This archive report was first published on 4 September 2019.
Firefighter's 75-Pound Weight Loss Journey ¶
At 298 pounds, Lester Packard knew he needed to make a change. As a firefighter paramedic, he had always been active, but years of eating fast food had taken its toll.
Working 24-hour shifts, Packard would often rely on food as a substitute for his erratic sleep schedule. He'd scarf down fast food, huge plates of food, and even 24-ounce glasses of chocolate milk. 'This style of eating started to bleed over into my off days,' he says.
Overloading on calories took its toll, leaving Packard feeling like a 'brick.' He'd lost 50 pounds in seven years and was anxious about becoming a father. 'I was thinking of how scared I was to be a new father and what kind of a father I wanted to be,' he says.
With the support of his best friend and a trainer from First in Nutrition, Packard scaled back his diet and focused on nutrition. He learned how to eat during 24-hour shifts and road trips, and held himself accountable. In six months, he'd lost 30 pounds, and after a year and a half, he'd dropped 75 pounds.
'I feel awesome,' Packard says. 'I am the leanest I've ever been.' His blood pressure has gone down, his resting heart rate has decreased, and he sleeps better. Most importantly, he has energy to play with his son and enjoy being active with the family.
