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 Patty Murphy, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY / Briana Lowe, 39: From 220 pounds to 152 pounds
Former weight: 220 pounds
Current weight: 152 pounds
Pounds lost: 68
Height: 5 feet 3 inches
Age: 39
How long she's kept it off: "In August of 2011 I started trying to lose weight, I reached my goal weight in May 2012 and have maintained it," says Lowe.
Personal life: "I work in procurement at a baggage handling company in Marietta, I have a husband and three daughters all grown. I also have two new granddaughters who are the light of my life. I live in Dallas Ga."
Turning point: "My journey began when I went to the doctor at 37 years old and they wanted to put me on cholesterol medicine for high cholesterol," she says. "I felt I was way too young to be on medicine and knew I had to make some changes or I was going to end up a very unhealthy obese person."
Diet plan: "When I first started, the biggest thing for me was to cut out all sodas, I went from drinking six Mountain Dews a day to drinking nothing but water; no juice, no anything but water. I ate scrambled eggs for breakfast, a salad and some form of meat at lunch and a small meal at night consisting of vegetables and either chicken or fish. I cut out about 80 percent of the red meat I was eating and stuck with chicken and fish a lot. I also cut out any types of sweets and ate fresh fruits."
Exercise routine: "Started out doing Jillian Michaels' DVD's at home," she says. When she joined a gym, she added kickboxing and aqua aerobics. "[I] bought a mountain bike to ride on the Silver Comet trail three times a week. I also hired a personal trainer to train me two days a week in strength training."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge has been the setback of having a major rotator cuff tear that had to be surgically repaired in June 2013, sidelining me from exercise for about two months. It has been difficult to maintain, not being able to exercise as much as I was in the beginning, and has meant having to change my diet constantly to compensate."
How life has changed: "Life is great," she says, "not only did I lose all the weight to make me feel better, I also quit smoking in May 2013 which has greatly improved my ability to do cardio. My goal this year is to run six races and complete a triathlon. Last year I ran my first obstacle course race ever and ended up completing three total before having shoulder surgery." Don't stop is her advice: "If you have a bad day of eating or you get frustrated just don't give up. Rome wasn't built in a day and you can't expect to lose all that weight in a day. Just keep pushing and make the next day a better one. We all have bad days … let it go and pick up to keep moving forward."
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