{"id":81218,"date":"2020-10-03T22:05:01","date_gmt":"2020-10-03T19:05:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/"},"modified":"2020-10-03T22:05:01","modified_gmt":"2020-10-03T19:05:01","slug":"how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/","title":{"rendered":"#How 9 volunteers from one firehouse lost more than 1,200 pounds"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a25717bf2537\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a25717bf2537\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Chief_Jon_Hoffman_41_%E2%80%94_lost_119_pounds\" >Chief Jon Hoffman, 41 \u2014 lost 119 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#First_assistant_chief_Chuck_Brady_49_%E2%80%94_lost_161_pounds\" >First assistant chief Chuck Brady, 49 \u2014 lost 161 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Firefighter_Tyler_Gibbs_29_%E2%80%94_lost_145_pounds\" >Firefighter Tyler Gibbs, 29 \u2014 lost 145 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Second_assistant_chief_Jimmy_Glidden_54_%E2%80%94_lost_140_pounds\" >Second assistant chief Jimmy Glidden, 54 \u2014 lost 140 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Firefighter_Karl_McGinn_50_%E2%80%94_lost_154_pounds\" >Firefighter Karl McGinn, 50 \u2014 lost 154 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Firefighter_Tom_Costas_50_%E2%80%94_lost_155_pounds\" >Firefighter Tom Costas, 50 \u2014 lost 155 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Firefighter_John_Hall_54_%E2%80%94_lost_87_pounds\" >Firefighter John Hall, 54 \u2014 lost 87 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#Firefighter_Vito_Reciniello_50_%E2%80%94_lost_149_pounds\" >Firefighter Vito Reciniello, 50 \u2014 lost 149 pounds<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/#First_aid_squad_captain_Kathleen_Castillo_47_%E2%80%94_lost_179_pounds\" >First aid squad captain Kathleen Castillo, 47 \u2014 lost 179 pounds<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#How 9 volunteers from one firehouse lost more than 1,200 pounds<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>\n                        If you need a hero, these firefighters are ready with a new agility.<\/p>\n<p>Nine volunteers at the Huntington Manor firehouse on Long Island have lost a collective total of more than 1,200 pounds over the past few years.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere\u2019s even more camaraderie because of the weight loss,\u201d First Assistant Chief Chuck Brady \u2014 who shed 160 pounds \u2014 told The Post. \u201cOur energy levels are off the charts.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Previously, some of the members were plagued by risky health conditions such as elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and sleep apnea. But as one after another started to get healthy, it inspired the others.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWord got around as we saw people\u2019s amazing results,\u201d said Chief Jon Hoffmann, 41, who has lost 119 pounds since his July 2018 operation. \u201cIt was like: \u2018Wow, what a difference! I want that, too.\u2019\u2009\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to exercise and changing their diets, the colleagues all underwent bariatric procedures by the same physician, Dr. David Buchin, head of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liobesitysurgery.com\/\">Long Island Obesity Surgery PC<\/a> and director of bariatric surgery at Huntington Hospital.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt feels good to give back to those who save the lives of others,\u201d said Buchin.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394885\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"wp-image-16394885 size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped lazyload\" alt=\"Nine volunteers at the Huntington Manor firehouse have lost a collective total of more than 1,200 pounds.\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-fdny-weight-loss1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-fdny-weight-loss1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-fdny-weight-loss1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-fdny-weight-loss1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-fdny-weight-loss1.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Nine volunteers at the Huntington Manor firehouse have lost a collective total of more than 1,200 pounds.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Karl McGinn, 50, has dropped 154 pounds since his surgery last September. He was inspired to do so for his daughter Lulu, 7 \u2014 because he lost his own overweight father to a heart attack when he was only 3 years old.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI didn\u2019t want to leave my daughter the way I was left,\u201d said the firefighter, who weighed 364 pounds at his heaviest point.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLast week I did fire-service training where we had to crawl through a narrow maze, an exercise I would never have completed a couple of years ago because it would have been too taxing.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As for Brady, he hopes the team\u2019s enormous loss will continue to inspire others battling the bulge.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNobody wants to listen to the fat guy eating the doughnut sitting on the sidelines telling them to exercise more and eat better,\u201d he laughed. \u201cThey want to hear from the thin guy who can show them how he did it.\u201d Here are some of the firehouse\u2019s slimming stories:<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Chief_Jon_Hoffman_41_%E2%80%94_lost_119_pounds\"><\/span>Chief Jon Hoffman, 41 \u2014 lost 119 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16395150\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16395150 lazyload\" alt=\"Chief Jon Hoffman\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hoffman2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hoffman2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hoffman2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hoffman2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hoffman2.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Chief Jon Hoffman<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Jon Hoffman; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 290 lbs<br \/>Current weight: 171 lbs<\/p>\n<p>When Hoffman was overweight, he would abandon hikes after barely a mile, exhausted by the extra bulk he was carrying. \u201cNow I\u2019m covering five miles and feeling great,\u201d said the 5-foot-6 mechanic, who underwent bariatric surgery in 2018. He consumes around 2,000 calories a day of protein-rich food, lifts weights and does cardio at least three days a week.