“The difference in the shape I’m in is just crazy,” he said with an excited chuckle. “I’m almost completely unrecognizable now.”

Paul used to wear a size 44 pair of pants, and he’s now down to a 32, but even those are a bit too big on him as he continues dashing down the road to weight loss.

Paul had been overweight most of his life. He was prediabetic, suffering from sleeping problems, and morbidly obese. Surgery saved him from developing further comorbidities and racking up medical bills.

Prior to approaching the Weight Loss Institute of Columbus Regional Health, Paul felt fatigued and defeated by everyday tasks. One of the big wake-up calls for him came when he could no longer fit in his dragster car, which he races in competitions across the country.

After going through the Weight Loss Institute’s Medically-Supervised Weight Loss (MSWL) program and bariatric surgery, Paul is faster than ever — not just in his car but on foot as well. He runs three days a week, and he can sprint up his workplace’s 10-flight stairwell without getting winded or breaking a sweat.

Whether he’s at work or on the racetrack, Paul has a new zest for life. The happiness in his voice rings loud and clear as he details the magnitude of his transformative experience. “Certain things that used to be uncomfortable are so much fun now,” he said. “This weight loss journey has been a life-changing milestone for me. I can’t express just how great it feels to know that I’m healthy.”