Chris McKenzie loses 130 pounds

Height: 6 feet 1 inch

Age: 42 years

How long he's kept it off: Over a year. He began January 2009 and met his goal September 2009.

Personal life: "I live in Suwanee with my wife, Bridget, and we have been married for 19 years," McKenzie said. "I have a son, Tony, 16, and a daughter, Nikki, 12. I am currently unemployed and have been off and on since 2008 when I was downsized."

Turning point: "My turning point came when I got laid off [from] my job in October 2008 and I was at my peak weight of 323 pounds," he said. "I went to the doctor for a physical and he stated I needed to lose some weight or the next step would be diabetes. [I already had] high blood pressure and high cholesterol. When he told me that, I knew I needed to change my life because I had seen my uncles and aunts pass away at an early age because of complications with weight."

Diet plan: "I learned to use an online journal called FitDay.com," he said. "I went from eating 6,500 calories a day to 1,400 to 1,500 calories per day." Breakfast is coffee and a breakfast sandwich. Lunch is a turkey or ham wrap. And dinner is lean protein with vegetables and a low-calorie ice cream bar for dessert.

Exercise routine: "My weight loss method included exercise DVDs," he said, including P90X. He works out twice per day for a total of two hours daily.

Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge during my weight loss was not focusing so much on the scale number but realizing how much better I feel each day," he said.

How life has changed: "My life has changed dramatically," he said. "I spend more time doing healthy things with my friends and family. I have also realized that if I can lose 130 pounds on my own -- I can do anything I put my mind to. The health effects were dramatic: I got the clean bill of health from my doctor and I no longer have to take any medication. My insurance company decreased my rates based on my A plus health rating...I would rather visit the produce section of the grocery store than the pharmacy section."

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 Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.