Andrew Nightengale has lost more than 70 pounds and quit smoking since moving into a group home in April 2008 in St. Louis Park run by Opportunity Partners, a nonprofit organization that serves people with disabilities.
Nightengale, who has down syndrome, works in a cafeteria (although he’s looking for other work — being so close to food is "temptation city," he says), engages in local politics and exercises nearly every day. He’s 5 feet 11 and weighs 228 pounds.
Motivation: my health was so bad, I just had to do something. I was getting threatened by my family that if I didn’t do it I could die. I had no choice. When I got into it, I thought I might as well go for it. The staff helped: Rosinta Stromquist really motivated me. She’s really into exercising, and she gives me some insights as to what I can do and cannot do.
The start: I’m a humongous fan of "The Largest Loser." my favorite trainer is Jillian Michaels; I’d like to meet her someday. I still go to Weight Watchers. I take the bus to the meetings in Uptown. I’m trying to get down to 150 pounds.
Powerful past: I used to be in the Special Olympics for power lifting. I still do free weights and the bench press on my own. I retired from Special Olympics. I’m getting older and I’m in politics now, and doing a lot of other things.
One step at a time: I am a vegetarian. I saw a documentary called "Food, inc." God, I couldn’t stand it, seeing animals like that.
The routine: I own my own treadmill. I walk or run. It varies how far and long. just the other day I did 50 minutes. The rest of the week I do 45. I listen to my iPod or the radio while I exercise. I used to smoke. I won’t do that anymore. I’m becoming less winded than I used to be.
<a href="http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/104177323.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUrtag:news.google.com,2005:cluster=http://www.startribune.com/lifestyle/104177323.html?elr=KArks7PYDiaK7DUHPYDiaK7DUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUrSun, 03 Oct 2010 23:05:08 GMT 00:00″>A new start leads to 70-pound weight loss