When Marissa Goss first considered boot camp, she pulled into the parking lot of a military-style boot camp, thought she couldn't do it and drove away. A year later she decided to sign up, quickly discovered yes she can and dropped 50 pounds with lifestyle changes in her eating and exercise habits. (https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/health/marissa-goss-jonesboro-lost-pounds/N8XZ2gRNlOHeW9zurhBzYM/)
In her 60s after surviving cancer, Terri Jo Bever, 65, found her sparkle and lost 41 pounds. (https://www.ajc.com/lifestyles/health/terri-bever-marietta-lost-pounds/RdgFa3aPQ5WhQ31E7h0dZL/)
Ronnie Bell’s wake-up call rang when a blood test showed he was pre-diabetic. Bell, 52, and his wife found a trainer, and he went on to lose 28 pounds.
Rookmin Maharaj, 44, learned food allergies were making her gain girth. When she took an elimination diet approach, it helped her get back into her pre-pregnancy jeans.
These and hundreds of other Georgians have shared their inspiring stories in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's weekly weight-loss column, Success Stories, since 2004. We are always looking for stories that feature a variety of weight-loss approaches but focus on that key ingredient for long-term success — a lifestyle change. If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (preferably JPEG, horizontal images, no selfies), and contact our reporter, Michelle C. Brooks, at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks at: ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
And what would Goss say to that woman in the parking lot who sat in her car contemplating boot camp but didn’t go inside? Goss said: “That she should have started earlier. Don’t doubt yourself — you’ve just got to go do it.”
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