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 / Mariana Betancourt, 62: From 192 pounds to 152 pounds
Pounds lost: 40 pounds
Height: 5 feet 3 inches
Age: 62 years
How long she’s kept it off: She began in July 2013, reached her goal in June 2014 and has kept it off ever since.
Personal life: “After a career in workers’ compensation managed care, I retired (in June 2013),” said Betancourt who has a master’s of science in educational psychology from the University of Miami and Six Sigma Black Belt certification. “J. Douglas Hillhouse and I have been married since August 1989. I was born in Cuba, moved to Miami, Florida, in 1962 and to metro Atlanta in 1989.” She lives in Sandy Springs.
Turning point: “I retired on June 28, 2013, and decided to work on getting and staying healthy, not just through dieting, but through nutrition and fitness. I wanted to detox from work,” she said. “I had tried Weight Watchers in past, yet had never incorporated physical activity and movement into my lifestyle. What made it work this time was the realistic nutritional counseling I received from Cheryl Orlansky RDN, CDE registered dietitian nutritionist, certified diabetes educator at Laureate Medical Group, … (as well as) a run-walk training program and yoga. Of course, my husband cheering me on was amazing.”
Diet plan: She made dietary changes along with “practicing mindful eating – to satisfy, not stuff myself.” Breakfast is usually espresso with milk, half an English muffin with cheese or avocado. Lunch is half a sandwich with a cup of broth-based soup or fruit. Dinner is brown rice, vegetables and lean protein.
Exercise routine: Twice a week she does a run-walk training program at a local park. She does yoga during the week along with walking to lunch once or twice a week. She also enjoys various 5Ks and 10Ks.
Biggest challenge: “Maintaining the weight off is the biggest challenge,” she said. “Cheryl Orlansky told me that a body in motion tends to stay in motion, and a body at rest tends to stay at rest, Sir Isaac Newton’s first law of motion, and that’s become my mantra.”
How life has changed: “Better health,” she said along with a “reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes and increased nutritional knowledge.” She enjoys a “better sense of self,” as she’s “no longer hiding under big clothes.” Learned that I’m pacing myself for a marathon, not a sprint … (I have a) more satisfying life — embracing mindfulness.” Her advice includes: “When you hit a plateau, forgive yourself, get back on plan and focus on the long-term goal.”
About the Author
