GETTING FIT FOR DUTY

Jason Kilcrease used to tip the scale at over 450 pounds, but with hard work and dedication, he has been able to shed the weight to achieve his dream of becoming a police officer.

For Jason Kilcrease, graduating from the College of Central Florida Criminal Justice Institute in Ocala in August was one of the greatest day of his life. As a law enforcement recruit, he endured countless two-mile runs, was slammed to the ground during defensive tactics classes, ran an obstacle course after being pepper sprayed in the face, and completed 100 pushups on a daily basis.

These feats would have been physically impossible for Jason just several years ago when he weighed 456 pounds and was grossly out of shape. Tired and disgusted with the way he looked and felt, Jason incorporated healthy eating and exercise into his lifestyle in 2011. He has unfailingly stayed the course and now weighs 228 pounds.

Because so many people dedicated their time and effort to support him in his lifestyle change, the 37-year-old Summerfield resident feels an obligation to pay it forward.

“I might not be a fitness trainer or nutritionist, but as a police officer I can chase down a bad guy or stop and change a tire for a single mother stranded on the side of the road,” he says. “I have always believed in helping people and being in law enforcement will allow me to do just that.”

He is now working toward his associate degree in criminal justice, a huge feat in itself considering he had to drop out of high school during his senior year to support and raise his child.

Several years ago, he and his younger brother Paul, who was also obese, flew to Los Angeles in hopes of appearing on the NBC show “Biggest Loser.”

“I told producers during the interview that they could keep the money if I could have the opportunity to lose weight,” he says. “I said I would donate the money to a charity of their choice.”

Those heartfelt words fell on deaf ears. Fortunately, Jason mustered the willpower to change his eating and exercise habits without accountability from a national audience. “I no longer feel knee, hip, or ankle pain, and my confidence is through the roof.”

JASON’S FAVORITE FOODS:

• Grilled chicken, fish, steak, asparagus, broccoli, salad

JASON’S FAVORITE EXERCISES:

• Jogging, walking, pushups, situps, planks, and calisthenics. He works out five days a week.