EARL FOWLKES

Transportation worker, Puyallup

Age: 49 Height: 6-foot-0

Start weight: 253

Finish Weight: 212

Fowlkes won the 2010 Pierce County Biggest Winner competition while working with MultiCare dietitians and trainers at the Mel Korum YMCA. He lost 40 pounds in three months and says working with the dietitian and learning the right foods to eat (and how much) was key to his success. He had to cut back on cereal, one of his favorite foods.

“Knowledge is the key,” Fowlkes said. “My motto for life is moderation. You have to be ready to make a lifestyle change to have success.”

The working out was easy for Fowlkes, a former high school football player.

“I’m a competitor, so I like it when I’m challenged,” Fowlkes said. “That’s why I think it (the contest) is a great thing.”

The 2011 Pierce County Biggest Winner started last month.

This is the ninth part in a series on weight loss running March 14-April 10. We will post profiles on South Sound residents having success losing weight the right way.  And Fitness Columnist Craig Hill will blog about his attempt to slash his body fat to below 10 percent.