LA-Based Musician Loses 250 Pounds On So-Called '99 Cents Only Store Diet'

HOLLYWOOD (CBSLA.com) — A Los Angeles-based musician said he lost 250 pounds on a so-called "99 Cents Only Store Diet."

Papa Joe Aviance, known for the song "Last Night a DJ Saved My Life", moved to Hollywood in 2002 and was dubbed the next Biggie Smalls by a record company due to his 450-pound frame.

"I didn't want to be pigeonholed into that anymore," he said. "I saw how big I was and I couldn't believe it."

Aviance, who was unemployed, said he couldn't afford a fancy diet.

"So, basically, I went to the fridge and threw out everything that was going to get in my way. Everything. Cookies, candy, chips, everything," he said.

Aviance also wasn't able to go to an expensive gym.

"I said, 'What is the easiest exercise that I can do?' And walking was it," he said.

Aviance started to walk around the block. He then walked to the 99 Cents Only Store, where the low-calorie items cost less than anywhere else.

"It's a dollar. Ninety-nine cents. You can't beat it," he said.

Along with the exercise, Aviance said the produce section produced the body shape he wanted.