If you are a regular listener to KVMR, especially the news, you're familiar with the distinctive voice of Mike Thornton. A 16-year resident of Nevada City, Mike, 51, is the news director at KVMR while also raising his 9-year-old daughter.

Although Mike's voice remains unchanged, his body is undergoing significant renovations.

A one-time Korean Martial Arts student (brown belt level), Mike had subsequently neglected his physical well-being. At his highest, Mike estimates his weight approached 400 pounds. He doesn't know for sure because at that point, he stopped weighing himself.

Sick of being overweight and not feeling well, Mike reached a turning point in August 2004. He decided to make significant lifestyle changes. He replaced habits of "eating bunches of junk food and lying around doing nothing," with habits of eating carefully and exercising.

To provide structure, Mike joined a gym. Today, he works with weights, walks on the treadmill 4 miles (one hour), and enjoys the sauna, five-to-six times a week.

Mike thinks he's lost at least 100 pounds and will continue until he reaches a comfortable weight. In the meantime, he's feeling a lot more fit.

His advice to others who have similarly neglected their bodies: "Get started. Suit up, show up and do what you can, but do something! It's a marathon, not a sprint."