The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Success story
Deborah Brigham, 54. Weight lost: 41 pounds
Former weight: 184 pounds
Current weight: 143 pounds
Height: 5 feet 8 inches
How long she’s kept it off: She started in September 2018, and reached her current weight this October.
Personal life: “My husband, David, and I have been married for over 29 years, and we live in Marietta, east Cobb,” said Brigham. “We have three grown children: Nat, Sarah and Ben. Our older two live and work in the north metro area, and the youngest is a student at Georgia Tech. Our daughter and son-in-law are expecting twin girls in the next few weeks, so we will become first-time grandparents. I am a pension actuary for a national benefits consulting firm; I have been with the same company for the last 30 years.”
Turning point: “In 2018, our youngest child graduated high school and started college, and I started looking ahead to ‘What’s next?’ I hope to have a long, healthy and active retirement, when the time comes, and I realized I was not likely to do that if I remained overweight. I had dieted several times during the last 20 years, with temporary success. … This time I joined Sparkle a New You, with wellness coach Jacynta Harb … you truly become part of a community that focuses on overall wellness — other programs are temporary, but this one provides ongoing support.”
Diet plan: Breakfast is eggs with vegetables. Lunch is salad with chicken. Dinner is lean protein and vegetables.
Exercise routine: “My husband and I joined a learn to row class at the Atlanta Rowing Club, and now we either scull or sweep row on the Chattahoochee twice a week with a group of other rowers and a coach. I also go to Orangetheory
Fitness at least once a week. I have run a 5K every month this year, and have shaved more than 20 minutes off my time.”
Biggest challenge: “I find business travel to be one of my biggest challenges. It can be tough to make healthy choices when you are eating out three meals a day, and spending hours in meetings and at airports.” She packs snacks, works out in the hotel gym and reviews menus ahead of time. She also walks instead of riding the tram at airports.
How life has changed: “I spent much of the last 20 years on the sidelines of softball fields and basketball courts, cheering on my kids as they were living active lives. Now I am the one being active. I still have a fairly sedentary job, but after hours I am on the river, or at the gym, or hiking on a local trail. David and I recently vacationed in Asheville, North Carolina, and during that week, we biked, hiked and kayaked. We had a great time.”
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.