Leslie Larkins of Woodstock loses 65 pounds

By Michelle C. Brooks

For the AJC

Former weight: 190 pounds

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Family photo BEFORE: Leslie Larkins weighed 190 pounds in this October 2009 photo.

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Family photo AFTER: Leslie Larkins weighed 124 pounds in this December 2011 photo.

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Current weight: 125 pounds

Pounds lost: 65 pounds

Height: 5 feet 2 inches

Age: 35

How long she’s kept it off: She began in March 2011 and met her goal weight in mid-December.

Personal life: “I currently reside in Woodstock, Ga., and am a stay-at-home mom to three young children: 6, 4 and 21 months,” says Larkins. “I worked [for an insurance brokerage firm for ten years] but was laid off in June of this year. The layoff has actually been quite a blessing, as it has afforded me the opportunity to be at home full-time with my children and also to focus on becoming healthy.”

Turning point: “In early 2011, my son’s preschool sent home a note asking for each child to bring in a family photo,” she says. “As I poured through half a dozen albums, it dawned on me that there were no photos of our family together. ... I became the official family photographer in an effort to avoid being captured on film. ... I was allowing obesity and vanity to get in the way of living life and preserving memories with my loved ones.”

Diet plan: She follows Weight Watchers Points Plus plan. Breakfast is oatmeal, a banana and coffee. Lunch is a ham and turkey sandwich. Dinner is grilled fish or chicken, a salad and veggies.

Exercise routine: “I work out five to six times [each week] for 45 minutes to an hour,” she says. “My main source of cardio is running, but I’ll also throw in long power walks or try to clock some time on the elliptical at the gym. I also do crunches, pushups, planks and hand weights several times a week. I also participate in one 5K per month to stay motivated.”

Biggest challenge: “My biggest challenge was learning to make time for myself in the midst of caring for three young children,” she says. “It takes commitment and dedication to find ways to carve out time to plan meals, fit in exercise and attend weekly meetings, but it can be done.”

How life has changed: “I’m now living my life instead of just watching it pass me by,” she says. “I’m healthy and active and am setting a much better example for my children.”

Be an inspiration: If you've made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, Ga, 30346-1301; or e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.