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BLUE ASH — Simply having a heart attack didn't surprise Kris Verdin as much as when he had it — at age 32.

The Fairfield resident had a family history of heart problems, and at the time he was topping the scale at 366 pounds.

"That was the wake-up call. If you can't change after that, you're not going to change," Verdin said.

Now 34, the 6-foot-2 Hamilton native, weighs 257 pounds and teaches group cycling at a YMCA twice a week. He estimates that he works out five or six times a week.

Weight loss has been slower lately, though Verdin said he still wants to lose another 30 pounds. He is training for athletic events such as the MS 150, a 150-mile bike ride to benefit multiple sclerosis research.

Even before his heart attack, Verdin was working out regularly, but still eating "horribly." The difference today is his diet.

Along with his heart attack, Verdin was diagnosed diabetic. With his sister's help, he revamped his diet.

Contact this reporter at (513) 820-2190 or jrinaldi@coxohio.com.

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