It was the last time he'd have a big beef dinner for a long time.
"That was my going away meal," said Potter, who stands 6 feet 5 inches tall and then weighed 404 pounds.
The father of three would spend the next six weeks on a secluded California ranch exercising for a minimum of six hours per day while learning about proper nutrition and diet. He worked hard at becoming "The Biggest Loser."
At 8 tomorrow night, Potter, known around Lawrence as "Nelly," will be featured on NBC's "The Biggest Loser," a reality show that chronicles the weight loss efforts of contestants from all over the country. Friends and relatives are gathering at the Claddagh Restaurant and Pub at 399 Canal St. to watch the show's season premiere.
"I'm a little nervous," said Potter, as he readies to watch himself on the tube tomorrow night.
Potter made it onto the show last February after a casting call at The Rack restaurant and bar in Boston. He competed against 2,000 other contestants from New England and 250,000 contestants nationwide.
"It was really, really cool," he said. "They wanted to see pictures of me when I was younger, my yearbook picture and I had to make a video where they taped me trying to get in and out of a police cruiser."
In late April, after taking a leave of absence from the Police Department, Potter flew to Simi Valley, Calif., where he spent six weeks at Hummingbirds Nest ranch. In December, he flies back for the show's finale.
Potter can't discuss the outcome or specifics of the show but does say, to date, he's lost more than 60 pounds.
"I'm now a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit away from 340," said Potter, a Lawrence patrolman for the past nine years.
His target weight is 290 and Potter continues to strive to meet that goal by running every morning and completely changing his eating habits - a transformation that started on "The Biggest Loser."
"Prior to leaving, I had no idea what 2,500 calories looked like," he said. "Now I know that 2,500 calories was what I ate before I even left to go eat."
A New York City native, Potter came to Lawrence when he was 4 and grew up on Park and Phillips streets. Throughout his adult life, he never remembers weighing less than 300 pounds. When he attended the police academy and considered himself in good shape, he weighed 314 pounds.
People sometimes joked about his size, making cracks about him breaking chairs. Friends and relatives were sympathetic, telling him that he "carried the weight well."
He said he always had a hearty appetite and he never checked foods for fat, calories or carbohydrates.
"All that stuff written on the sides of boxes, I never knew what any of that meant," he said.
But the death of a close friend made him take another look at the way he was living and how precious his time here was. So when he heard about "The Biggest Loser" tryouts, he decided it was time to trade beer and buffalo wing nights for long runs and grilled chicken salads.
The isolation on the ranch, where there are no phones, televisions or computers available to contestants, gave Potter the kick-start he needed. He missed talking to his three daughters, Shayla, 12, and 10-year-old twins Kady and Kayla, and a Red Sox fan, Potter sometimes didn't get scores until three or four days after games.
Instead, he focused on sweating and adopting a new lifestyle.
"The isolation definitely worked for me," he said. "This was about improving my health for the next 10, 15, 20 years. ... This is something I'm going to have to do for the rest of my life."
Back in Lawrence, Potter said he had the support of police Chief John Romero, an avid runner and weight lifter, who approved his leave of absence.
Romero said it's important for all police officers to stay in shape, not just because of the physical demands of the job but to relieve stress.
"Exercise is critical, especially in this line of work," Romero said. "I have a lot of respect for Nelson. He showcased his entire life when he went on the show. He put his entire life out there for everyone to see."
Potter said he learned when it comes to weight loss, there's no quick fix.
"Losing weight is something that happens slowly. ... It may not show physically but internally you are doing wonders for your body," he said.
Back on the job, Potter said he's had to have his uniform shirts tapered. He's ordered smaller pants and keeps cinching his belt. And he knows, no matter how much weight he loses, people will always view him as a "big guy."
"I'll never be really thin," he said. "But I can be healthier than I was."
Staff reporter Jill Harmacinski can be reached at (978) 946-2209 or by email at JHarmacinski@ecnnews.com.
Reader box
His old favorite foods
* Steak and cheese subs
* Large portions of rice and beans
* Steaks
* Ham and cheese omelettes with french toast
* Chicken wings
* Beer
His new favorite foods
* Oatmeal with Splenda
* Cottage cheese and pineapple
* A variety of fruits
* Grilled chicken salads
* Egg white omelettes
* Baked fish, small amounts of pork
* Water
