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.
Former weight: 288 pounds
Current weight: 187 pounds
Pounds lost: 101 pounds
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Age: 42 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started in 1998, still working on maintaining and losing," says Cheeley. "If I stay where I am, that would be fine."
Personal life: "I am the owner of Dulz Hairsalon in Hapeville," she says. "I am a hair stylist, have been for 20 years. I live in Decatur, I'm single and have a wonderful Rottweiler, Patterjoe … he goes with me on a lot of walks."
Turning point: "I know it was around 1998 … I knew I was big, but I went into [a larger-sized] store and saw a pretty red dress. The largest size in the store was 24," she says. "I couldn't get it on … I was devastated … That's when I knew I had to do something." She started by changing her diet and letting go of fast food. "I was a fast-food junkie," she says. "I was always grabbing something. I could eat, with no problem, two double Whoppers with cheese, onion rings and a regular Coke." When she started trying to work out, she faced a new challenge. "People mocked me in the gym," she says. But she didn't let that stop her. "I knew that I could lose it. I wanted to make a lifestyle change. You've got to put aside what people are saying."
Diet plan: Her day starts with an acai juice blend, and she eats every two hours, usually a boiled egg or salad. She also eats lots of fish. "I don't eat after 6 p.m. in the evening. If I eat at 6 p.m. then I have to do something active. I have a refrigerator at the salon; I always have a spinach salad in there or spring mix with cranberries and low-fat feta cheese. When I open up the fridge, I grab that."
Exercise routine: "Usually I work out five days per week," she says. "I could do anything from the step aerobics to taking in a spin class, spin class helps with endurance when I'm running. I run three times per week. Working out has become a big, big part of my life." Since 2008 she has worked out with Casi's Straight Military Style Bootcamp. "Casi made me one of her squad leaders … I'm trying to help other women get to where they want to be."
Biggest challenge: "I think my biggest challenge would be maintaining," she says. "When you first start, you see the results, it starts getting easier, then you plateau and that pushed the challenge."
How life has changed: "I look people in the eye now, I don't look sideways at them. It hasn't changed me as a person on the inside, but I have more confidence," she says. "That girl in the dressing room is never coming back without a fight — I'm going to fight as though my life depends on it. Plus, I am not going to buy a new wardrobe."
About the Author
