Virginia Man Romar Lyle Lost 183 Pounds so He Could Get His Dream Job as a Police Officer

"It wasn't even about my weight loss anymore," says Romar Lyle who painstakingly lost close to 200 lbs. to become a police officer after weighing over 400 lbs.

This is an inspiring story of a man who dared to change his lifestyle and shed off pounds just to work his dream job – to be a police officer.

“I wake up every day smiling because when I think back on all the things I have done to get here, it reminds me that anything is possible."

THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED THE COURSE OF HIS LIFE

Never in his wildest dreams did Romar Lyle think he would ever be fit enough to be a police officer even when he secretly wished to be one. He was over 400 pounds with a 54-inch waistline.

But due to a twist of fate and his hard work, that dream has become a reality.

“Every day is a new day to be a lot healthier for me than that day I was before.”

It was while Lyle was acquiring his master’s degree in investigative forensics that his fate took a turn towards his dream job. His supervisor introduced him to CrossFit, something Lyle initially resisted but eventually learned to love.

That was in 2015 when Lyle first entered the CrossFit gym, a five-minute walk from his campus. He confessed to being hesitant at first and thinking that was the first and last time he would be there.

But Lyle recalled a life-changing moment that day.

“I’ll never forget that first workout. We had to run 400 meters and instead I just ran 100 meters. By the time it took me to get there the people had already run the 400 meters and were on their way back. I wanted to cry,” he told “Good Morning America.”

However, instead of laughing at him, Lyle recalled everyone cheering him on and being very supportive.

"On graduation day, one of the recruits came to me and told me that I was an inspiration to him and that’s what helped him push through the academy. Their words of support kept me strong. "

Due to the kind of encouragement he received from his trainers and fellow gym mates, Lyle persevered.

“I kept going, and I started to love it. It wasn’t even about weight loss anymore. I genuinely had fun working out and trying to build a better life.”

Lyle, who told 8News that he gave up cookies, ice cream, and pizza added,

“Before, I knew I couldn’t work in law enforcement, but the more time went by the more I thought, ‘Wait, this is actually possible.’”

WHEN HIS DREAM STARTED BECOMING A REALITY

True enough, by the time Lyle earned his master’s degree in 2017, he had shed enough pounds to enroll in the police academy. And that was just the beginning of seven months of physical training.

Lyle said it was both “challenging and draining” but he kept pushing himself.

“Every day is a new day to be a lot healthier for me than that day I was before,” he explained.

It also helped that his fellow recruits were very encouraging and became his motivation.

“They would stay afterward with me and help me work on my strength during the weeks. The weekends they would run with me.” Lyle recounted in Richmond Police Department’s Facebook post about his achievement. He added,

“On graduation day, one of the recruits came to me and told me that I was an inspiration to him and that’s what helped him push through the academy. Their words of support kept me strong. I knew that I had to finish not only for myself but for the people that believed in me.”

DREAM ACHIEVED

Lyle lost 183 lbs by the time he completed his academy training. Apart from finally becoming a police officer, he delights in being able to walk into a clothing store and purchase off the rack and not worry about fitting into a seat in an amusement park or making the weight limit.

Lyle currently weighs 222 pounds and feels happier and healthier. He wants to be an inspiration for others who struggle with their weight too.

"It was one of the most challenging things I have ever had to do but it has taught me so many life skills and valuable lessons that I will carry for the rest of my life,” Lyle laments.

“I wake up every day smiling because when I think back on all the things I have done to get here, it reminds me that anything is possible."

Lyle is now patrolling the streets of Richmond after graduating early this month.