RANDOLPH -- In April 2006, Joel Marsh weighed about 360 pounds and was on 11 medications for his out-of-control diabetes, high cholesterol and other health problems.

When he drove, his stomach would rub against the steering wheel of his SUV, even though he'd had his mechanic move the seat back 3 inches.

Walking 150 feet was a task that left him gasping for breath.

But, at the suggestion of friends Rick and Anne Danforth, of Chelsea, he nonetheless managed to walk into a meeting of the local chapter of TOPS, or Take Off Pounds Sensibly.

Earlier this month, Marsh, 172 pounds lighter, walked on stage in Chicago to be recognized as the organization's "International King of Weight Loss" for losing the most weight of any man among the approximately 180,000 TOPS members worldwide.

"After all the doctor warnings, something finally kicked in and I knew I had to do something if I wanted to live any longer," said Marsh, 68, now a slim 178 pounds.

"The whole thing is portion control," he said. "And exercise. I'm on the (Kennebec River) Rail Trail at 5 a.m. every day. I can eat what I want, as long as I get in my three to five miles every day."

Marsh and his wife, Dorothy, both joined TOPS Chapter 90, which meets Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. at Randolph Methodist Church.

Dorothy has lost about 45 pounds.

And she gained a new, healthier, more active husband.

"I used to have to do all the yardwork and things like that, because he just couldn't do it," Dorothy Marsh said. "It's hard to keep up with him now."

The couple recently bought kayaks and have summer camping trips planned.

"Our activities before were going out to eat," Dorothy Marsh said. "We still go out to eat. We eat normal foods. We just eat more sensibly."

Joel Marsh said he's down to just three medications, and he expects to be off those soon.

He uses some of his newfound energy to volunteer in the community, including delivering meals for Senior Spectrum.

He credits Dorothy, his church, his friends and the local TOPS chapter for helping him lose the weight and keep it off.

He said the Randolph chapter of the nonprofit organization has had four state weight-loss winners over the last seven years. Dues are $2 a week, he said.

He started exercising by forcing himself to walk 150 feet, then added another 150 feet each day.

His major walking route is on the Kennebec River Rail Trail, which he follows from Gardiner to the Hi Hat restaurant in Farmingdale for breakfast.

He said he alternates breakfasts -- having two eggs, toast, juice and coffee one day and then cereal with fruit and coffee the next day. He drinks lots of water, has three meals a day and snacks on fruits and vegetables and, occasionally, a 100-calorie candy bar.

Lunch is typically the Marshes' biggest meal of the day, usually including chicken or fish, as well as vegetables.

He tells his story of losing 172 pounds in 20 months at numerous other TOPS chapters across the state, and the organization even occasionally flies him to other states to speak. He said he does so to provide incentive for others trying to lose weight.

He usually brings a pair of his old pants with him that are big enough for him and another person to fit into, together. Marsh said his weight was "reasonable" until after he retired from his job as a drug and alcohol counselor at Togus in 1994.

"I didn't keep active or do much of anything except watch television and eat everything in sight," he said of his retirement.

He reached his goal weight of 185 pounds in December 2007. He's confident he can keep the weight off, as long as he keeps exercising.

Keith Edwards -- 621-5647

kedwards@centralmaine.com