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 / Ron Hughes, 58: From 211 pounds to 187 pounds
Former weight: 211 pounds
Current weight: 187 pounds
Pounds lost: 24 pounds
Height: 6 feet, 2 inches
Age: 58 years
How long he's kept it off: He started in January and reached his current weight in November.
Personal life: "My wife, Prudy, and I have been married for 36 years. We have three grown children, two in college and one is a teacher. I am an assistant pastor at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church (www.johnsonferry.org). I do pastoral care and I do counseling." He lives in Roswell.
Turning point: "I have never really had a weight problem; I've always been tall and skinny. After age 40, it's harder to get off – it keeps creeping up. You go on a cruise and gain five pounds that never comes off. They were offering this class at the church." In January, he started a class with wellness coach, Jacynta Harb (www.sparkleanewyou.com). He started exercising at the same time but soon tore his meniscus, preventing further exercise. "I couldn't use my exercise to cheat on what I ate …"
Diet plan: Breakfast is an Egg Beaters omelet with cheese and grits on the side. Lunch is a grilled chicken salad. For dinner, he tries to eat salmon weekly. He regularly substitutes ground turkey for ground beef and loves vegetables. "There's some desserts that will always be tempting." Now he forgoes a big slice for a bite.
Exercise routine: "That's kind of the next thing, to get into a regular exercise routine; in the past, I've done the treadmill … My injury is fine, that was January. I went through physical therapy and surgery and recovery and physical therapy for about three to four months. I'm active around the house and around the yard, I try to walk."
Biggest challenge: "I would say the biggest challenge for me, and I'm still not doing it well, tracking everything I put in my mouth using My Fitness Pal — making that part of my lifestyle … I have a good metabolism, that's why I could eat everything I wanted to before 40 and it didn't show up, but after 40, it sure showed up."
How life has changed: "I don't have to look down and see that belly hanging out," he says. "I think when I exercise it will be easier because I'm not carrying 20 extra pounds — I think it will be easier to maintain a good exercise routine. I think I am just more aware of being healthy in my life … To me, making this a lifestyle was intimidating … now that I'm doing it — I think I can do this."
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