorite is water aerobics, Yobics (a combination of yoga and aerobics), and Jason’s Fit Kitchen (which is a website or you tube 10 minute workout), and just walking and other workout video’s

Have you seen health benefits from your progress?

I have more energy during the day. My clothes are getting bigger because I’m shrinking. Hopefully, by the end of summer when I go for my next Doctors visit I’m hoping if I lost more weight to be off my Diabetic medication Metformen.

What has changed in your life since you have lost weight (i.e. clothes sizes, energy levels, activity abilities, aches/ pains, etc?)

When I plateau the clothe-o-meter is a good reminder that my clothes are getting to big. I’m discovering a new like for healthy eating. My co-workers have noticed my energy level go up at work and I’m getting people noticing me more and making healthy comments about size now.

What keeps you coming to your appointments?

I know I can not do this by myself and I need the support of others.

What is the biggest change you have made in the last year?

The biggest change since losing the weight is that I was able to do a 5k (which is 3.2 miles) and I was able to walk it in 1 hour and 40 minutes. I did the 5k for Susan G Komen Race for the Cure.  June 5, 2010

What advice do you have for those seeking weight loss?

Realize that your weight is not your fault. The food industry has manipulated the taste of food so you will eat more than you need. Also, you can not get to your goal with out support.  Than if normal eating got you over weight, you have to find a new normal.

Additional comments (Please tell us about your race! We think this is amazing!):

When I started out the TSFL food program one of the things I noticed I had to do was to set goals in small stages. When I noticed the weight coming off and more than I have ever lost plus losing clothe sizes I decided one of my goals was to walk a 5k when I got close to losing my first 50lbs. I shared this goal with my family and they have been my biggest support system.  Than with perfect timing in setting my goal RBA came up with 5 day a week 30 minute a day exercise challenge which got me even more motivated for the 5k.  My initial fundraising goal was $125 which I got in about 2 days so I raised my goal to $500 and I was able to meet and exceed that goal by raising $616 for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  The night before the race I was so excited like the day before going to school for the first time or knowing it was almost Christmas morning I could not sleep the night before the big day. As I approached the first mile maker I noticed that there were short cuts to the finish line and I also though I’m only at the first mile I thought I was half way done with race.  It took me 40 minutes to get that first mile but I told myself I had to press onward to goal I said I was going to achieve. My brother and brother-in-law who ran the race came back to meet for the last mile to encourage me to finish the race. I could not have done it with out my family supporting me that day and meeting my mom at the finish line was a major accomplishment. I was in pain but it was well worth it to realize I can only take one step at time to finish the race and the pound will come off one pound at time when I’m focused on the finish line of being at my optimal health.