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 / Andrea Pasqualini, 34: From 270 pounds to 169 pounds
Former weight: 270 pounds
Current weight: 169 pounds
Pounds lost: 101 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
Age: 34 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started my weight loss in May 2011, just after my son turned 1," said Pasqualini. She reached her current weight in March 2014.
Personal life: "I'm married to my husband, Jeff, and we have an amazing son, John-William, who is 5. We also have a dog, a rescue, named Bella." She lives in Atlanta.
Turning point: "My sister-in-law lost weight after her second child and that's what motivated me. I was at my heaviest then and she really kept me on track," she said. "That was the big turning point for me. She was a full-time mom and worked full time. She was such an influential person in my journey … I gained a lot of weight with my pregnancy and always thought I would be heavy because it happens, but I just couldn't do it anymore. I wanted to be the size I was before I got pregnant; I'm actually 15 pounds smaller than I was when I met my husband."
Diet plan: Breakfast is a protein shake with a banana and peanut butter. Lunch is a turkey sandwich on wheat bread, an apple and Greek yogurt. Dinner is turkey burgers without the bun, broccoli and fresh tomatoes. "My one vice I have to eat every once in a while — a small bowl of chocolate ice cream."
Exercise routine: She does 30 minutes of cardio, usually light jogging on a treadmill, and 30 minutes of light weights at least three to five times per week.
Biggest challenge: "Biggest challenge was getting started and staying with it to see the results. I had tried in the past and stopped when I didn't see immediate results. I stuck with it this time and started to see a change after three months."
How life has changed: "My life has changed so much," she said. "I bought my first swimsuit this summer and wore it proudly. I can shop at any store I want. I have energy to play with my son, niece and nephew. I feel better about myself and that's worth it all. However keeping it off is just as hard as losing it … The biggest tip I can give is don't get discouraged and don't beat yourself up on days that you don't get to the gym or may cheat on your diet. Cheating on your diet while on vacation or once a month worked for me. It gave me something to look forward too. Milkshakes are my weakness — everything in moderation."
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