SUCCESS STORY / Elise Schoeff, 61: From 200 pounds to 168 pounds
Former weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 168 pounds
Pounds lost: 32 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Age: 61 years
How long she's kept it off: "I began my body and life transformation on April 1, 2017, and have lost 32 pounds by December," Schoeff said. "The pounds have come off slowly and steadily."
Personal life: "I am a retired special educator from the Marietta City School system. I have been married 30 years to Tim Schoeff, and we have two children: Sarah Smith, 28, … and Jacob Schoeff, 25. We have two grandchildren, Peyton and Parker, and a son-in-law, Ryan Smith. I am a self-employed retailer for LuLaRoe clothing."
Turning point: "I was on four blood pressure medications and a cholesterol-lowering medication. I was also diagnosed with osteopenia," she said. "I decided I wanted to get off the meds and also make sure that the osteopenia did not turn into osteoporosis. I received an email from Alex, one of the owners from Body and Life Transformation (www.bodyandlifetransformations.com) about a six-week starter program, and I decided to give it a try." She joined the gym in April and has been attending group fitness and yoga classes, and lifting weights.
Diet plan: Breakfast is scrambled eggs with a thin bagel. Lunch is a turkey sandwich. She snacks on peanut butter and apples. Dinner is grilled or baked fish, vegetables, a sweet potato and rice.
Exercise routine: "I went to the gym for group classes three times a week to begin. I also did yoga classes, which was included in my membership. I couldn't do much and suffered from vertigo and shoulder, hip and knee pain. The coaches modified all the exercises so that I could do something, and the other ladies were all so welcoming and encouraging. As I continued, they pushed me to do more and more each time," she said. "I really surprised myself as I got so much stronger and leaner."
Biggest challenge: "I'd say my biggest challenge was to continue working out with the vertigo and shoulder pains. I couldn't have done it if the coaches didn't work with me so closely and modify the exercises or give me something totally different to do," Schoeff said. "They really differentiated the workouts to help the individual."
How life has changed: "I guess I can say that I am pretty obsessed with my exercise and eating these days," she said. "I have added weights into my routine the last few months. I have been removed from most of my blood pressure medications. I have more energy and feel so much stronger." Her tips for others include: "Drinking water is key. … It's never too late to make a change in your life."
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.
