Why It's Never Too Late to Exercise

Dec. 8 -- Mark Daroczy has had a seesaw battle with his weight for most of his life, but two years ago it looked like his fight was hopelessly lost.

He weighed 320 pounds, and at age 28, his knees were already beginning to ache from the excess weight he carried. At 6 feet 6 inches tall, Daroczy, a supermarket vendor salesman from the Bronx, N.Y., has never been considered a small man, but he had had previous success against in his battle against the bulge. At one point in college, he was a devoted gym rat, maintaining a workout regimen and keeping his weight between 260 and 275 pounds.

But Daroczy could never find a diet that worked for him. He liked red meats, and he often felt hungry. By New Year's Eve 2000, he had stopped exercising entirely and was heavier than ever. Both Daroczy and his loved ones knew he could look better, and he promised himself he would get back in shape.

"I made a New Year's resolution," Daroczy said. "I got tired of the constant ridicule from my mom and my brother. I could never find a diet that suited me. … There were little things, too. Like I had always sweated a lot and I learned that was related to my weight."

Accompanied by his younger brother, Chris — who didn't suffer from weight problems and adhered religiously to his own exercise routine — Daroczy returned to the gym and resumed an exercise routine. He modified his diet, reducing the number of carbohydrates he consumed and eliminating soda from his meals. Daroczy's brother was not only his workout partner but also his drill sergeant. He made sure Daroczy stuck to a consistent routine.

"He [Chris] made sure I got up [in the mornings], dragged me out of bed and made me go on days I didn't feel like waking up," Daroczy said.

Today, Daroczy says he is down to a comfortable 235 pounds. His waist, once 52 inches, is now 34 inches. He gives hope to those who think they've been away from the gym too long and are beyond help.