I am a former fat guy trying to make it to fit guy. At my peak, I was 285 pounds. I couldn't sleep on my back and my self-esteem was gone. I felt like the only way I could through life was to be the likable fat guy. Mirrors and cameras were avoided at all costs.

I used diet shakes and moderate exercise to take off 30 pounds in about a year's time. That was an improvement, but I was still pudgy, didn't like the way I looked in photos and still couldn't sleep on my back.

It's not been over a decade since I started my journey, but I've dropped around 18 pounds. I'm finally starting to ... well, to HAVE a shape. I've still got more weight I want to lose, but I'm liking the way I look in clothes and don't mind getting in photographs so much. And I'm FINALLY sleeping on my back, which is amazing!

I never thought I would be below 250, and I'm now easily maintaining below 240. So, I believe I can be the the fit guy I've always wished I could be. I'm exercising harder, working up a real sweat, and I'm using fatsecret to really keep an eye on my calories. My goal: as close to 200 pounds as I can get.

I'm the guy who never exercised and just thought it was my destiny to be an overweight person. But I've found an exercise routine that I can do (6 days a week!) and I've made positive changes in how I eat. It's not a diet: I'm in this for life... so I can LIVE! :-) But I am one of those guys who says, "If I'm doing it, you can do it!" Best of luck, everyone!