SUCCESS STORY / Karen Rosenberg, 51: From 160 pounds to 130 pounds
Former weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 130 pounds
Pounds lost: 30 pounds
Height: 5 feet 3 inches
Age: 51 years old
How long she's kept it off: "I started my diet in late January 2019 and reached my goal mid-June 2019," Rosenberg said.
Personal life: "I've been married for 22 years," Rosenberg said. "My husband and I have two daughters, 20 and 17 years of age." She lives in Dunwoody and is a retired hairdresser.
Turning point: "I have always tried to model healthy eating and good exercise habits for my family," Rosenberg said. "I've battled my weight for as long as I can remember. I've tried every diet out there. I would take the weight off, but it would slowly creep back on. I've suffered from what I believe to be irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) for half my life. I was at a high point in my weight and dealing with painful IBS when I heard about this program with Nancy Masoud, a metabolic specialist, called LockedIN Wellness through a friend. I decided after reading about the program that I'd give it a try. I needed to feel better and take off 30 pounds. She talked to me about what I was going through and designed a program specific to me. I truly felt better after the first week. My body was so inflamed. I learned what foods my body agrees with and what foods it doesn't agree with. I felt great. Come to find out it wasn't IBS, but food sensitivity issues that I was dealing with."
Diet plan: "I typically have an egg and an apple for breakfast. Lunch and dinner vary," Rosenberg said. "… When I do, I eat gluten-free. That seems to work well with my body. I don't eat dairy, and there's lots of things on the market today that make following a plan like that easy."
Exercise routine: "I work out three days a week with a personal trainer. I do cardio two days on my own," she said. "Building muscle while losing weight at my age is important. It helps me to maintain my weight loss and keeps me toned."
Biggest challenge: "While on the plan, it was really hard going out to dinner," Rosenberg said. "I found it much easier to stay home and cook my meals and avoid temptation. I missed having a glass of wine — no alcohol while you're on the program."
How life has changed: "I stuck strictly to my plan; the benefits were so rewarding," Rosenberg said. "I was looking better by the week and feeling great. When you're fueling your body properly with the things that it likes, it makes it easy. … After doing this plan, I'm really in touch with how foods make me feel. The saying 'you are what you eat' is certainly true for me. One last thing that may help with meal planning is Pinterest. It was my go-to for ideas on meals. I plan to continue eating this way forever"
Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. 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, 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.
