“My entire relationship with food has changed,” he said.

Hecksher, 45 and 408 pounds, is the Big Guy in Project Big Guy, an effort combining the talents of a nutritionist, a health-food vendor and a personal trainer to help Hecksher lose weight. Hecksher, owner of the Auto Gallery in Lewes, intends to lose 70 pounds by New Year’s Eve; next summer, he said, he plans to be fit enough to take a kayak trip down the Lewes-Rehoboth Canal.

After three weeks’ dieting and exercise, Project Big Guy is off to a great start – he’s already lost 22 pounds.

“I can feel the difference already,” he said. “Things like tying my shoes or walking up and down steps.”

Hecksher starts his mornings by going to Quest Fitness, where he meets owner Matt Carter. Hecksher says Carter runs him through a different routine every day, making sure he doesn’t overwork his muscles or otherwise injure himself.

Hecksher looks forward to rowing exercises, but crunches, not so much.

“Nobody likes crunches,” he said, laughing. “But it’s something I have to do.”

Carter said Hecksher is increasingly able to work out longer and harder.

“His stamina has dramatically increased,” Carter said. “That’s the most important part.”

Hecksher said he was initially afraid of stumbling into a temple of gym rats. He was relieved to find that Quest was full of people like him, simply endeavoring to keep fit.

“It’s a good experience, rather than a fearful one,” he said.

Nutritionist Lisa Harkins, owner of Ideal Fitness and Nutrition, monitors Hecksher’s eating. She emphasizes whole foods: Hecksher eats nothing processed, and eats mostly fruits, vegetables, lean meats and fish. The regimen is less about total abstention, Harkins said, than thoughtful portioning.

“He can eat foods he likes, just in the right portions,” she said. “Even an egg sandwich is allowable sometimes.”

Hecksher buys all of his groceries from Good For You Market in Lewes, owned by Andy Meddik.

After three weeks, Hecksher feels confident he’ll hit his year-end goal. He even has a strategy for Thanksgiving, the great all-American pig-out: smaller portions of healthier dishes and easy on the gravy. Leftovers will be given away, removing the temptation of seconds, thirds and fourths.

“It’s easy,” Hecksher said. “In fact, Lisa just gave me a course on how to eat healthy during the holidays.”

Harkins said Hecksher is on target to lose 70 pounds in time for 2010, but she said she’d be happy with less.

“I’m going to be content if he loses 60,” she said. “It’s not about being on the cover of Men’s Fitness. It’s about feeling comfortable in your clothes.”