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 e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
SUCCESS STORY / Patti Taylor Cole, 56: From 328 pounds to 134 pounds
Former weight: 328 pounds
Current weight: 134 pounds
Pounds lost: 194 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Age: 56 years
How long she's kept it off: "I lost the biggest majority of my weight, 70 percent, in the first year so it's been almost two years," said Cole, who started in 2012 and reached her current weight in December.
Personal life: In 2013, the Mableton native moved from Carrollton to Adairsville, for a position with Surya Inc. "I have two amazing grown sons, Brad and Karl," she said. "I share my home with two Chihuahuas and my life and heart with my boyfriend, who makes each day special."
Turning point: "At 54 years old, I woke up on April Fool's Day 2012 and knew with no uncertainty that it was an easy choice: Live or die. My doctor had just given me a vial of insulin and needles to replace the oral type 2 diabetes pills I was on. I had just been released from the ICU with congestive heart failure. I had metabolic disease. I had Barrett's esophagus. I was depressed due to the chronic pain of my joints from my 328 pounds. I used the victim mentality I had developed following years of bad luck: the death of my parents, the loss of my home in a fire, waking up to my husband having passed away in the night, realizing I couldn't afford to keep the home we had just rebuilt, a warning heart attack, multiple surgeries and just all-in-all rotten luck as an excuse to hide from life for over a decade."
Diet plan: She follows Atkins (www.atkins.com). "[I] never look at it as a diet — I decided to change my lifestyle …" Breakfast is coffee and string cheese. Lunch and dinner include lean protein and vegetables.
Exercise routine: "I don't follow any type of regimented exercise routine, but do love to walk with the puppies …"
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge was finding out who I was as the image in the mirror changed so dramatically. Also, believing in myself and accepting I was worth the fight for my health."
How life has changed: "The woman I am now is self-confident, assured and accepting of her life … All my health issues are resolved," she said. "People need to be aware that following a large weight-loss, it's not just your body that changes — the dynamics of almost all my relationships have changed … It took me a while to realize that this isn't just because of the way I look — it's mainly because of the way I look at myself."
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