The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
MCDONOUGH WOMAN LOST 150 POUNDS
Che’ Haughton, 39. Weight lost: 150 pounds
Former weight: 325 pounds
Current weight: 175 pounds
Height: 5 feet 4 inches
How long she’s kept it off: She started in 2014 and reached her current weight in 2018.
Personal life: “I am single with a 9-year-old daughter, Aubrienne,” Haughton said. “I hold a DBA, doctor of business administration, and I work in banking management.” She lives in McDonough and has a YouTube channel, @CheInspires. She also has a website: www.cheinspires.com.
Turning point: “I became committed to my weight-loss journey about five years ago — my daughter was the inspiration. … The turning point was when my daughter wanted to eat everything that I ate,” Haughton said. “I knew that I had to change or she would grow up with unhealthy habits, and it would be all my fault. Since I had been overweight my entire life, I did not want her to experience the bullying and such due to being overweight — I had to change.”
Diet plan: Keto worked until she no longer desired meat. Breakfast is oats. Lunch is kale salad, and dinner is salmon with cauliflower rice and broccoli.
Exercise routine: “During this journey, I have become a huge gym enthusiast,” Haughton said. “… Planet Fitness opened in my local area almost two years ago, and it gave me a way to enjoy the gym at an affordable price. … In the beginning, I started slow, walking 15 minutes per day, then incrementally increasing over time. Now, I work out three to five days per week.”
Biggest challenge: “Biggest challenge was changing my mind,” Haughton said. “Food was my crutch. Food replaced my absent father, my broken relationship — everything. It was always there and it was plentiful, so I had to address why I chose food to run to instead of confronting the root of the issue. … My mind has changed and I do not view food the same.”
How life has changed: “Fear is expensive. I had always been fearful of losing weight. I have been overweight my entire life. I did not know life any other way,” Haughton said. “However, fear cost me so many things, so I decided to just commit to myself and fill myself with God. … I am living a life I have never lived before. I am a new being. I can do things that I have never imagined like hiking Stone Mountain multiple times or riding roller coasters that I could never fit in before. I am not recognized by those of my past because not only is my body different, but my total being is now different. I speak differently, I carry myself differently. … I do public speaking engagements to share encouragement with others. I inspire thousands daily on my social networks. I am able to keep up with my young daughter. I’m just living a life I never imagined.”
Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta JournalConstitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail. com.