Judy Brewer of Acworth sheds 33 pounds

• Former weight: 183 pounds

• Current weight: 150 pounds

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Family

Judy Brewer, 56: From 183 pounds to 150 pounds.

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Family

‘…I hate to exercise, but I know that I have to do it if I want to control my weight and enjoy my life again. ‘

• Pounds lost: 33 pounds

• Height: 5 feet 5 inches

• How long she’s kept it off: Started her weight loss journey in April 2008 and still losing.

• Personal life: “I have a full-time job as a homemaker, wife, mother and Nana,” says Brewer. She and Floyd have been married for 37 years and have two adult children and three grandsons. She and her family live in Acworth.

• Turning point: “After the death of my wonderful mother-in-law in 2006, I went into a depression in which I found my comfort in food,” says Brewer. “After going to the doctor in April of this year and finding out I had gained 33 pounds in one year and that my blood pressure was very high, I decided it was time to take control of my life again.”

• Diet plan: “I don’t have a set diet plan. I do watch my carbs and fat intake and pay attention to the amount of food I am eating. When I begin to feel depression setting in, I will get out of the house and away from the food that is tempting me,” she says. Breakfast is a protein drink or an egg and tomato. Lunch is chicken salad on light whole-wheat bread or a tomato sandwich and dinner is grilled meat and vegetables.

• Exercise routine: “I joined Ladies Workout Express in April of this year. I go there three times a week to walk or jog on the treadmill and do a workout under the guidance of my trainer, Michael Abu,” she says. “On the days I don’t go to the fitness center, you will see me walking the hilly streets of my subdivision.”

• Biggest challenge: “My biggest challenge in all this is that I hate to exercise, but I know that I have to do it if I want to control my weight and enjoy my life again,” she says. “I have learned to persevere in my exercise program. Even on days I don’t feel like doing it and I have a very busy schedule, I force myself to make that trip because I know Mike is waiting for me to give me a good workout as he encourages me.”

• How life has changed: “I am so much more energized, and my blood pressure is so much better,” she says. “My husband, Floyd, and I are getting back into playing tennis again, something we haven’t done in two years.” And on a recent trip with her family, Brewer says, “it felt so good to again have the energy to keep up with those three grandsons in whatever they wanted to do.”

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