SUCCESS STORY / Tanya Mitchell Graham, 54: From 228 pounds to 171 pounds
Former weight: 228 pounds
Current weight: 171 pounds
Pounds lost: 57 pounds
Height: 5 feet 9 inches
Age: 54 years
How long she's kept it off: Graham started in May 2017 and reached her goal in February.
Personal life: "I am a family law and entertainment law attorney. I own my law firm: the Law Office of Tanya Mitchell Graham, P.C. (www.tmgesq.com). This is the 20th year," said Graham, who lives in Stone Mountain and has adult daughters.
Turning point: "Two things caused me to make up my mind, finally, to make a lifestyle change: My mother has a plethora of health issues, and I take care of her," Graham said. "It just hit me on May 27, 2017, that I do not want my daughters to have to take care of me when I get older. I wanted to feel good and be healthy this time. When I went to the gym on that day, I was warming up on the bike looking through some photos. I looked so large to myself for the first time on a photo from April 2017. I saw on Instagram where a friend of mine was challenging herself to exercise 90 days in a row. I joined her in that challenge. I kept going after the 90 days. I have completed 886 days exercising in a row so far."
Diet plan: She follows a meal plan recommended by her personal trainer, Carla Fields at Carla Fields Fitness Inc. Her meal plan includes vegetables, protein, carbs and fruit.
Exercise routine: "I exercise with my trainer two to three times per week and then do other exercise on the remaining days of the week. … I walk at Stone Mountain Park, either up or around. I swim. I may go to LA Fitness to lift weights. I lift weights, ride my stationary bike or do Pilates when I exercise at home," Graham said. "I post some of my workouts on social media to encourage other over-50 women to exercise, too."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge was seeing no results from my lifestyle change for months," Graham said. "… At some point, the weight will come off for good, but you have to stay committed to eating right, exercising, drinking lots of water and resting well. Learning to stay away from bad foods that I love was very hard — like doughnuts and cake. … I have been able to stick with it because of seeing my trainer consistently — she holds me accountable."
How life has changed:
“I feel better, look better and have more confidence,” she said. Her advice for others: “Commit to yourself! We women commit to everything and everyone, spouse, children, church, and we always put ourselves last. Most of the time we are exhausted from serving others. We need to make up our minds and get equally as committed to our own personal health, wellness and fitness.”
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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