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 email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY / Laura Ramos, 42: From 240 pounds to 125 pounds
Former weight: 240 pounds
Current weight: 125 pounds
Pounds lost: 115 pounds
Height: 5 feet 10 inches
Age: 42 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started in June 2009 and reached my goal weight in October 2010. I've kept it off for almost three years," Ramos said. "I reached my current weight in November 2011."
Personal life: "I'm a single mom to a 9-year-old daughter who always inspires me to live my best life. I'm the advertising manager at Stone Mountain Park, so I'm fortunate that I get to work at a place where I can be active." She lives in Lawrenceville.
Turning point: "My turning point was sitting through my daughter's kindergarten graduation and realizing the responsibility of raising a girl and understanding that my own habits have the ability to influence her attitude about health and body image," she said. "Since I work at Stone Mountain Park, I saw people every day running, hiking and cycling, and realized that if they could find the time to do it, then I could find the time to do it. I struggled with weight gain after being put on bed rest while being pregnant. I didn't decide to focus on losing the weight until my daughter was 5."
Diet plan: "I read everything I could on the subject of nutrition … 'Eat, Drink, and Be Healthy: The Harvard Medical School Guide to Healthy Eating' by Walter C. Willett, M.D., and P.J. Skerrett was probably the most informative book I read on the topic," she said. A typical day starts with an egg-white omelet. Lunch is yogurt with fruit. Dinner is salmon and steamed veggies. She tracks everything on her MyFitnessPal app. "I continue to make healthy choices … and don't deprive myself of anything. If I want french fries, then I eat french fries."
Exercise routine: "My exercise of choice is running. It's what I most enjoy. I try and run the 5-mile loop around Stone Mountain Park at least three times a week."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge is I find joy in baking — cakes, cookies, biscuits, pies, you name it — I love to bake it. It took me a while to realize that I can still do that and enjoy it with moderation."
How life has changed: "I credit my success with realizing that I had to turn this issue over to God and ask for His help," she said. "I feel great, and I'm healthier than I ever have been. … I also have more compassion for those who struggle with their weight because I've been through it and can relate. I'm never ashamed to tell people I had the same struggle but was able to overcome it. … Make eating and lifestyle changes that you can sustain for the rest of your life because once the weight comes off, you can't go back to your old ways."
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