Weight Loss Success Story at  

Vitals: Dave Kahn, 39, Morton, IL

Occupation: Chef

Height: 5'5"

Time Required to Reach Goal: 3 years

Weight Before: 330

Weight After: 170

 

Lesson Learned: Healthy eating can fit into any lifestyle, even if food is your livelihood.

Secret Weapon: Researching weight loss provides more resources to fight the battle.

 

The Gain

High-school sports kept Kahn in shape, but his love of cooking changed things. "I began working at a restaurant full-time while attending culinary school," says Kahn. "I ended up working long shifts without eating a full meal, just picking as I went." After work, he'd hit the late-night drive-thrus and then ride the couch. Not surprisingly, his weight ballooned to 330.

 

The Change

Along with the weight gain came early-onset osteoarthritis, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and sleep apnea. When Kahn's doctor told him he wouldn't live to see 40 at that rate, it scared him thin. "It was a definite wake-up call," he says. He started with daily walks around his neighborhood before work, and soon joined a local gym. Kahn also overhauled his diet, learning to love whole-grain bread, brown rice, and skim milk.

 

The Lifestyle

Kahn lifts weights 5 days a week and also runs 7 miles. Now loyal to produce and lean protein, he eats every 2 to 3 hours to fuel his body. Kahn's work as a chef has empowered his lifestyle change. "I've learned to make healthier recipes and not let my passion endanger my health," he says.

 

The Reward

For a man once forced to skip amusement-park rides and use a seatbelt extender on airplanes, riding roller coasters and relaxing in the middle seat are simple but meaningful rewards. Once negative and self-critical, Kahn has gained confidence both in his personal life and in the kitchen.

 

Dave's Tips

Exercise on the go. When you're traveling, look for hotels with the best gyms. (Locate one at www.fitforbusiness.com).

 

Write it down. I kept a food journal to motivate myself. It's a lot harder to rationalize a double cheeseburger if you know you'll have a black-and-white record of it.

 

Spread the word. Let your friends know you're trying to trim down. They'll be less likely to unknowingly tempt you with high-calorie foods.

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