Success story

Vida Robinson, 36. Weight lost: 32 pounds

Current weight: pounds

Pounds lost: 32 pounds Height: 5 feet 4 inches Age: 36 years

How long she’s kept it off: She started in September 2016 and reached her current weight last month.

Personal life: “I live in Dunwoody. I have two boys, Ray, 16, and Elijah, 14,” Robinson said. “I work with my three sisters. We have a consulting firm, MJM Strategy. We do brand management and brand development.”

Turning point: “This journey has been very difficult. My mother died April 1, 2016; she was 62 when she died, it was awful,” Robinson said. Then “I got very sick and was hospitalized for three days in September 2016. The day I got out of the hospital, I joined the gym, Onelife Fitness, (www.onelifefitness.com) up the street from 150

my house. Then we started divorce proceedings in February 2017,” she said. “My workouts kept me sane. … It was hard, but working out has helped a lot. Working out is a form of therapy for me.”

Diet plan: She has oatmeal for breakfast and has found ways to make her favorite lasagna and nachos with reduced fat and calories by using chicken or ground turkey. She also enjoys smoothies. “I struggle with my weight still,” Robinson said, “and I work out every day because I like to eat.”

Exercise routine: She works out six days per week. “There is a program that I joined at Onelife called Team FHIIT, a high-intensity training workout. … You have a coach that keeps you accountable,” Robinson said. The other team members have become like family to Robinson. “I have lost the most weight from joining Team FHIIT. … I have met so many people I am friends with now,” she said.

Biggest challenge: “Consistency. I am an emotional person,” Robinson said, “and when my emotions get high, I get very discouraged and I don’t want to do anything and so I lack consistency. Then I become that person in the car sitting in front of the gym who doesn’t want to go in. That is the hardest part when you turn the car off and you look at the gym and you’re like ‘Ugggg.’ … Then I have to get focused on my goals that I want to attain.”

How life has changed: “I have a confidence in me that I haven’t had in a long time,” Robinson said. “I had kids when I was young. I don’t feel like I’m not worthy anymore because I love myself. … Working out has gotten me to the point where I can help someone else. … I am going to cheerlead the next person on because I want them to get the same thing. Having a support system through your weight-loss journey is important. I am very lucky, I have older boys, I have my sisters throughout the process and really great friends along the way. I am very thankful. I am thankful for my class — it changed my life.”

Share Your Success: