SUCCESS STORY /Elizabeth A. Miller, 62: From 310 pounds to 175 pounds
Former weight: 310 pounds
Current weight: 175 pounds
Pounds lost: 135 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 4 inches
Age: 62 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started on my weight-loss journey with Weight Watchers on Sept. 12, 2014, and reached my current goal weight on May 26, 2017. … I have maintained my goal weight and actually lost an additional 5 pounds."
Personal life: "I live in Atlanta, Ga. I have been retired for five years after working for the federal government as a secretary. Since losing my weight, I have adopted a calico cat named Minnie."
Turning point: "Before losing weight, I was using a cane because I was having trouble walking and standing. I decided to join Weight Watchers to help resolve this problem. I felt great staying on the program after the first week. Started exercising slowly, too. I was wearing a size 3X in clothes. … I kept thinking I'd have it off in a year, but that was a lot of weight to take off."
Diet plan: She follows the Weight Watchers Simply Filling Plan. Breakfast is yogurt, oatmeal or eggs. Lunch is protein with fruit. Dinner is salads, vegetables, protein and fruits. Once a week, she enjoys a sweet indulgence: "It might be cookies or ice cream. I feel like if I don't do that, I might really go off track."
Exercise routine: "I exercise five days a week. Each day, I go to the track and walk 1 1/4 miles. Every six months, I increase my exercise. In November of this year, I will be walking 1 1/2 miles five times a week. Also, during the summer season, I perform water aerobics in the swimming pool on a weekly basis."
Biggest challenge: "During my journey, I had to change my mental attitude in order to stay with the program and lose weight. Being a very sensitive person, I had to learn to not take things so seriously or be offended by negative comments from people, or deal with them in a different manner that did not involve me using food as a replacement. This has allowed me to grow as a person and learn how to be able to deal with problems in my life without feeding my emotions with food. I have had to be true to myself and value and respect myself."
How life has changed: "When I was heavier, I felt as though people really did not listen to me or take me seriously. Now, I feel as though people look at me differently and respect my opinions. I have much more energy now. This has allowed me to be able to keep up with people as well as life on a daily basis. Before, I couldn't stand too long — I had to sit down. Now, I walk a mile like five times per week. I feel 100 percent better."
Share Your Success: Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, a daytime phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
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