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 / Cheryl Freeman, 40: From 268 pounds to 198 pounds
Former weight: 268 pounds
Current weight: 198 pounds
Pounds lost: 70
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Age: 40
How long she's kept it off: Started in June 2013 and reached her current weight this month.
Personal life: "(I am) a mother of three teenagers, two girls and a sickle cell anemia son, that lives in southwest Atlanta. I work two jobs: (a front desk supervisor at a Midtown condo and a security officer), 12 hours a day, six days a week."
Turning point: "I was always 250 pounds plus and didn't really care too much as long as my son was well and not going to the ER," she says. "At that time, my goal was to work and provide for my family. While working so many hours a day, I never monitored what my kids ate. My youngest daughter would always call me and ask for snacks. My reply was, get it. It continued until last summer when she called me at work crying about her weight. She was overweight. I knew I was responsible for her weight. I bought the junk food. I let her eat all she wanted. I let her sleep as long as she wanted on weekends. She was the image of me. I ate junk food. I ate all I wanted … and when I was home, I slept all the time. I was destroying my life and my daughter's life … We sat down and came up with a plan on how to turn this weight problem around. We went to Wal-Mart and bought vegetables, fruits, and low-fat everything. I made an exercise schedule and set a goal for myself. I had to lead by example."
Diet plan: "I designed my own plan with my mother's help," she says. She also recorded her eating with a fitness app. For breakfast, she switched to Special K with skim milk, dropped eggs for egg whites and now eats whole wheat waffles and bagels. Lunch is a turkey sandwich with celery or carrot sticks. Dinner is baked fish or chicken, wild rice and vegetables. She reaches for apples, nuts and cottage cheese for snacks.
Exercise routine: "I exercise at my apartment gym at least three or four times a week for an hour. I will do a combination of strength and cardio. I love the elliptical machine."
Biggest challenge: "Taking control of my bad eating habits was my biggest challenge," she says.
How life has changed: "I understand why kids like to jump and run — it's fun," she says. "I can't remember the last time I hopped (on) one leg or ran around like a kid. I feel like I have been asleep, in a coma, and am now waking up. I am enjoying life!" Her advice for others includes: "(There) will be days you want to give in or are too tired to exercise. Just be patient with yourself and don't give up. As long as you have breath in you, it's never too late to make a change."
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