MAGEE, Miss. -- A preacher who lost more than 300 pounds hopes his example will help others get healthy, WAPT-TV in Jackson, Miss., reported.

At 56 years old, Rickard Kight weighed 500 pounds. He realized something had to change.

His blood pressure was 265/260; 120/80 is normal.

"I realized I could die at anytime," Kight said.

In one day, he said, he would eat a dozen eggs, a pack of bacon, ham, a loaf of bread, a bag of Ruffles, a box of graham crackers, ice cream and a 12 pack of Coke.

Two years ago, Kight had gastric bypass surgery to shrink his stomach.

Since then, he's lost 300 pounds by walking, eating healthy foods and eating less.

"When you eat extra but are not burning it off, all of that is going to excess weight, and it's a major problem in Mississippi," nutritionist Urmila Mota said.

She said a healthy lifestyle starts at a young age.

It's not just the weight, but the social issues that come with it -- depression usually follows obesity, according to Mota.

That's an issue Kight said he dealt with when he weighed 500 pounds. That's another reason he's determined not to go back.

"Eating habits, (and staying) label conscious," Kight said, "The will to live instead of getting it in my mind that I'm going to die."

Kight hopes his story will encourage others to do the same.