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.
Former weight: 227 pounds
Current weight: 162 pounds
Pounds lost: 65 pounds
Height: 5 feet 7 inches
Age: 45 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started this journey in May 2011, after trying many diets and programs to lose the weight. I reached my initial goal of losing 50 pounds in September of 2012," says Robinson-Dooley.
Personal life: "I am an assistant professor of social work at Kennesaw State University and a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW)," she says. "I currently live in Lawrenceville, Ga., with my wonderful husband of 19 years, Travis Dooley, our absolutely adorable boys, Bailey, age 7, and twins Bennett and Brennen, 6, and our faithful boxer, Butch."
Turning point: "I was blessed with giving birth to my beautiful twin boys, Bennett and Brennen, at the age of 40," she says. "They were a surprise and a blessing. They also each weighed almost seven pounds at birth, and I gained 72 pounds during my pregnancy. My blood pressure skyrocketed and even two years after giving birth, I was struggling with losing the weight. … I finally determined that dieting was not going to work. … I decided to do my own research on me. I started documenting everything I ate, reading and learning all I could about food and how it affects us and trying to find the balance of foods that worked for my best health, not just to lose the weight. My philosophy was if I get healthy, the weight will follow."
Diet plan: "I typically eat about 1,200-1,400 calories per day," she says. Breakfast is protein cereal and a protein shake. She snacks on Greek yogurt, protein bars and fruit. Lunch and dinner are protein and vegetables.
Exercise routine: "I strive to exercise every day," she says. "My usual exercise routine is running, daily, about four miles per day. Recently, I have started incorporating other exercise classes such as spin class, an outdoor boot camp, or jumping on the elliptical machine for 45 minutes."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge, after I had reached my weight loss goal, was maintaining. It is hard work," she says. "But, I have embraced this as my lifestyle, not a diet. I think this is what has made it easier for me over the last year — this is not temporary."
How life has changed: "I have so much more energy since losing the weight and I need it with my boys," she says. "I also love watching my body transform in my 40s. … I believe that I am sending an important message to my children about health and fitness and that makes it worth the work. … It really has to be a personal lifestyle change, anything less will make the struggle harder."
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