Leesburg man sheds more than 200 pounds | LoudounTimes.

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Leesburg man sheds more than 200 pounds

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Tim Schwarting brings out his 6 XL jacket, and says both he and his wife can fit inside of it. Follow Us
Three years ago, Schwarting could fit in the jacket by himself because he weighed just over on Twitter
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500 pounds.

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Leesburg man sheds more than 200 pounds | LoudounTimes.com 3/25/11 11:58 AM

Knowing the span of his life was being cut with every pound he gained, he decided he had to
do something. With the help of his wife, Gretchen, Schwarting joined Weight Watchers in April
2008 and by February 2011 he had lost 240 pounds on the Weight Watchers plan.
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“I just got to a point that my weight was just spiraling out of control,” Schwarting said. “I went on Facebook
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through these periods where I would lose 100 pounds and gain 100 pounds and I never found
something that really worked for me that would actually change my behavior.”

Tim, who turns 41 on March 3, works at the Fire Marshall’s office in Fairfax County and part-
time at Fair Oaks Hospital. His days at the hospital also prompted him to lose the weight—
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working in a healthy environment and not being healthy didn’t sit well with him. via RSS
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He credits his wife for giving him the push, she since had reached her goal weight with
attending Weight Watchers and doing the program.

“I had seen it work in her life and then I finally decided to start going to Weight Watchers with
her,” Schwarting said. “Weight Watchers taught me the exact limit…the amount of food I could Join Our
have in a day.” Email List
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He calls himself a food addict, and he needed help putting limits on what and how much he
ate.

“I binged and was eating with no real intent on what was necessary to survive,” Schwarting
said. “It became normal in my life; I’d overeat anything, from vegetables to fruit to fast food to
ice cream.”

After losing so much weight, he had to get an entirely new wardrobe. He said that he and his
family bought one piece at a time as he progressed through his weight lose.
The Loudoun Times-Mirror
In addition to the support of his family, but, he credits his religion to helping.

“I believe the power of prayer had a lot to do with my success,” Schwarting said.
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Dr. Karen Gabel Speroni, Director of Nursing Research & Chair Council at Inova Loudoun and Open the e-edition now.
Fair Oaks Hospitals says that the amount of weight Schwarting lost amounts to about a pound
a day over the course of three years. She says Schwarting lost the weight safely. With such
significant weight loss, there are health risks. But, she says there are more risks if the weight View our other print publications available online.
isn’t lost. Speroni says that with weighing that much, the risk of getting diabetes and arthritis
is so much greater.

That is certainly a good target weight range; we like to see a range of 2-3lb a week lost. Any
weight lost should be done with medical supervision. The weight loss needs to be done with a
balanced diet,” Speroni said. Weekly Hello Loudoun Bridal Guide
Homes Guide County 2010-11 2011

Speroni provided more good tips for people who are trying to lose weight is to get enough
sleep, drink plenty of water, eat fresh and avoid foods that are processed or ones that are in
boxes, and exercise at least once a week.

“Get enough sleep, so many adults with their hectic lives they mistake being tired for hunger. 2011 Future Health and Summer
When we’re tired our body thinks we’re hungry. Likewise I think many times we mistake being Leaders Beauty 2011 Camps 2011
thirsty for being hungry,” Speroni said.

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Leesburg man sheds more than 200 pounds | LoudounTimes.com 3/25/11 11:58 AM

Schwarting, here, just

over 500 pounds, started
to lose weight after his
fourth son was born.
Photo Courtesy/Gretchen
Schwarting 2010 2010 Taste Coming
Home & Garden of Loudoun Soon

Comments

Tue, Mar 15 at 02:07 PM by JustSayin':

just one day you thought wow i need to loose some weight? ....like you had no
idea how big you had gotten? like your wife never said hey hon….you know…or
did it take a doctors visit with the dr telling you hey your preset diabetes and
basically one meal away from death? PLEASE, that’s what it took for my
husband to get thin, now really how much is weight watchers paying you?

Mon, Mar 14 at 01:44 PM by Robert C. Brown:

Congratulations Tim! What a testimony and inspiration. I am so glad that

through the help of our Lord and Weight watchers you have gotten down to a
healthy weight.

Blessings,

Rob Brown (Cross Current Alum)

Wed, Mar 09 at 09:35 AM by brighteyez:

This is an amazing story that has me looking at Weight Watchers now. God is
Good!

