Next month, January, is typically the time for resolutions, many of which involve health and fitness. I know some of you are thinking about starting a weight loss routine or new exercise regimen. You may have put on weight in the last year or two and become discouraged because losing the weight is much more difficult than putting it on. Don’t despair, there is hope.
Meet Sgt. Justin Vinson, who works for the Newport Police Department in Newport, Tennessee. Next month Justin will celebrate 11 years with the department. More importantly, he’ll celebrate his156 pound weight loss. Remarkable.
When Justin joined the department in January of 2004, he weighed 350 pounds. Justin is a big man, but doing police work weighing 350 pounds is a handicap and a hindrance. Jumping out of the squad car and chasing down bad guys is taxing enough on our bodies. Doing it while obese is a death sentence.
However, weighing 350 wasn’t the worst part - Justin continued to gain weight - so much so that when he stepped on the scale in October of 2011 his jaw dropped. The number that appeared on the device was a startling 386 pounds! That figure caused Justin to take a long look at himself in the mirror. When he did, he hardly recognized the man who stood before him, and for once he honestly assessed his condition. The conclusion: he was out of shape, obese, and lacked self-confidence. Not only that, but he’d most likely die early and not be there for his six-year-old daughter. “Who would walk her down the aisle when she grew older and married?” he wondered. At that moment, he resolved to change.
Justin knew it wouldn’t be easy. Since the age of 10 he’d been overweight, as had his sister, it ran in the family. Moreover when you’ve been so big for so long, change is a difficult dynamic to endure. But his commitment was strong, and each time he felt like quitting he simply thought about his daughter’s life without her dad. He wouldn’t let that happen.
He began working out at the gym 3-4 days per week, focusing on different body parts each day. In addition, cardio on the treadmill and elliptical, along with core/ab exercises, were performed each day. Justin also adjusted his diet and nutrition. He knew his food intake was out of control, so he began to fix his meals on Sunday and pre-package them for the entire week. He ate 5-6 meals per day, consisting of 3-4 ounces of protein and two cups of green veggies. Snacks were fruit, tuna, and egg whites, and he limited his dairy, processed foods, and sugars. When he drank milk, it was almond milk. He cut out all sodas and drank only water.
The results? Justin lost a total of 156 pounds and 70 inches. His body fat percentage went from a high of 38% down to 18%. Fantastic. Before he began his weight loss journey, Justin recalled how being overweight had even made it difficult to get dressed in his uniform. He had trouble getting in and out of the cruiser, and he was unable to fight a suspect or chase one down. Now, at 230 pounds, he says everything is much easier and he takes pride in his appearance. His clothes fit much better, and he feels confident in his job. Having eliminated junk food from his diet has changed the way he feels. Eating healthy has given him more energy.
Justin’s journey was even more impressive given that his department has no fitness standards. We don’t have a department gym, and our community center only has a small weight room. Most officers must find their own gyms and maintain their fitness based on individual motivation and goals.
“Anything is possible if you put your mind to it,” said Justin. “It just takes willpower and the first step.” He offers this advice: “Don’t let others discourage you. Turn their negativity into motivation and take pride in yourself. Only you can make the choice to change . . . no one can do it for you.” Sage advice from a man who had the courage to turn his life around.
I learned of Sgt. Vinson’s story from Facebook, on a page called, “Fit Cops.” If you visit the site you’ll find photos of cops, both men and women, who share their workout routines, motivation, and successes. I find it very inspirational and admire the men and women who take fitness seriously, recognizing it’s part of the job.
If you find yourself in a situation similar to Justin’s, don’t put off getting in shape. The time is now, not some time in the future. You’ll feel better, look better, perform better, and more importantly, it may save your life or that of one of your colleagues.
Stay safe, Brothers and Sisters!
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