Janet Cole, 53: From 182 pounds to 140 pounds
Former weight: 182 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Pounds lost: 42
Height: 5 feet 2 inches
Age: 53
How long she's kept it off: She started in March and reached her current weight Oct. 1.
Personal life: "I am a customer manager associate with Aetna," Cole said. "I live in Roswell with my three granddaughters: LaQwisha, 19, Shontina, 17, Simone, 16."
Turning point: "My turning point was when my doctor was gonna try to put me on a third blood pressure pill -- when my body gets to 150 pounds, my blood pressure goes crazy," Cole said. "I didn't fit in my clothes; I wasn't happy with myself. Aetna sent out an email in February about a weight loss study with Naturally Slim (www.naturallyslim.com). I put in an application, and I was the only one picked from the Georgia office to participate."
Diet plan: She starts the day by drinking water mixed with orange juice. At 11 a.m., she eats a small snack, either peanut butter crackers or strawberries. At 1 p.m., she eats lunch, usually a chicken breast, brown rice and string beans. She eats one item at a time and eats very slowly. She has dinner at 6 p.m., and it's usually chicken or fish and vegetables.
Exercise routine: She exercises at least 30 minutes per day. "My treadmill is in my living room," she said. "I do 15 minutes and 15 and 15 -- doesn't matter as long as you do it. I have done three 5Ks this year. Me and my granddaughters do the Wii. We do 'Just Dance' on the Wii."
Biggest challenge: "Eating slow," she said. "Years ago, I was eating everything but the kitchen sink -- I was a gobbler."
How life has changed: "I have struggled with weight my entire life. This is a lifestyle change that's gonna be with me for the rest of my life. [I went] six weeks without sugar -- I stay away from sugar. I don't miss it; sugar makes you sluggish," she said. After overcoming emotional eating, she offers some advice. "Stop eating your emotions and deal with your emotions. Stop going to food to fulfill your emotions. Read a book, go for a walk; change the things you can, pray for the things you can't."
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.
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