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 / Whitney Carlson, 28: From 160 pounds to 135 pounds
Former weight: 160 pounds
Current weight: 135 pounds
Pounds lost: 25
Height: 5 feet 6 inches
Age: 28
How long she's kept it off: "I started my journey in summer of 2011 and met my goal by December 2011," says Carlson. "I have kept it off since then."
Personal life: "I was an insurance adjuster for Progressive Insurance until May 2013 when I left that job to be a personal trainer and online lifestyle coach," she says. "I live in Hoschton, Ga., with my husband, Scott Carlson, of six years. We were high school sweethearts and have been together 13 years." Scott's story will be featured next week in Success Stories.
Turning point: "My husband's clean eating and weight-training transformation inspired me to change my life. I watched him transform but it wasn't until I was ready that I actually changed my life as well. I finally got sick and tired of being sick and tired. I completely changed my life overnight."
Diet plan: "I eat clean which, in my opinion, means eating minimally processed, natural foods that promote the health and well-being of the entire body." She eats five to six meals per day with a balance of protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and lots of vegetables. "I also try to drink a gallon of water per day," and she blogs about healthy living and recipes at www.HeandSheEatClean.com.
Exercise routine: "I exercise five to six times per week," she says. "I mainly focus on weight training and lifting heavy – women should not be afraid of heavy weights. I do cardio three to four times per week. My workouts are an hour and fifteen minutes or less."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge in the beginning was being shy. I spent a few months working out at home with workout videos before I ever was able to step foot in the gym and weight room," she says. "I was so nervous … eventually I just had to overcome this fear by just doing it. As I tell people — fake it till you make it."
How life has changed: "I wake up each morning with energy to start and finish my day – no coffee required," she says. "Another huge accomplishment for me has been being able to go on some very intense hiking trips." She and her husband hiked over 140 miles in several national parks last year. "Changing the way that I thought about myself was my secret to success … I woke up each morning a few minutes early just to think and talk positively about myself … I mentioned that I loved my small waist; normally I would have said, I hate my big hips. Find ways to twist your negatives into positives … you need to talk positively about yourself in order to have the confidence to make everything else happen!"
