Geri Parrish, 56, Marietta
From 299 pounds to 186 pounds
Former weight: 299 pounds
Current weight: 186 pounds
Pounds lost: 113
Height: 5 feet 1 inch
Age: 56
How long she's kept it off: Started Weight Watchers a year ago at 279 pounds. "Still going for more of a loss," Parrish said. "For the last year, I have recorded a loss every week."
Personal life: "I work for Urology of Greater Atlanta ... in the business office," she said. "I was born in Miami and moved to Georgia about 14 years ago. I currently reside in Marietta. I have one son, Jonathan, who's 26 and lives in Roswell."
Turning point: "Last year on my 55th birthday, I decided to prepare my bucket list. As I added to it, I realized the only thing keeping me from accomplishing most of my goals [were the weight restrictions]. My bucket list had no chance of getting off to a good start unless they make a kayak with a much larger opening. Zip lining was out of the question since they reserve the right to verify your weight. My physician told me that my blood pressure was rising, diabetes would soon follow and my asthma was getting worse ... I always took pride [in] being a healthy fat person. Now, I was facing the reality of where my health and lifestyle were heading, and it wasn't the path I wanted. I opted for a healthy lifestyle change and Weight Watchers."
Diet plan: She snacks on fruits and veggies and cooks healthy recipes for dinner such as mango chicken sausage with black beans and rice. "Before I start to eat something that is not a wise choice, I think about how wonderful it feels to step on the scale every week and see a decrease, " she said.
Exercise routine: "I belong to a gym and try to go three times a week," she said.
Biggest challenge: "I was terrified of failure," she said. "It was a month or two until I told anyone what I was doing."
How life has changed: "I am now the person outside that I was inside," she said. "I have more energy, I feel great and I can honestly say I am loving life -- even the bad days. [I have] renewed old friendships and made lots of new ones -- which I attribute to the new outgoing me."
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 email ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
