I Lost Weight: Daniel Alvarez Started Walking And Swimming And Lost Nearly 280 Pounds

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Name: Daniel Alvarez
Age: 50
Height: 6'0"
Before Weight: 475 pounds

How I Gained It: In 2000, I was working in a hotel in Tampa, Florida. They gave me access to a buffet for employees where you could eat anything you wanted, anytime you wanted. I also ate at "all you can eat" restaurants. Over the years, I began gaining weight. In less than seven years, I weighed more than 475 pounds from eating, eating and more eating. I did almost no exercise, just ate and ate all day -- fast food, burgers, pizza, hot dogs.

Breaking Point: Six years ago, my grandson Keith turned 2 years old. I realized I wanted to see him growing, I wanted to live.

How I Lost It: I started doing a lot of cardio. At the beginning, it was hard for me. When I started swimming, I couldn't even make one lap. Now I'm doing a mile without stopping. I couldn't walk one mile; now I'm doing five or six miles at a time, sometimes twice a day. I kept at it every day for two years, and I saw my weight going down. That was the best motivation, to see the number on the scale going down. When I got down to around 400, I thought maybe my goal would be 300 pounds. When I reached 300 pounds, I thought maybe 200. I'm 6 feet, so I think 190 will be my final goal.

Not having the time is not an excuse -- every single person on this planet has 24 hours in a day, and no one is busy for all 24 hours. You have to look for the time for a better life, but it’s worth it.

I didn't change very much about my diet. Instead, I really count all the food I eat and then I make sure I burn it off with exercise, although I know if I ate healthier I wouldn't have to do all the exercise that I do.

I feel like a new person taking all this weight off my body. I have three grandkids now who I am enjoying with all my heart. I’ve improved my lifestyle greatly, doing things that, with my weight, I could not do. I don't get as tired and I jump out of bed in the morning like it's nothing. I'm completely different. I'm 50 years old and you look at me and say, "Wow!"

You need to find your "why" inside of you. Everyone needs to lose weight for the right reasons, otherwise you will fail. If I can do it, anyone can do it.

After Weight: 195 pounds

The Huffington Post publishes photographs as they are submitted to us by our readers.

As told to Sarah Klein

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Comments

[bwceng11]

01:15 PM on 07/25/2012

I met Dan at the hotel where he works. He is full of energy and has a great life story. His weight loss is real and the method so easy but nothing comes without hard work. Dan I hope to see you again soon.

[angler725]

07:55 AM on 07/23/2012

Very funny. What is the magic number? "Oh gee, I hit 478 lbs?? Well that's the last straw. I was ok with 477, but this is just terrible". How do they wash their butts? Yuk.

[Frankrodz]

08:32 AM on 07/22/2012

Congratulations! Danny...
Losing 280 lbs. is a big deal, not the same as my 23 lbs. But big changes are possible when you focus on your health and your family...
Keep up the good work....
Frank

[Eli Rivera]

12:31 AM on 07/22/2012

Go, Danny! Your people from ADC are with you. Keep it up, and God bless you. And, by the way, I have lost about 45 myself, so, you are my hero. He he he.

[Vimala Nowlis]

04:49 PM on 07/21/2012

Why was he 480 pounds and eat all day at all-you-can-eat? Greed and Gluttony at the worst! Where was he living in the last few decades that he did not know obessity is dangerous to his health? Under a rock on the moon?
If you dig a big hole yourself and fall in, don't pretend you are a hero when you make an effort to try to climb out.
Americans, if you need a hero and a role model, don't look in the gutter so you can feel better about yourself. Look to the stars and reach beyond your grasp so you can be better!

[fuzzyclothes1961]

08:17 PM on 07/21/2012

YOU ARE A COLD HEARLESS WITCH. YOU ONLY KNOW BITS AND PIECES & YOU SIT THERE & JUDGE HIM!!!!!!!!! BUZZ OFF WITCH!!!

[naomiwas]

12:30 AM on 07/22/2012

You are Heartless no good person, you need to get a life of you own, you don't know what cause this man to want to eat. Stop judging people you heartless B----ch.

[jumpinjohn011]

03:32 PM on 07/21/2012

Al Roker? LOL

[ejaydoggy3]

03:20 PM on 07/21/2012

Impressive, Sir!

[Dawn Fabbri]

03:10 PM on 07/21/2012

Daniel what an amazing story of determination. I am glad you reached that point before you became really ill. You look fabulous, very handsome. Fast foods have been the downfall of America. You can eat the things you like just in a healthy proportion...I hope you will continue to maintain,learn and live a long life

[Leonardo Malfatti]

02:48 PM on 07/21/2012

- Wow Daniel! I loved your story man!! Very inspiring, congratulations Big hugs from your brazilian friend... Leonardo -

[seriouslyfalling]

02:31 PM on 07/21/2012

Congratulations! And thank you for sharing your story. Your success may be just what someone who is struggling needs to motivate them towards a new beginning!

[joannechristie]

02:26 PM on 07/21/2012

Great Job. You should be so proud of yourself. Just maintain the wgt. loss by being positive & loving yourself.

[dinabow]

02:17 PM on 07/21/2012

Daniel was a nice looking man when he was heavy, but now he is just handsome. He deserves alot of credit, he really worked hard for this result. You know his heart and other organs are happy with all his hard work. It's really heartwarming to see someone with the determination to work hard for the results they long for. You go Daniel, you are a wonderful role model. You deserve a medal. Keep working at it and don't turn around and go back to your old habits, they would have killed you. "WINNING" !!!!!!

[pucpaul]

02:14 PM on 07/21/2012

Good job dude! Could you imagine being the manager at an all you can eat buffet and then see him coming, then see him today

[Waltcigs]

01:59 PM on 07/21/2012

We americans are such pigs.

[Waltcigs]

02:57 PM on 07/21/2012

Why is it all you fat people stick together?

[eileenyo]

01:50 PM on 07/21/2012

Daniel, you look great!!!! I am so proud of you for wanting something so bad and seeing it through...that shows great will and determination...you are proof that nothing is impossible if you truly believe in yourself.....wishing you continued success....

EileenY