First For Women

“I lost 42 lbs in 30 days!”

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Natasha Monique Coleman was furious when her son got into his

third fight at school. When she questioned him, the truth came out: He fought back when the other kids made fun of her weight. “Mom, I didn’t want to tell you. But can you stop volunteeri­ng at my school?”

The mother of three admits, “It broke my heart that my choices were affecting my son.” So Natasha began changing her habits. She cut out sugar and dairy and reached for more leafy green veggies.

Initially, Natasha did her weigh-ins at her county health department on an industrial scale—the only scale in the area that could accommodat­e her size. Stepping on the scale after that first month, Natasha discovered a 42-pound loss. “Though most people couldn’t see it yet, I knew the weight was gone.”

And the weight kept falling off her frame. “My first goal was to be able to weigh myself at the doctor’s office, where the scale went up to 380,” she says. “I dreamed about being able to do that.”

Now, nearly 250 pounds lighter, Natasha is living her dream. And though she is still working to fit into her “goal dress,” she is amazed by her improved health.

“I’m proud of myself,” she reveals. “To show my children how to be healthy is life-changing.”

 ??  ?? Natasha Monique Coleman, 38, Panama City, FL Height: 5'9"
NOW: 221 lbs
Natasha Monique Coleman, 38, Panama City, FL Height: 5'9" NOW: 221 lbs

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