Despite a lifetime of being what he calls a quitter, Jonathon Walters stuck with a healthier lifestyle to lose 200 pounds in nine months. Read below for more of his story.
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
Walters weighed in at 477 pounds at the doctor's office in July 2013.
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
Walters' father died unexpectedly after a heart attack in May 2013 at the age of 53. His death motivated Walters to diet and exercise, he says.
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
Walters started walking short distances last summer. Soon, he was up to 3 miles a day and was down 50 pounds.
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
In more recent months, Walters has taken up running. He now runs 10 miles a day.
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
Walters says his wife and three sons are a big source of motivation as well. Imagining their lives without him "makes every ounce of effort I put in worth it."
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
This before and after photo shows how Walters looked near the start of his diet and how he looks today.
courtesy jonathon walters
Father's death motivates weight loss —
Walters, who currently weighs 270 pounds, is determined not to quit. He plans to lose more weight at a slower pace over the rest of the year.
