PAINTED POST, N.Y. (WENY) – According to a new report from USA Today, January 17 is the day most people give up on their New Year's Resolution, but one local man is highlighting the importance of staying committed.

With the help of Guthrie HealthWorks, Ryan Chronister was able to lose about 160 pounds, but he says it wasn't an easy journey. Initially, he lost 140 pounds, but gained it back. He then elected to have weight loss surgery.

Then, with the help of various doctors – including a dietician and a psychologist-- Chronister was able to help develop a health training plan. With the help of that plan, he was able to successfully run last year's Wine Glass Marathon.

Chronister says some of the biggest benefits are the things he can do now that weren't possible before he lost the weight.

“It's kind of cool to fit in everywhere – not having to go out to restaurants and sitting in a booth...flying on an airplane, movie theaters,” said Chronister. “We actually did once to go to a concert and I had to sit up in the handicap section on folding chairs; I couldn't fit in my seat.”
“[I'm also] able to do things like walking up the stairs, bending over to tie my shoes, walking from the back of the parking lot to the front of the building at work.”

The Guthrie HealthWorks at Fitness Center is located on Liberty Road in Painted Post.