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 / Tawni Taylor, 42: From 324 pounds to 180 pounds
Former weight: 324 pounds
Current weight: 180 pounds
Pounds lost: 144 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 3 inches
Age: 42 years
How long she's kept it off: "In September 2014, I started my weight-loss journey. I reached my current weight of 180 pounds in July 2015. Although I am healthy now, my ultimate goal weight is 150 pounds. I should reach this goal in early 2016," says Taylor.
Personal life: "I am a busy educator who serves stakeholders around the state of Georgia. My BFF is my mother." She is single and lives in Atlanta.
Turning point: "My turning point was when my weight began to take the fun and excitement out of my daily life. My personal cargo was seriously weighing down my mind, body and spirit. Climbing more than three steps and walking up small hills left me gasping for air like a fish without water. I tried other diet programs in the past but failed miserably …" She went to the Emory Healthcare Bariatric Center where she did the OPTIFAST program with medical supervision.
Diet plan: "I eat a few OPTIFAST products, soup, bars or shakes, but most meals consist of self-prepared regular food. My meals consist of large salads with non-starchy vegetables and vinegar-based dressings, beans and soups, whole grains, lean meats, and a variety of fruits."
Exercise routine: "Exercise is the key to maintaining my weight loss and avoiding mindless eating due to stress and daily life. I vigorously walk four to five times per week. I especially enjoy walking around Stone Mountain and 'going for the gold' on the treadmill."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge on my weight-loss journey was overcoming my fear of failure and recognizing my personal ability to overcome my weight challenges," she says. "I finally realized the strength and power to succeed had always been within me, and I could change my lifestyle through dedication and putting my health first."
How life has changed: "Since my weight loss, my life is different because I am hardly recognizable to others. I've had to reintroduce myself to people I have known for years …" says Taylor who won OPTIFAST's sixth annual "New You" weight loss contest. "I have lowered my blood pressure, improved my blood levels, and rediscovered my inner healthier, happier self … I can now distinguish between mindful eating and mindless eating, and I have learned to feed the divine within me."
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