"How I Outran Diabetes and Lost Over 100 Pounds"

DANIEL ELIAS, 31
Security Guard
Woodbridge, Virginia

HOW I GOT GOING: Every two years I'd have to go for a physical for work. It seemed like every time I went there was a problem--first it was high blood pressure, then sleep apnea, and then in 2012, they told me I had high blood sugar and potentially had type 2 diabetes. That really shocked me. The other signs were there, but once I heard "diabetes"--it runs in my family--I realized "I'm killing myself…I've got to stop this." I was 380 pounds at the time. The doctor gave me guidance on what to eat, and he told me to do at least 30 minutes of cardio each day.

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SECRET OF MY SUCCESS: Since I was so heavy, I knew I couldn't run, so I started with the elliptical until I felt like I could get on the treadmill. A few months later my in-laws entered me in a 5-K. At that point I'd lost 30 pounds. I finished in under 50 minutes. It felt hard and my knees hurt, but I was so proud of myself. At that point I realized this was something that I wanted to learn more about. So I started running on a treadmill, and now I'm hooked.

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HOW MY LIFE HAS CHANGED: I run at least three miles, two to three times a week. I've lost 104 pounds in a little over 11 months. I feel stronger, healthier. I'm just excited: It's like I have another chance at life. It's a whole new lifestyle that is so amazing and different. I wish I'd done this 20 years ago. Mostly it's just the little things. When I drive or go on a plane, I no longer have to wear the extender for the seatbelt so it can fit around my belly. I used to have to shop at a big and tall store, but now I can go to J.C. Penney or Macy's or Burlington Coat Factory--regular stores that carry size 3XL. My waist size went from 58 inches to 48 inches.

I WISH I'D KNOWN: I wish I had learned about what kind of shoes and socks you should buy. When I first went out in regular tennis shoes, I got a giant blister on the bottom of my foot. When I got fitted for running shoes--ones that helped with my pronation--I was just amazed at how different it felt. (RELATED: Learn How to Buy the Right Workout Shoes for You.)

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