Gaining weight during hard times made taking it off even harder
Jason Kitson
Name: Jason Kitson
Jason Kitson
Age: 35
Resides: Anthem
Quote: “Getting a physical really confirmed everything I knew, but what I didn’t want to know.”
Background: Jason Kitson led an active life until he graduated from college and an extra 10 pounds snuck up on him. For 10 years he stayed about the same weight, and then he landed a corporate job. “I sat behind a desk for the first time,” he says. “That was when the pounds really started packing on.” In 2008, he and his wife started divorce proceedings. “I really got heavy then,” he says.
The Challenge: Though he was hurting emotionally, Kitson joined a weight-loss program and got back into shape, but he had to leave the program, his weight crept back up and he found himself weighing more than 300 pounds. A combination of losing his job and living on a tight budget, caring for his four children and making poor eating decisions led to the gain.
The Turning Point: In November of 2009, Kitson stepped on the scale and was disappointed with the number he saw. “I knew something had to change,” he says. After a physical, he found out his blood pressure was 170 over 110. It was good timing, since the program that had helped him before was starting up again. With a combination of exercise, diet changes, life coaching and counseling he was able to begin his transformation. As the program neared its end at 12 weeks at the time of this interview, he had lost more than 70 pounds, his blood pressure lowered and he felt much healthier.
Staying Motivated: “As a single dad with four kids, I wanted to do it for them,” Kitson says. Leading by example, he’s happy to report that all his children are active in sports.
Goals: Kitson wants to maintain a low body-fat percentage and keep his weight in a healthy range. He is training for half marathons and enjoys running outdoors. Thought he doesn’t know if he can afford to stay in the program he’s sure about one thing. “I will stay active,” he says.