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 / Deanna Tyson, 46: From 176 pounds to 142 pounds
Former weight: 176 pounds
Current weight: 142 pounds
Pounds lost: 34 pounds
Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Age: 46 years
How long she's kept it off: She started September 2014. "I'm a work in progress; hit 142 pounds about four weeks ago," said Tyson.
Personal life: "I live in Atlanta; I am an esthetician and I work for Institut' DERMed. I'm a mom of two and I have two, four-legged babies."
Turning point: "I've always had a very healthy lifestyle … but I've had to really watch my diet my entire life — it's never come easy for me. About six to seven years ago, I ended up having a garden in my backyard. I got into eating very healthy foods," she said. Despite clean eating, she gained weight and felt fatigued. "My mom was diagnosed with stage four breast and ovarian cancer. I moved back to take care of my mom … I met a lady who was also an esthetician who was absolutely stunning, her skin was beautiful, she was physically fit. I asked her what was her secret, and she gave me Dr. Donohue's phone number; she said 'he turned my life around' … Dr. Donohue and Nancy Masoud, board certified health coach and nutrition counselor (www.atlhealthcoach.com), were so nice to me … My hormones were playing havoc on my body." She began hormone replacement therapy and a weight-loss program.
Diet plan: Her day starts with coffee and cream followed by Greek yogurt with fruit. Mid-morning she has sliced veggies. Lunch is a salad with chicken or shrimp and dinner is fish or chicken with vegetables.
Exercise routine: "Currently, I exercise every day," she said. She lifts weights three times a week, enjoys walking and exercise DVDs.
Biggest challenge: "There's the panic when everyone is wanting to meet at the wing place, 'what am I going to eat there as well' that has been a challenge. You realize where you are with food and where you are with this process — you can always find something [healthy]."
How life has changed: "I'm a lot more social now. I am a lot easier on myself … I find that I love myself a lot more on multiple levels … It has really boosted my confidence and self-esteem. I have come to believe I can really do anything I put my mind to … Have faith in yourself. If you are struggling with your weight, go figure out why you are struggling. There are people that can help … I don't ever desire to go back to feeling how I felt prior to my hormone replacement."
