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 / Gail Trauco, 55: From 402 pounds to 151 pounds
Former weight: 402 pounds
Current weight: 151 pounds
Pounds lost: 251 pounds
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Age: 55
How long she's kept it off: She's maintained her weight since 2008.
Personal life: She lives in Forsyth with her three sons, dogs and horses. A registered nurse, Trauco travels to cancer centers where she works as a grief mediator with metastatic disease patients.
Turning point: "After caring for patients and clients my entire life, self-care became the paramount issue," says Trauco. "Living in an obese body makes daily functionality difficult. I was unable to tie my shoes, did not fit in a booth … and had to use seat belt extensions for air travel." In November 2001, she had Lap-Band surgery. "The revolutionary operation was made possible when I agreed to allow Norton Hospital (Louisville, Ky.) to tape my surgery for promotional use," she says. Using a stomach-banding system, the Lap-Band limits the amount of food your stomach holds. She still had to make a lifestyle change to lose and keep off the weight; she's maintained her current weight since 2008.
Diet plan: "I am a vegetarian and consume a plant-based diet. I consume fish three to four times per week," she says. She eats cheese, eggs, nuts, organic peanut butter and a lot of greens. She drinks more than a liter of water per day.
Exercise routine: "I am an avid horseback rider and enjoy trail riding," she says. "I also walk five miles with one of my dogs at least three times per week. I also work out with a personal trainer at the local gym one to two times per week. I exercise daily – even when traveling. A tension exercise band is very useful and a 30-minute workout can be easily accomplished in any hotel room."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge during the entire weight process was doing it alone," she says. "I was already beginning divorce proceedings when the procedure was completed and within the same calendar year was forced to lay off all employees for my business."
How life has changed: "As a life cycle coach, grief mediator and psychic medium, I have found that since I have lost weight, my vision is clearer … weight loss enabled me to better handle the clients who come to me to lose weight or overcome any major life trauma or challenge," she says. "My sons are the primary grocery shoppers, with Jordan, the chef, the driving force for menus. Family involvement in healthy eating is critical in order for one to maintain long-term weight loss."
