Big loser finds success, regains health

DEXTER, Mo. -- Approaching 53 years old and weighing in at 304 pounds, Tim Ward knew he was in trouble. In January 2012, his wife, Kendra, came across an article about the local Regional Healthcare Foundation's Fitness Challenge.

"Kendra was concerned about my health, and we were in agreement that if I was to be around for my children, I needed to get into shape," he says, looking back this week at the start of a phenomenal weight loss program that spanned nearly five months.

The Foundation's challenge consists of four-member teams competing for not necessarily the greatest number of pounds lost, but the greatest percentage of body weight. While most teams are comprised of friends or work colleagues, Ward decided to join up on his own, and was placed on an existing team.

And so, on Jan. 5, 2012, Ward began a weight loss journey that would surpass any other sponsored by the Foundation and likely one that surpassed all expectations, including his own.

"I had been eating too much junk food and foods that were high in calories, fat and sodium," Ward explains. "These included potato chips, snack cakes, and way too many fried foods."

Ward's weight was not only affecting his general disposition and outlook on life -- it was affecting his health. The proof was in the numbers. His cholesterol was elevated, as were his blood sugar and sodium levels, and he was on medication to control high blood pressure.

"I had really let myself go and had spiraled out of control," Ward says. "I made up my mind that I was going to do something."

Ward's team consisted of a married couple, Scott and Angie Laden and Clay Robinson -- a team Ward credits with helping him along with weight loss effort.

"They were as dedicated to succeeding as I was. We'd text each other encouragement, as it was a very tough process."

Ward's eating habits changed dramatically. Gone were the high fat, high calorie, fried foods. In their place came fruits and vegetables, grilled chicken and grilled fish, healthy nuts including pistachios and almonds -- and no French fries!

I really love French fries, and I missed them the most," he said. "I'd use them as a reward food on occasions such as my February birthday when I turned 53."

And then there was exercise, and a lot of it! He began slowly, doing five minutes each morning on his elliptical trainer and added one minute each day until he reached 30 minutes.

"I did this so as not to get burned out in the beginning. I also added low weight, high repetition weight lifting that included bench presses, bicep curls, tricep extensions, leg extensions and hamstring curls. I'd also walk and play basketball on Monday nights throughout the contest."

Ward's commitment and hard work began to pay off almost immediately. And when the weight began dropping, he began feeling better -- both physically and mentally. The weight loss was consistent, usually averaging just over 20 pounds each month. He, along with all the contestants in the Fitness Challenge, weighed in faithfully each Thursday, and each week the scale told the tale.

When the final weigh-in date arrived on May 31, 2012, just 21 weeks after he made the commitment to get in shape, Tim Ward stepped on the scales and weighed in at 195.5 pounds, a full 108.5 pounds lighter than when his journey began.

A proud loser, Ward says the weight loss has changed his life.

"The total weight loss has really made me feel great. I'm able to exercise regularly without any problems; I have more energy and sleep better than I have in years, and I'm no longer on blood pressure medication."

Along with crediting his fellow team members, Ward also extended his appreciation to the Foundation that made the challenge possible.

"The program's coordinator, Leveda Scates, and the Regional Healthcare Foundation are a vital part of the community and I'm a living example of the help needed to defeat obesity."

Ward, a financial consultant at Southern Bank, realized recently just how drastic a change he's made in his appearance.

"A customer of the bank who had not come in since last October came in recently and didn't even recognize me. He thought I was new at the bank!"

The best outcome, though, has been regaining his health. Ward has two grown children, one of whom is expected to deliver his first grandchild in the fall. The marriage of Tim and Kendra Ward is a second for each of them, and after several trials and heartbreaks, a son, Evan, their "miracle baby," arrived three years ago against all odds.

It was with his wife and children in mind, and especially his young son and expected grandchild, that Ward made the commitment to regain his health, and in doing so, regained a new appreciation for every day ahead.