Man Loses 87 Pounds, Another CNN Fit Nation Success Story
Tim Welch’s story is especially inspiring as he discusses how he was able to rouse himself from the complacency that had accompanied his weight gain, and to find the motivation and drive to make positive changes.
“I was thin and fit my whole life,” Welch remembers. “I was always active in sports such as running cross-country in high school and swimming on the swim team in college.”
Things started to change in 1995 after he graduated from college. Welch got a job, moved out of his parents’ house and began indulging in late-night meals with his friends.
“I remember specifically in 1995, my waist size went from a 34 [inches] to a 38 in a matter of months,” Welch said. “I got a size 36 pants to accommodate my waist size and I had to ask for a bigger size for Christmas because they were too tight.”
Welch was in total disbelief when he stepped on the scale and realized he was carrying 200 pounds on his 5-foot-10-inch frame.
Despite the initial shock, he continued to gain weight.
Even though he fit the medical definition of obese, Welch stayed physically active. He joined a master’s swim team, hiked and walked regularly. Because he was physically active, Welch thought he could keep eating whatever he wanted.
As his weight crept up, his desire to exercise waned.
Keep reading to discover how he was motivated to make changes.