Wed, Mar 09 at 08:02 AM by Brian:

Tim, You should be very proud of your accomplishments.

Tue, Mar 08 at 09:15 AM by C:

Congrats Tim! I love the WW plan! You are a great inspiration to a lot of
people.

Mon, Mar 07 at 01:51 PM by Jeanne:

Wonderful story! Tim is an encouragement to the rest of us who are trying to

do the same. I wish him many more healthy years.

Fri, Mar 04 at 10:55 PM by Jenny Austin:

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Leesburg man sheds more than 200 pounds | LoudounTimes.com 3/25/11 11:58 AM

My,My,Tim - When I saw this article on the internet I had no idea it would be
someone that I know. You are overcoming one of the most difficult struggles
there is in life, you look absolutely amazing and I know you feel on top of the
world. I am really proud of you. I miss seeing you and your family. I didn’t
know that you and Gretchen have four sons. Congratulations to you and
Gretchen and all those boys. My love to all.

Fri, Mar 04 at 07:48 PM by Evelyn Ostergren:

That’s so wonderful, Tim. I just lost almost 40 pounds on Weight Watchers

since June and have reached my goal. I gave away 12 (ONE DOZEN) plastic
bags of too big clothes.
BTW, I’m Dara Lightle’s mom.

Fri, Mar 04 at 05:13 PM by NONAME:

Careful! I lost 130 pounds and gained almost all of it back!

Fri, Mar 04 at 04:20 PM by Stewart and Susan:

We love seeing less of you Tim. You and Gretchen show us all that teamwork
and determination can work miracles!!

Fri, Mar 04 at 04:17 PM by DWS:

Way to go Tim! You look amazing! You are an inspiration for all those Weight
Watchers members and everyone else who needs to shed pounds! The plan
really works when the person is determined. Great Job!

Fri, Mar 04 at 04:13 PM by Susan:

@MP…what is your question supposed to mean?

WAY TO GO Tim…Congratulations!! That’s the best gift you could have ever
given yourself and your family!!

Fri, Mar 04 at 11:04 AM by MP:

Congratulations on losing the weight! I just wonder, did you give your Lord &
Savior credit when you gained all the weight?

Fri, Mar 04 at 10:16 AM by kym:

way to go… u are an inspiration to me as everyday I battle to lose weight..

Fri, Mar 04 at 08:54 AM by Pete:

That’s amazing Tim. I’m only trying to lose about 40 lbs. and that puts how
difficult this must have been for you into perspective.

Fri, Mar 04 at 08:51 AM by The Scheel Duo:

A great story and an inspiration to all who struggle with food addictions We
agree with every comment posted by Trudi!! This is a great boost for Weight
Watchers. The White House Mrs. should take note!!

Fri, Mar 04 at 07:35 AM by james fedick:

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Leesburg man sheds more than 200 pounds | LoudounTimes.com 3/25/11 11:58 AM

Way to go tim! It takes so much strength and self control. Proud of you:)

Fri, Mar 04 at 04:55 AM by Ben:

Hey Tim, excellent job! You’re an inspiration to all weight wacthers around the
world! Now go get yourself a treat….like a Mustang GT!

Thu, Mar 03 at 10:19 PM by Alex Santana:

What a great story! Way to go Tim! It must have been such hard work! Nice to
see such a positive story for a change! Hats off not only to Tim, but his family
too who supported him! As Billy Crystal would say…You rook mahveolous!

Thu, Mar 03 at 09:04 PM by Tim:

Man, I can’t even imagine how good he must feel everyday after dropping that
kind of weight. Your body must be rejoicing under the reduced stress as well.

Thu, Mar 03 at 08:39 PM by Trudi Schwarting:

My Tim is a strong and gentle man. He is a perfect and unfailingly supportive

son, a loving and giving husband, a patient and kind dad, an understanding
and helpful brother and a loyal friend. Even more, he is a constantly devoted
servant of his Lord, Jesus Christ. I am more proud than I can say.

Thu, Mar 03 at 08:11 PM by Toni Schwarting:

Tim is an amazing inspiration to so many people and the greatest part is that
he gives the credit where it is due - to our Heavenly Father!

Thu, Mar 03 at 04:46 PM by Selena Miller Moore:

Congrats, Tim! So proud of you (and Gretchen). Much love to you both.

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