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 / Laulita Horton, 56: From 179 pounds to 145 pounds
Former weight: 179 pounds
Current weight: 145 pounds
Pounds lost: 34 pounds
Height: 5 feet 3 inches
Age: 56 years
How long she's kept it off: "I have kept the weight off for seven years," says Horton. "I started the journey in February of 2007 and by August, when I went back to work after the summer vacation … most of my coworkers did not recognize me. I had reached my goal in six months."
Personal life: "I retired from teaching and began taking acting classes since the television and film industry has taken Atlanta by storm," she says. "I am now producing my own independent films with my daughter who is the writer, director and also the producer. The film that I am producing and also acting in is called 'Missing Nest.' I am married and I have been for over 30 years to my husband, Greg Horton. I have two children: Clarissa and Greg Jr. and a cat, Pixie." She lives in Stone Mountain.
Turning point: "My turning point was when I went to a female retreat with my church and pictures were taken. When I saw myself in the pictures, I was mortified because I saw how much weight I had gained," she says. "I was determined to lose the weight and keep it off."
Diet plan: "The diet plan that I followed was Casi's Bootcamp (www.casisbootcamp.com) … plus having the knowledge of how sugar, carbs, dyes and organic foods work for or against you." Breakfast is oatmeal with blueberries. Lunch is a spinach salad with boiled egg whites and tuna. Dinner is chicken, brown rice and vegetables.
Exercise routine: "My routine is running between two to four miles twice a week at Stone Mountain Park. I walk up the mountain or around it. I strength train with Casi for two days a week and I run outside for another two days," she says. "I sometimes run on a treadmill or … take an occasional spin class."
Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenges were: signing up for the camp, taking baby steps to get my body going, staying on track with distractions and eliminating foods that were fattening or high in calories," she says. "I have to say that I am just a normal girl trying to hold it all together."
How life has changed: "Everything has changed, I am feeling better and looking younger than I ever looked. I am stronger in my body, mind and spirit. And I feel stronger in Christ, since he made it all possible for me to do things that I never thought that I could."
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