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_assistant_chief_Chuck_Brady_49_%E2%80%94_lost_161_pounds\"><\/span>First assistant chief Chuck Brady, 49 \u2014 lost 161 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394923\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394923 lazyload\" alt=\"First assistant chief Chuck Brady\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-brady.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-brady.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-brady.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-brady.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-brady.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>First assistant chief Chuck Brady<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Chuck Brady; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 351 pounds<br \/>Current weight: 190 pounds<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019m a foodie who drives all the way to Philly for a cheesesteak or Boston for clam chowder,\u201d said Brady, who stands 5-foot-8 and works as a dispatcher at his day job. \u201cI knew I had to do something when at the age of 44 my doctor told me I was prediabetic.\u201d After his 2016 surgery, his waist shrank from 52 to 34 inches and he took up yoga to help with his posture. \u201cI\u2019m this big tattooed guy who said there was no way I\u2019d ever do yoga. But it\u2019s changed my whole world.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Firefighter_Tyler_Gibbs_29_%E2%80%94_lost_145_pounds\"><\/span>Firefighter Tyler Gibbs, 29 \u2014 lost 145 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394961\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394961 lazyload\" alt=\"Firefighter Tyler Gibbs\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-gibbs.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-gibbs.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-gibbs.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-gibbs.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-gibbs.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Firefighter Tyler Gibbs<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Tyler Gibbs; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 320 pounds<br \/>Current weight: 175 pounds<\/p>\n<p>Gibbs, who stands 6-foot-3, blames his \u201cbig-boned\u201d family and lack of portion control for weight issues that forced him to wear size 3XL clothing. Thanks to his 2016 operation and revised eating habits, he\u2019s now a medium to large. It has also helped the EMT\u2019s performance as a firefighter: \u201cI used to go through two Scott packs [air cylinders] during training but now I don\u2019t get out of breath and only need one bottle.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Second_assistant_chief_Jimmy_Glidden_54_%E2%80%94_lost_140_pounds\"><\/span>Second assistant chief Jimmy Glidden, 54 \u2014 lost 140 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394967\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394967 lazyload\" alt=\"Second assistant chief Jimmy Glidden\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-glidden.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-glidden.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-glidden.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-glidden.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-glidden.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Second assistant chief Jimmy Glidden<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Jimmy Glidden; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 348 pounds<br \/>Current weight 208 pounds<\/p>\n<p>The lure of McDonald\u2019s, Kentucky Fried Chicken and Wendy\u2019s often proved too much for Glidden, who had repeated knee surgeries because of the damage caused to his joints by excess weight. Terrified of leaving his four kids without a father, he opted for surgery in 2017 and has morphed into a healthy food enthusiast. \u201cWe joke that, when there is a call, I can climb the ladder on the truck like a spider monkey,\u201d said the 5-foot-10 mechanic. \u201cMy breathing has improved, my blood pressure is down and I feel safer doing the job.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Firefighter_Karl_McGinn_50_%E2%80%94_lost_154_pounds\"><\/span>Firefighter Karl McGinn, 50 \u2014 lost 154 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394972\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394972 lazyload\" alt=\"Firefighter Karl McGinn\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-mcginn.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-mcginn.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-mcginn.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-mcginn.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-mcginn.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Firefighter Karl McGinn<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Karl McGinn; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 364 pounds<br \/>Current weight: 210 pounds<\/p>\n<p>McGinn, a mechanic, found his metabolism slowing after he reached 40. Standing 6-foot-4, he dubbed his extra weight \u201ch<a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">app<\/a>y fat\u201d because he was content in his marriage and enjoyed hearty family meals. But his mobility was poor and he couldn\u2019t keep up with daughter, Lulu, now seven. That all changed following his 2019 gastric sleeve surgery and commitment to portion control. \u201cThese days, I can run around the playground instead of sitting on a bench watching Lulu. It\u2019s been a life changer.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Firefighter_Tom_Costas_50_%E2%80%94_lost_155_pounds\"><\/span>Firefighter Tom Costas, 50 \u2014 lost 155 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394977\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394977 lazyload\" alt=\"Firefighter Tom Costas\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-costas.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-costas.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-costas.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-costas.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-costas.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Firefighter Tom Costas<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Tom Costas; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 375 lbs<br \/>Current weight: 220 lbs<\/p>\n<p>Costas suffered a range of problems due to his weight including worryingly high cholesterol and sleep apnea \u2014 scaring his wife as he struggled to breathe in the middle of the night. Lacking energy, he would avoid playing with his kids in the pool as he was self-conscious about wearing swim gear. \u201cGetting back my self-image alone is worth its weight in gold,\u201d said the 6-foot-2 dad of two, who also works for the Town of Huntington Highway Department and had his surgery two years ago. \u201cI just wish I\u2019d done it sooner.