Bob Tabor of Gainesville loses 90 pounds

Height: 5 feet 9 inches

Age: 57 years

How long he's kept it off: He started in August 2009 and reached his current weight in July.

Personal life: "My wife, Ann, and I live in Gainesville, next door to our son, daughter-in-law and our two granddaughters," Tabor said. "I am the minister of music at Buford Church of God in Buford."

Turning point: "The turning point for me was after a routine physical in August of 2009," he said. "My blood work numbers were scary. In fact, my doctor wanted to put me on high blood pressure meds immediately. He also had me see a cardiologist. This really scared me. I asked my doctor for six weeks to see if I could turn things around by losing weight. At my six-week checkup, I had lost 25 pounds and my numbers were showing improvement. At my six-month checkup, my blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides were all in the perfect range. I also realized that I was cheating my family by not being able to do the things I wanted to do -- I love them and want to be around for them."

Diet plan: "My doctor told me no sugar, no potatoes, no pasta and no bread. I followed that religiously for the first four months," he said. "I have gradually added back into my diet whole-wheat breads and pastas on occasion."

Exercise routine: He started walking in August 2009. "All I could do was 15 minutes," he said. "I gradually added until I was walking our entire subdivision, about two miles, five days a week."

Biggest challenge: "Prayer has helped me refocus," he said. "From the first day, I prayed that God would help me to keep my focus and to take my life back. ... I really felt like I was not in control and that food was taking over."

How life has changed: "I have so much more energy. My body craves to walk and do things that I would have said no to a year ago. My doctor is so thrilled with me. ... Not a service at church goes by without someone in the congregation coming to me to comment on my weight loss. My weight loss has been encouraging to many of them as well."

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 e-mail 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 e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.