Frisco man encourages weight loss with ‘Fat Boy Snacks’

While close to half of Americans make one or more resolutions at the start of the New Year, a quarter of them will have given up by the first week, according to the Proactive Change organization.

Frisco resident Chris Kern became part of a rare group who welcomed the 2011 New Year with the satisfaction of working on a goal for an entire year. Kern, 38, is down 120 pounds from 325 pounds in 2009.

He has been sharing his journey on a blog, www.fatboysnacks.blogspot.com, with such success that the name does not really apply anymore. The father of three is now training for a half-marathon and is off his blood pressure medication after more than 10 years. He said he hopes his story will offer inspiration to residents, because his mentality about weight loss is about as simple as it can get.

“All I had to do was change my eating and pick up some exercise,” Kern said. “You just have to flip your switch and say this is not this agonizing process. It’s not expensive.”

Instead of going on a fad diet or working out with the “boot camp” mentality, Kern started by figuring out where a normal weight range would be for a man of his height and age. He settled on a target range around 200 pounds and calculated how many calories would be necessary to maintain that weight.

“By getting my body accustomed to eating the maintenance level, about 2,200 calories a day, I wouldn’t overeat,” Kern said.

Exercise was used to accelerate the weight-loss process. Kern frequented the Frisco Athletic Center, picking up activities as he was able. In the summer, he spent more time swimming at the community pool. As the weather turned colder, he started to run outside more with guidance from a “Couch to 5K” program he signed up for online.

“I joke that I never used to run – even to dinner,” Kern said. “I was amazed that within three months I went from never running to a 5K. I still don’t think I love it to death, but I like that I can burn a lot of calories.”

On Dec. 11, Kern completed Frisco’s Frosty 5K and beat his personal best time. It was the confusion and blank looks from people who asked how he was slimming down that motivated him to start blogging about his techniques.

“I think people want it to be harder than it really is,” Kern said. “There’s such an industry out there where people want to make it harder and make a lot of money off it. I’m not unique, really. It’s just that you have to encounter it personally.”

Kern blogs about some of his favorite food products, which provide the flavor of high-calorie treats but without the damage to the waistline. A self-proclaimed chocolate addict, Kern goes for 100-calorie VitaTops to satisfy the sweet tooth and cuts up Joseph’s pita bread for nachos when craving a savory, salty snack.

Recently, Mayor Maher Maso asked Kern to be a part of a committee that is working on a fitness initiative for the entire city.

“I read his story and said, ‘What a perfect person to involve in this initiative, because of what he’s been through,’” Maso said.

Maso said the city is aiming to roll out the long-term program at the end of January, which should incorporate the design of the city to make exercise a part of Frisco culture.

After making it through the holiday season — a time of temptation — Kern is still realistic about setbacks and getting back on track.

“I try to put it in perspective,” he said. “Even if I have something that’s not exactly healthy, it has to be better than what I was doing — eating fast food for every meal. I’m so much better off than where I was before.”

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