Success story
Janet Stallings, 52: From 200 pounds to 140 pounds
Former weight: 200 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Pounds lost: 60 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 6 inches
Age: 52 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started in 2013; (it) took me about a year to lose all that weight," Stallings said.
Personal life: "I live in Woodstock. I own a collection agency in Marietta — it's a family business. I have two daughters, a sister and a brother-in-law that work there."
Turning point: She started with Weight Watchers and limiting portions. On Oct. 4, 2015, everything changed when she had a stroke. "When this happened, it was a shock. I ate good; I was physically fit — I think that is what saved me. It was a malformation in my brain stem I had since birth; it just happened. … It hit me out of nowhere. I was at the gym when I had it. … I had just gotten on the machine and started feeling kind of funny. I thought it was because I hadn't eaten a lot. It changed my life forever." She did not have cognitive issues from the stroke. She is currently regaining her strength with Justin Hunt, her personal trainer at Anytime Fitness in Towne Lake. "Justin has been great — he is a great motivator."
Diet plan: Breakfast is yogurt with granola. Lunch is a salad, and dinner varies.
Exercise routine: "I am personal training Monday through Friday — it's 30 minutes, but I get there in time to do cardio. Sometimes, I am doing 20 minutes; I used to not be able to do that. … (My trainer) works a lot on my cardio, as well. He puts me in those stations and I sweat so much. So, it's a good mix; he may do arms one day, may concentrate on my legs (another) day."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge has been to get over what I used to do. … I still had a lot of trouble lifting weights over my head. That was hard to overcome. … I had no muscle in (one) leg. … When I went to see my occupational therapist, my arm was still not right. I needed to do bilateral exercises instead of isolating, because your stronger arm will tell your weaker arm what to do. … You have to tell your foot a few times."
How life has changed: "As far as the weight, you feel better about yourself when you are in shape. … It makes me feel stronger and just a lot better about myself. … Those endorphins — it's really true. When you first get there, you don't want to be there. It takes about 10 minutes in, then, all of a sudden, I'm there 30 to 40 minutes. It's just worth it. It may take a bunch of effort, but it is worth it in the long run. You just never know; I think it helped me get back to where I want to be, that would be my say on it."
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.
