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
Lauren Sallarulo, 29: From 275 pounds to 219 pounds
Former weight: 275 pounds
Current weight: 219 pounds
Pounds lost: 56 pounds
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Age: 29
How long she's kept it off: "I started my weight-loss journey in summer of 2014. … (In) May of 2015 … I got myself a personal trainer to help me with working out as well as nutrition."
Personal life: "I work as an accounts payable specialist for Avoxi, a telecommunication company in Marietta, Ga. I love my job and am grateful to work in a very supportive and encouraging environment. I am single and live in Chamblee, Ga."
Turning point: "The major turning point for me was back in May of 2014 when I was flying to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., visiting family and I could not buckle my seat belt. I was too ashamed to ask for an extender so I was able to buckle it, just barely, and could not move for the entire flight. … I never wanted to feel that feeling again, so I decided to make a change."
Diet plan: "I shoot for about 200 grams of protein, 100 grams of carbs, and 50 grams of fat on a daily basis." Breakfast is a protein shake with an egg white, double-protein English muffin and peanut butter. Lunch is a lunch-meat roll up and dinner is protein, a sweet potato and brown rice.
Exercise routine: "I work out five days a week with my personal trainer. I love going to the gym now. That is always my favorite time of day."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge was to convince my mind that I really wanted to lose weight and that I was worthy of losing weight. … I had been bullied in middle school and high school about my weight, and it really, really affected me. I had a traumatic event happen in college that made me put on a ton of extra weight to protect myself. … I also worked with a counselor to work through a lot of the emotional and mental portion of this journey, which was very helpful."
How life has changed: "I got my life back. I was just going through the motions of my life for about nine years. … Now I can do so many things I never thought I would have been able to do. I ran a 5K in under an hour. … This is my life and I am loving it — I can't wait to keep going and keep reaching for my goals. … I also can fit in an airplane seat and I can actually tighten the seat belt."
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