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Firefighter_John_Hall_54_%E2%80%94_lost_87_pounds\"><\/span>Firefighter John Hall, 54 \u2014 lost 87 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394990\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394990 lazyload\" alt=\"Firefighter John Hall\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hall.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hall.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hall.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hall.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-hall.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Firefighter John Hall<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of John Hall; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 282 lbs<br \/>Current weight: 195 lbs<\/p>\n<p>A recovering emotional eater, the 5-foot-10 Hall struggled with his weight since childhood and was prescribed medication for high cholesterol and diabetes as an adult. Since his surgery in 2018, the only pills he takes now are multivitamins. He is more active, going biking and camping, and enjoys fitting into fashionable clothes. But Hall, a foreman in the Huntington Sanitation Department, is cautious about giving advice. \u201cWeight loss and personal challenges in life are based on the individual,\u201d he said. \u201c[They] will move forward when they are ready in their own mind.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Firefighter_Vito_Reciniello_50_%E2%80%94_lost_149_pounds\"><\/span>Firefighter Vito Reciniello, 50 \u2014 lost 149 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16394997\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16394997 lazyload\" alt=\"Firefighter Vito Reciniello\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-reciniello.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-reciniello.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-reciniello.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-reciniello.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-reciniello.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>Firefighter Vito Reciniello<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Vito Reciniello; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 340 lbs<br \/>Current weight: 191 lbs<\/p>\n<p>Reciniello \u2014 a former yo-yo dieter and binge-eater \u2014 battled obesity due to his reliance on fast food coupled with poor sleeping habits as a result of paramedic shift work. A \u201ccardiac event\u201d at his son\u2019s communion proved a wake-up call. In 2009, he was the first member of the fire house to have bariatric surgery. It rebooted his life. \u201cIt\u2019s not something to be taken lightly because it\u2019s major surgery,\u201d said Reciniello, who stands 5-foot-8 and now works for the American Red Cross as a disaster program manager. \u201cBut I\u2019m so glad I did this.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"First_aid_squad_captain_Kathleen_Castillo_47_%E2%80%94_lost_179_pounds\"><\/span>First aid squad captain Kathleen Castillo, 47 \u2014 lost 179 pounds<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_16395109\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img class=\"size-nypost-large-desktop-uncropped wp-image-16395109 lazyload\" alt=\"First aid squad captain Kathleen Castillo\" width=\"662\" height=\"441\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-castillo.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=300 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-castillo.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=640 640w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-castillo.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1280 1280w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-castillo.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=662 662w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/201003-firefighters-weight-loss-castillo.jpg?quality=90&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1324 1324w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 640px) 100vw, 662px\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-caption-text\"><span>First aid squad captain Kathleen Castillo<\/span><span class=\"credit\">Courtesy of Kathleen Castillo; Lizzy Snaps Sullivan<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Previous weight: 341 lbs<br \/>Current weight: 162 lbs<\/p>\n<p>Castillo, a personal home-care assistant by day, says she was the kind of person who would watch TV shows like \u201cMy 600-lb. Life\u201d while chowing down on a Big Mac. Addicted to fast food, she \u201cexisted, rather than lived\u201d and became prediabetic and prehypertensive while volunteering for a First Aid Squad that works closely with the Huntington Manor Firehouse. She finally took action after her obese mom suffered a stroke. \u201cI knew I was killing myself,\u201d said the 5-foot-6 Castillo, who had surgery in 2017. \u201cNow I cook healthy meals for myself and am an active grandma to my 4-year-old granddaughter, Marley.\u201d It also gave her the confidence to make another big life change: She is studying to be an RN.\n            <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2020\/10\/03\/how-9-volunteers-from-one-firehouse-lost-more-than-1200-pounds\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#How 9 volunteers from one firehouse lost more than 1,200 pounds&#8221; If you need a hero, these firefighters are ready with a new agility. Nine volunteers at the Huntington Manor firehouse on Long Island have lost a collective total of more than 1,200 pounds over the past few years. \u201cThere\u2019s even more camaraderie because of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":81219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2020\/10\/Fat-Fighters.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[74128,70977,3544,2226,71975,72886],"class_list":["post-81218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-10-3-20","tag-diets","tag-firefighters","tag-long-island","tag-surgery","tag-weight-loss"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=81218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/81218\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/81219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=81218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=81218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=81218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}