The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Success story
Andy Kim, 39. Weight lost: 41 pounds
Former weight: 194 pounds
Current weight: 153 pounds
Height: 5 feet 9 inches
How long he’s kept it off: Started in September; reached his current weight last month.
Personal life: “I’m a business intelligence consultant at Key2 Consulting,” Kim said. “I enjoy playing guitar, drumming and fishing. I live in Peachtree Corners.”
Turning point: “The reasons why I decided to do the diet were mostly health reasons: bad cholesterol numbers, especially dangerously high triglycerides for which I am currently taking prescription medication. My triglycerides level was off the charts at more than 5,000 when the normal range is less than 200. I also had other symptoms like elevated blood pressure. I was the heaviest, or most obese, I have ever been in my life and was constantly trending upward until I peaked at 194 pounds in early 2019,” Kim said. “Family and friends were constantly but politely nudging me to exercise and lose weight for my health and appearance. I could physically see and feel the effects of obesity on my body. … My body felt sluggish, and I would get tired easily when doing physical activities.” When his sister recommended metabolic specialist Nancy Masoud (lockedIN Wellness), he gave her a call and found her guidance helpful.
Diet plan: “I had a very poor diet,” Kim said. “I was eating out a lot, eating fast food and frozen food.” He cut out carbs and sugars and focused on protein and vegetables. Because he’s not a breakfast eater, he ate more protein at his other meals. Lunch is often a grilled chicken salad with balsamic dressing and for dinner a poke bowl, a Hawaiian dish, with salad or half rice.
Exercise routine: “I do not exercise — that is very surprising for me about this diet, that there’s zero exercise involved, and I lost weight. … Now that I’m back down, I do have more motivation to exercise. … You are what you eat. Just because you lose weight doesn’t mean you have to go out there and pump iron,” Kim said.
Biggest challenge: “I guess the obvious is the temptation of eating restricted foods on the diet,” he said. “I did cheat, but I was able to keep it to a very minimum amount. I cheated on like three meals or so. … Definitely sweets (are a challenge). I have a sweet tooth.”
How life has changed: “I’m a single guy and I’m getting more attention. … I do want to get married and have children. Hopefully, this helps me achieve my goal,” Kim said. “… I feel healthier, and I have more energy.” His tips: “I lost a lot of weight with zero exercise. If I lost 38 pounds in three months, that shows the difference a healthy diet alone can make — I hope to be an inspiration to others.”
Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.