Dropping Pounds: James Calderon, Freeport

"I'd diet and exercise some, drop some weight and then have it come right back after I quit dieting," Calderon says. "I actually became vegetarian, and that's when I shot up to 240 pounds because I was eating a lot of the wrong things."

Those "wrong" things included a lot of carbs -- wheat, pasta, breads and rice.

"It was when I learned about fasting, detoxing and acidity and how to keep the body pH more alkaline that I began to drop the weight," Calderon remembers.

"I read books and took herbal and nutrition classes," says Calderon, who offers all he's learned to others as a volunteer life coach. "I don't tell people what to eat or what not to eat. I just want to help people learn to eat better."

He sticks to mostly fruits and vegetables, essential oils and lean proteins such as nuts and legumes.

"If you're going to eat meat, think of it as a treat, not as the bulk of your meal," Calderon advises.

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He breaks his fast with an apple or berries, followed by a large, raw salad.

Later in the day, he'll have cooked vegetables with walnuts, almonds or another protein. He uses either balsamic or raw apple cider vinegar with extra-virgin olive oil as a dressing.

"You want to find things that you enjoy and that keep your metabolism working]," says Calderon, who encourages people to eat what they like but consider including healthier choices.

35, Freeport

Occupation: Business solutions sales and life coaching

Height: 5-foot-11