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 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
Success story
Gayle Middleton, 56: From 182 pounds to 158 pounds
Former weight: 182 pounds
Current weight: 158 pounds
Pounds lost: 24 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 7 ½ inches
Age: 56 years
How long she's kept it off: She started in November and reached her current weight in March.
Personal life: "I've been a stay-at-home mom of four kids, three boys and one girl. … We've been foster parents and very involved in our church. … I take care of my mom. … My husband is David; we've been married 32 years. He's the love of my life and my best friend." She lives in Villa Rica.
Turning point: "I go to Real Health Medical (realhealthmedical.com) and I get the bio-identical hormones. … I was just put out with my weight. … I looked at Thanksgiving pictures and I'd think, 'Who is this?'" She asked her doctor, who suggested she meet with Nancy Masoud, a metabolic specialist and weight-loss counselor. "She does the growth hormone shots; that is just tricking your body into thinking it's pregnant so your metabolism goes higher. … She's a coach and available to you — that was a big deal. too. … We text back and forth almost every day … having the coaching, the accountability, and the human growth hormone was the trick that worked."
Diet plan: For four weeks, she followed a low-calorie diet, then started increasing calories. On the low-calorie diet, breakfast was fruit with tea. Lunch and dinner were half a chicken breast, two cups of vegetables and fruit. She drinks 64 ounces of water daily. "I don't eat carbs and sweets. … I had gotten so much off the chart (weight wise) it's unbelievable. "
Exercise routine: She walks for 30 minutes at a time. "I have not exercised (much). … I know I need to, with the chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia."
Biggest challenge: "I think just retraining myself in healthy eating. I need to eat this way the rest of my life. … The only thing that I changed is the shot — I won't do that anymore."
How life has changed: "I had such a full plate and wasn't taking care of myself — that's how I gained the weight. … I looked matronly, stocky. … I'm back into my cute clothes. … People at my age just give up hope. You think you're going to be chubby and you accept it. You look at the majority of men and women in their 50s and 60s, they are carrying weight — you don't think you can get back to getting fit. … I prayed a lot. I knew that I just wasn't being the best soul God wanted me to be. … (I needed to)] be the vessel that God made me to be that is healthy."
