ustin's outgoing mayor can be found at each city event and celebration all year round, whether or not to read a proclamation or support local organizations. Yet Tom Stiehm didn't feel very outgoing last August. He took an image with his red meizitang strong version daughter, Christine Stiehm, following a dunk tank event and didn't like what he saw. He had gained dozens of pounds in the last 24 years, but he didn't realize just how much it had affected him until he saw himself within the photo at about 270 pounds.

"I said, guess what happens, I gotta get healthy," Tom said. "I just decided it was time."

The outcome of his executive decision: a lot of walks, a lot more fresh food and lean meats, and a new lease on life.

Nowadays, greater than 100 pounds lighter, 62-year-old Tom is near to the end of his goal to weigh between 155 and 160 pounds. He's feeling more fit every day and his decision to live healthier is paying down.

"I've lost significant amounts of weight before, but nothing beats this," he said.

Tom made his diet change as permanent as you possibly can when he decided to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and lean meats. Which meant an end to late-night snack runs and stops at the Dairy Queen and other shops in the evening. Tom's wardrobe also helped motivate him.

"You just enjoy dressing better," he explained. "I've weighed this before, and so i have all the garments. Now, every time I go down a size, I just wear clothes I haven't worn for Fifteen years."

One of his favorite new habits is his long walks with his dogs Annie and Harper. Together, the 3 travel a minimum of three to four miles every single day, which Tom said would be a habit he acquired within the Marines, which always made everyone run three miles at the beginning of their training "no appear shape you're in."

Tom has struggled with his weight for a long time, though he hasn't weighed near to 160 pounds in additional than 2 decades. He also beat back prostate cancer several years ago, which was an additional incentive for him to lose weight. Yet his healthy choices have paid off: He used to take four medications for his blood pressure level, but doctors have weaned him off his prescriptions since he went set for an appointment in January.

Tom's wife, Sarah, has noticed the modification as well. She's joined Tom in the diet plans and has lost more than 25 pounds herself and "feels more like 40" nowadays.

"I just figured if he would get it done, then I was going to get it done too," she said.

Tom knows an eating plan change is difficult work and it's always tough to have a diet going. That's why he calls his weight reduction a "lifestyle change," as he doesn't plan to return to eating so much junk -- though he and the wife do treat themselves about once a week.

He's more worried about maintaining his weight in the future. He plans to exercise throughout the winter and that he may even attend one of his daughter's yoga classes in the Yoga Studio of Austin. He's happy to set a good example for Austin residents, but he likes setting an example for his extended family more, as a number of 2 day diet his siblings have begun diets of their own since he began to shed weight.

For the time being, he enjoys being back down to about 160 pounds, though he doesn't quite understand what his future fitness plans will hold.

"Ask me again in a year," he said with a laugh. "Ask me again in 5 years."