SUCCESS STORY / Marissa Goss, 46: From 199 pounds to 149 pounds
Former weight: 199 pounds
Current weight: 149 pounds
Pounds lost: 50 pounds
Height: 5 feet 2 inches
Age: 46 years
How long she's kept it off: Started in January 2017 and reached her current weight on Friday.
Personal life: I live in Jonesboro. I'm a district manager for a retail business, and I have three children," Goss said.
Turning point: "I used to live in Louisiana for four years. Everybody down there can cook. I think it got out of hand with all that good food," Goss said. "I am anemic, so I went to the doctor, and when I got on the scale and saw 199 pounds, I didn't like that at all. I drive down Tara Boulevard almost daily, and I saw Casi's Straight Military Style Bootcamp when I first got here around 2016. I sat in the parking lot one day and thought military-style boot camp, I thought, 'I can't do that.' I waited another whole year, then I just went for it. I tried to get some people to do it with me but they wouldn't, so I just went by myself. I paid for it online, and I just started."
Diet plan: When she started, she eliminated meat for 10 days and drank only water. After that, she added back in chicken, fish and lean turkey. During the workday, she no longer eats out for lunch. "I eat every two hours to keep my metabolism up," she said. "One day a week is greens day, we eat nothing but green vegetables."
Exercise routine: She does boot camp five days a week. On weekends, she runs an extra 2 to 4 miles. "I run either Saturday or Sunday — whichever day I can squeeze it in with my schedule," Goss said.
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge has been staying on the meal plan," Goss said. "Wednesday is a real big challenge because it is raw greens day all day. We can eat cucumbers, celery, spinach, kale, anything that is green or raw. No, you can't have it in a smoothie or juice it, you have to eat it — it's tough."
How life has changed: "I have more energy. I look good. I feel good. You can do other activities that you normally can't do if you are heavier," she said. "I did the indoor skydiving, and you can't do that if you are over 250 pounds — you can't do it. It means that I can enjoy things with my kids that I wasn't able to do in the past. I was able to do it with my son, and we had a good time." And what would she say to that woman in the parking lot who sat in her car contemplating boot camp but didn't go inside? "That she should have started earlier," Goss said. "Don't doubt yourself — you've just got to go do it. If you are going to start something like this, you have to have your mind set and have it in your mindset. I am going to do this. I am going to keep moving — just don't stop."
Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy 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 (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
