Dropping Pounds: David Francis of the NYPD

"Everyone said I carried it well," Francis says. "The weight didn't bother me. I played sports, golfed and did other things."

It was a warning from his doctor that finally forced Francis to pay attention. "I was 28 and started blood pressure medicine and was borderline diabetic," he remembers. "My doctor told me if I didn't lose weight, I would likely die in five years."

His doctor recommended bariatric surgery. Francis agreed, and had the surgery six months later. That was four years ago, and he's kept the weight off. "Things are great," he says. "When I was heavy, I'd work out and then be tired and sore the rest of the day. Now, I go for a bike ride, play with the kids all day and still have energy."

Breakfast often is fruit with scrambled eggs on toast. Lunch is a tuna fish sandwich or just a can of tuna fish. He drinks a lot of Crystal Light and water and snacks on chips and pretzels. Dinner is a lean grilled protein and vegetables.

"I also like eating fruit now, which I never did before," Francis says. "I do miss steak, which I can't eat because it is hard to digest."

33, East Islip

Occupation: NYPD officer

Height: 5-foot-10