When she started: Sandra Watson began her lifestyle change in May.
Personal life: “I live in Marietta. I am married with grown children and grandchildren. My husband and I have been married for 53 years,” Watson said. “I worked for Macy’s for 25 years, and I’m retired now.”
The lifestyle change: “In April I went to my endocrinologist. ... They also check my A1C,” Watson said. “My A1C was 7.2, and she wanted to put me on medication for diabetes. I said, ‘No, I want to lose weight.’ ” The A1C is a blood test that measures a person’s average blood sugar levels for the previous two to three months (For more information, see the American Diabetes Association website at diabetes.org/a1c). With a level of 7.2, Watson was now considered diabetic. Her daughter suggested she try wellness coach Jacynta Harb with Sparkle Wellness (https://sparkleanewyou.com). “She was very encouraging. ... I have been on every diet that you can name. I would stay on it for a while and then I would just give up, the weight just wasn’t coming off or I didn’t enjoy the food. She said, ‘First of all this is not a diet, it’s a lifestyle change.’ I had to get that through my head that this is a lifestyle change. It all starts with your head and understanding what to do in order to change your way of thinking, and believe me it is not easy — I’m 73 years old — it’s hard to teach an old dog new tricks.”
Sandra’s how-tos:
1. Found a coach: “I had never had a fitness or wellness coach.”
2. Clean eating: “The processed foods I had to give up. Look at all the ingredients on the box, it’s like poison, all those chemicals and everything you’re putting in your body.”
3. Started moving: “I started walking.”
Healthy eating: “I am a sugarholic. I had to get off the sugar.” She began eating vegetables, grass-fed beef and wild-caught salmon.
Exercise changes: “When I first started in May, I could only walk for 20 minutes. I am up to 45 minutes to an hour now.”
Biggest challenge: “I am a Southern cook, and you know what that means. So I am learning new ways of preparing my food.”
How life has changed: “I’m halfway through my journey, and I’m now at a 5.5 A1C — I am no longer prediabetic or diabetic.”
Sandra’s top tips:
1. Having a health coach: “It’s so nice to have somebody to help you along, not going in cold turkey trying to figure it out yourself. I had tried myself before, and I was like, ‘Well, I’m bored with this.’ ”
2. Check websites for recipes: “There are several websites you can go to that have all kinds of good recipes.” Her favorites include Pinterest, Whole 30, Food Babe, Skinny Taste and Dashing Dish. “You can do salmon, a side and a salad,” Watson said, “but that gets old.”
3. Faith: “My faith was part of the journey. ... We need all the help we can get.”
4. It’s not that easy: “Also, I know I want to be compassionate about people, that diabetes is hereditary and sometimes you can’t overcome it. My story is just an example. If you’re just starting out with diabetes, you could just try and see what happens.”
Seeking readers’ stories of lifestyle changes: We’re looking for your stories of changes in health habits that are leading to successful lifestyle changes. We want before and after photos, plus your step-by-step suggestions and how-tos. While The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific programs, we include names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. If you would like to share your story of a change in health habits, please contact reporter Michelle C. Brooks and include your email address, 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 directly at: ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
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