Engineer/Engineering Manager/Chief Engineer, 53, 6ft 2in, married with an 8 year old daughter, and a 26 year old son.

Achieved 234 lbs => less than 185 lbs

Never ever had a problem with eating anything I like or with weight. However, as the years have passed my weight seems to jump incrementally 5-10 lbs every 5 years or so and then stay steady. Reaching 234 lbs in the last jump, the BMI calculator said I was obese. YEAH RIGHT! But I was having to search high and low for 18 1/2 collar shirts; having trouble bending down to pull on my socks; my photos show a pot belly! A colleague of mine (not much older than me) had a debilitating stroke. Hmmm... time to take action.

I stumbled across www.Fatsecret.com when searching for free apps on my iTouch. Being an engineer, I know you cannot control what you don't measure. Fatsecret is perfect for measuring diet and exercise.

I have a simple diet philosophy: don't go hungry; monitor calories in detail; cardio exercise to keep calories burned higher than calories in (500 cals diff. per day = 1 lbs lost per week) and get fit; minimize sugar intake; avoid junk food and eat healthy, non-processed foods as much as possible; adjust the foods to optimize protein, fat, carbs and fiber intake; eat healthy snacks between meals; weigh-in daily; enjoy the process of losing weight, getting fit and looking good.

There's no magic bullet for weight loss; not pills, not special foods - just simple calorie control, regular exercise and a healthy diet. [Though I do recommend daily Vitamin D and Omega-3 fish oil supplements.]

Oh, and never give up! Consistent results are achieved only through sheer determination. It's tough and you have to be tough - actually freakin' tough!