Dawn M. Kurry | Daily Journal Magistrate John Searcy said he lost 150 pounds by using ViSalus products.

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John Searcy of Rockingham spent 10 years as a police officer in Richmond County, and has been a magistrate for the county for 12 years. He admits he took advantage of law enforcement discounts when eating out, and steadily put on lots of weight.

Searcy suffered from multiple heart attacks, fatty liver, high blood pressure and acid reflux. He had his gall bladder removed and could no longer eat spicy foods.

“I was an athlete in high school and college but I was never into nutrition,” said Searcy.

Then he discovered a product called ViSalus, and took on the Body By VI Challenge.

The challenge consisted of replacing a few meals with milkshakes made of a powder he ordered, and cookies made of the same product. He said it tasted great, but the best part was within 90 days, he lost 78 pounds.

“I signed up at the end of September 2011, but I didn’t start really until Jan. 1, 2012,” said Searcy.

Searcy lost 150 pounds in the last year, and he said he feels like he has his life back.

According to ViSalus, The Body by VI Challenge is a ‘challenge,’ done in 90 day increments, for you to get more fit or lose weight, or both. This is done by replacing one or two meals (depending on your goals) with the Vi-Shape shakes. The shakes are “full of nutrition and scientifically created for optimal nutrition and health,” say the makers. You can augment the shakes with patented vitamins, metabolism enhancers, and energy enhancers (all ephedra and stimulant free).

ViSalus also allows you to promote the product for income, and the more you promote the product, the closer you come to getting a free BMW.

Searcy said he was drawn to the challenge because he saw an opportunity to make more money.

“I saw the business opportunity and I wanted the BMW,” said Searcy. “I saw the results others were having with it and I realized that if I wanted to promote it, I would have to be an example. I said, ‘I can do this,’ and I’m glad I did it because I have my health back and it helped me financially.”

Not only did Searcy use his extra $300 a month to pay his family cell phone bill and take his wife out to dinner, he was also able to save grocery money because the shakes cost less than meals. Soon, he was seeing results and inspiring others simply by showing them pictures of himself before he lost his weight.

Searcy said he did not have time to go to the gym to work out, but because of the formula in the shakes, he was able to keep firm muscles. He was also able to purchase horses, which he hasn’t been able to ride since his late teens. Now he can ride horses again, and he said life has taken on new meaning.

“It changed my outlook and my attitude,” said Searcy. “Before, I used to go home and eat and go to bed. I didn’t have the energy to play with my son. I didn’t feel good about myself.”

Searcy’s skin shines and he gets excited when he talks about the success he’s had losing weight. He said he feels like he has a new lease on life.

“My son has his dad back and my wife has her boyfriend back,” Searcy said.

Searcy recalled the moment he received his BMW bonus from ViSalus.

“I got to walk up on stage and they gave me my ‘I Told You So’ tag,” said Searcy. “I got to speak at the event. I got my BMW at Hendrick BMW in Charlotte.”

Soon Searcy was traveling to different areas of the country.

“I enjoy traveling now, and my wife likes it, too,” said Searcy.

Searcy’s attitude has become that of a giving person, and he said he enjoys finding ways to give back to the community. He said he sponsored a Cordova School 5K, and donates regularly to Christian Closet.

— Staff Writer Dawn M. Kurry can be reached at 910-997-3111, ext. 15, or by email at dkurry@civitasmedia.com.