SUCCESS STORY / Michele Koch, 45: From 170 pounds to 140 pounds
Former weight: 170 pounds
Current weight: 140 pounds
Pounds lost: 30 pounds
Height: 5 feet 3 inches
Age: 45 years
How long she's kept it off: "I joined Sparkle A New You, working with wellness coach Jacynta Harb, in February of 2016 and reached my current weight in November 2017," Koch said.
Personal life: "I am the mom of two awesome little humans, Mackenzie, 6, and Jack, 4. I'm a marketing professional, having worked with both best-in-class and emerging brands for the past 20-plus years," Koch said. "I ran the NYC Marathon this past November, my first marathon ever, and I am registered for the Chicago Marathon next October. My husband, Dustin, and I live in Marietta and just celebrated our 10-year wedding anniversary this year. I am currently in a career transition and actively seeking new opportunities. … Additionally, I am studying for the GRE and plan to apply to part-time MBA programs for fall 2019 admissions."
Turning point: "I wasn't happy in my own skin," Koch said. "I was tired of being tired and sluggish all the time. I felt like the excitement and passion for life that I felt on the inside didn't match with what I was seeing on the outside. I wanted to live a bigger life and didn't want the way I looked or felt to slow me down. A friend had told me about a (wellness) coach she was working with … (on) the reasons behind why she hadn't been able to lose weight in the past. … I called Jacynta later that day. … It was and is more than just losing weight. It was about living a healthy life, setting goals for your life and being truly fulfilled as a person — mind, body and soul."
Diet plan: "I eat clean as much as possible," Koch said. Breakfast is boiled eggs and berries or avocado toast. Lunch is salad in a jar. Dinner is grilled protein and roasted vegetables.
Exercise routine: "I was not exercising with any consistency before 2016. … I was introduced to Body Jump Fitness in Marietta, and I fell in love. I have been going consistently ever since March 2016. I built up over time, but now I go two to three times a week to HIIT, high intensity interval training, classes and I do personal training once per week. I also run 10 to 15 miles a week."
Biggest challenge: "Making time to meal plan and prep," Koch said. "It was hard at first to get into a groove with Sunday night meal prep for the week."
How life has changed: "I feel more confident and don't feel scared to try things, especially anything physical," Koch said. "I want to set an example for my children not just to make good and healthy choices, but that when they put their mind to something and put in the work they can achieve big things — like running a marathon."
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.
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