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 / Natasha Monts, 26: From 194 pounds to 141 pounds
Former weight: 194 pounds
Current weight: 141 pounds
Pounds lost: 53 pounds
Height: 5 feet 5 inches
Age: 26 years
How long she's kept it off: "I started Weight Watchers in January of 2012," says Monts. She reached her goal weight in September and since then lost three more pounds.
Personal life: "I work for Emory University as a full-time research coordinator and concurrently am pursing a master's degree in public health. I currently reside in College Park, Ga.," she says. "I live here with my fiancé, Bashan, and our fifteen-month-old daughter, Ava. We plan to get married summer of 2013 right here in Atlanta."
Turning point: "In December of 2011, I was the biggest I had ever been in my entire life. I reached my turning point when I realized that I could no longer fit into my maternity jeans after I had given birth," she says. "The weight just was not coming off and people kept telling me it was because I just had a baby. Well, my baby weight had came off immediately after I had Ava. However, since I wasn't working at the time and was at home all day, I just kept eating and not realizing it … I refused to buy bigger sizes because I would be admitting to myself that I had gotten bigger. I decided that with the new year approaching, I was going to make 2012 my year."
Diet plan: Her day starts with Greek yogurt, a banana and granola. Lunch is a side-salad and turkey sandwich. Dinner is baked fish, rice and vegetables. "I saw an episode of Dr. Oz (www.doctoroz.com) and he was talking about forskolin and how great it is for burning fat and improving your heart health. I took his advice and added forskolin to my daily vitamin supplements and I must say, not only has it helped me losing additional weight, I can say that with this vitamin, I never hit a plateau."
Exercise routine: She works out four days per week doing cardio kickboxing, cycling, toning and abdominal exercises. "I abhorred working out. But when I found a workout regimen that I liked and stuck with, the workouts became easier and fun … try everything and never stick with the same routine."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge for me was to not give into cravings. I have a sweet tooth and I love ice cream. So what I would do to satisfy my craving and not over-indulge, I would buy the tiny little ice cream cups…"
How life has changed: "My life has changed in that I have my self-confidence back and it shows in my work ethic," she says. "I am no longer depressed … Health-wise, I have less pressure on my knees so it doesn't hurt when I stand too long or when I run. I am no longer out of breath when I walk up a flight of stairs."
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