Dave Shutt’s journey losing 120 pounds

ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Va. (WVIR) - Dave Shutt says he lost 120 pounds over the last two years. The Hollymead man did it by walking a mile each morning before work, and then walking another mile during his lunch break at UVA.

I didn’t want to do any fad diet or anything because I knew that when I came off of it, I’d be back to eating the way I normally would,” Dave said.

Two years ago, Dave was close to weighing 300 pounds. He had similar struggles to many with eating fast food until he decided to make a change. Dave got his bike out of the garage, which he hadn’t ridden in years, and added cycling to his fitness routine.

“In the month of July, he biked a thousand miles, I can’t even wrap my mind around that. The determination that he’s had. He’s done it for himself, but he’s done it for his family too,” Dave’s wife Lisa Shutt said.

Dave says his family and coworkers kept him motivated.

“They’re the ones who have inspired me to take the time at lunch and time beforehand. If they could do it, anyone could do it, I could do it,” Dave said.

Dave estimates that 75% of his dramatic weight loss is due to simply walking, but he says he’s also changed his eating habits.

“At work now, I keep a bag of oranges, some granola bars, some nuts and some cheese and stuff. I snack on that for lunch, so when I’m done at the end of the day I’m not starving,” Dave said.

Recently, Dave walked a marathon, starting in Hollymead, then down to the Charlottesville Pavillion, and beyond.

“I crossed the Charlottesville 10-miler finish line exactly at my 17-mile mark. Man, everyone was cheering for me, but I still had another nine more miles to go,” Dave said.

“When he came back the kids and I met him with a big sign that said ‘Congratulations dad! Great job dad! We’re proud of you!’ and we are so proud of him, Lisa said.

Do you have a story idea? Send us your news tip here.

Copyright 2022 WVIR. All rights reserved.