Virginia man loses 176 pounds to achieve lifelong dream of becoming a police officer

A Virginia man was able to achieve his life-long dream of becoming a police officer following an astounding 176-pound weight loss transformation.

Romar Lyle, an officer with the Richmond Police Department who earned his degree in investigative forensics, weighed a little over 400 pounds at the time he decided to embark on his personal health journey, which he says was sparked by the lack of job opportunities on the force for someone of his size.

“I knew I wanted to do something in Law Enforcement, but at that moment there was no way I would have been able to achieve that dream at my current weight," Lyle said in a post shared by the Richmond Police Department. "If I wanted to work in this field, I had to keep working on my health and fitness.”

While attending grad school, Lyle discovered CrossFit, a workout and lifestyle regimen designed to improve health, and, with the help of the program, he was able to lose about 130 pounds over the course of two years.

Lyle was then accepted into the Richmond Police Department and, through his subsequent law enforcement training, he was able to shed some additional weight, bringing his total weight loss to 176 pounds, the department said.

Earlier this month, Lyle graduated from the academy with the 120th Basic Recruit Class, where his hard work and dedication inspired his fellow classmates to believe in themselves during difficult times.

"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," Lyle recalled. "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."

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

Lyle has 24 pounds to go before reaching his goal weight and is set to begin his field training soon, WTVR reports.