Fitness makeover earns Post Falls man 10 grand

POST FALLS – When a friend saw James “AJ” Sims recently, he took a double take.

“You’ve lost a fifth-grader,” he gasped.

His assessment was nearly right on: In the last eight months, Sims has dropped more than 60 pounds, transforming himself from a laze-around-the-house type to a fitness and nutrition fan. His 5-foot-8-inch frame now weighs a trim 159 pounds.

“I came to the realization that I needed to do something,” the Post Falls resident said.

In October, Sims’ efforts won him $10,000 from the fitness Web site MillionDollarBody.com, which is sponsoring a competition to give away more than $1 million this year, inspiring people to lose weight and get in shape. Sims also is eligible for a $250,000 grand prize that will be awarded in March for the best turnaround story.

“For me, this is a chance to show other people that it can be done,” Sims said. “You find out someone next door (lost weight), it makes it more doable.”

The 33-year-old father of two struggled with weight since junior high, when he weighed in at 144 pounds. In high school, though, he leaned out through wrestling. Then in college, he started packing on the pounds again, the result of too little exercise and too many empty calories.

By 2000, he had put on 80 pounds. His waist was 42 inches at his belly button, and his 34-inch waist pants were nearly cutting him in half, Sims said.

It took an innocent comment from his daughter for Sims to realize that he needed to change.

After dinner, 3-year-old Hailey’s tummy was feeling taut from being full. She pointed to her father’s belly and asked if he felt the same way. The problem: He hadn’t eaten dinner yet. Her comment resonated with him and reminded him of how exhausted he’d been merely carrying his daughter on his shoulders for a few minutes during a recent visit to his parents.

“From the mouth of babes,” said Sims, who works for a local Internet service company.

So last April, Sims began a diet and exercise routine that focused on portion control and healthy food choices. He began with 30 minutes of exercise a day. After the 30-day mark, he’d already dropped 30 pounds.

“My goal was to get healthy, and I want to keep that and improve on it,” he said.

He only allows himself one “cheat meal” a month, such as pizza or a night out with the guys. Instead of cravings for chocolate, he now hungers for vegetables, he said.

It’s a far cry from his past routine of shoveling hash browns and gravy and abstaining from veggies, except for canned green beans.

The difference shows in his lean and toned physique and his increased energy levels, Sims said. He also has a newfound confidence.

“The biggest thing I’ve noticed with him is he’s happy,” said his wife, Amy Sims. “His outlook on life, it’s like he has a new pair of glasses.”

The transformation has prompted Sims to take on other challenges. He just completed his bachelor’s degree after a transcript error left him a class shy of graduating years ago. He’s considering doing a triathlon, and he dreams of someday completing an Ironman competition.

“Now I’m motivated,” Sims said. “I feel great because I’ve changed my lifestyle, and it feels right.”