Robyn Johnson, 33, of Lithonia lost 110 pounds

In the photo on the left, taken in August 2017, Robyn Johnson weighed 230 pounds. In the photo on the right taken in May of Johnson and her 3-year-old daughter, Riley, she weighed 154 pounds. (Photos contributed by Robyn Johnson)

In the photo on the left, taken in August 2017, Robyn Johnson weighed 230 pounds. In the photo on the right taken in May of Johnson and her 3-year-old daughter, Riley, she weighed 154 pounds. (Photos contributed by Robyn Johnson)

SUCCESS STORY / Robyn Johnson, 33: From 265 pounds to 155 pounds

Former weight: 265 pounds

Current weight: 155 pounds

Pounds lost: 110 pounds

Height: 5 feet 1 inch

Age: 33 years

How long she's kept it off: She started three years ago and reached her current weight five months ago.

Personal life: "I live in the Lithonia area. I am single and have a daughter who will be 3 in July," Johnson said. "I have been in Atlanta for 26 years. … I've been an employee of Comcast for nearly 11 years."

Turning point: "I had a baby, but before I had my baby, I was a large to XL. … When I got pregnant, I gained almost 50 pounds. I guess I was just tired of feeling the extra weight I couldn't lose; I went through a lot of postpartum depression. I had to seek a lot of therapy — my weight was part of that journey. I wasn't comfortable with myself anymore after having a baby," Johnson said. "… I have always struggled with my weight. I was always on a diet or trying different diet pills. … As I got older, I had confidence in myself that I was a beautiful woman, but I was tired of being so heavy. I was thinking healthwise: High blood pressure and diabetes run in my family." Three years ago she had bariatric sleeve surgery, and then, when she hit a plateau, "I met with Dr. Eduard Fatakhov at the Center for Internal and Integrative Medicine in January," she said. "He put me on a medication, Saxenda. … He told me not to get on the scale and make weight loss my focus. I ate very healthy, I walked every day and drank water. … The weight came off. … I didn't want to get too skinny and lose the natural curves that God has given me."

Diet plan: She follows a high-protein diet and avoids pasta and sugar.

Exercise routine: "I went walking every day and went to the gym three times per week," Johnson said. With the pandemic curtailing her regular exercise regimen, she continues to walk and be active with her daughter.

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge is keeping it off. Food is really delicious. Yep, it is. I always tell people that," Johnson said. "My biggest fear is to get back overweight. … When your stomach tells you, you are full, you are full — remove yourself from the table."

How life has changed: "I have more energy. … If you want something bad enough, you've got to be disciplined in everything you do. If food is a challenge for you, you can't let food control you. Food is something we all love, but sometimes food can control us, especially if we are battling depression. … Food was my outlet; now it's like I'm gorgeous. I am not going to let food control me. I am going to learn how to say no. … Postpartum (depression) is real. … A lot of people think depression is a state of mind, but it's not — it's a real thing."


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.