She Stuck to Her Goal Despite Family Crises

On Aug. 28, 1998, I made the mental commitment to take charge of my life and lose the extra weight. On that day, I had my annual physical and I was a mess. My cholesterol level was at 334; blood pressure, 140 over 90; weight, 162 pounds; and clothing size, 14.

I was exercising, swimming one mile five days a week, and eating what I thought was a healthy diet rich in protein, dairy and carbohydrates. My doctor would give me a generic diet with no specific direction and tell me I needed to exercise more. I tried and added indoor cycling twice weekly. I never was sent to a nutritionist, however.

Some significant events in my personal life would occur at that time, and in those next few months they would delay my plan. I am an only child, and my mother suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. My dad was still living, but he had his share of health problems. At one point, my mother broke her arm, which set off an unbelievable chain of events that would tax me mentally and physically.

During that time, I moved my parents twice. I was living on fast-food, getting little sleep and experiencing great anxiety. Shortly after my parents were settled again, my father had a stroke, was hospitalized and began rehab. By now, it was mid-November and I was exhausted. But I decided that I had to get off my now-large behind and deal with my own problems.

I switched doctors to get a different perspective. On Jan. 28, I began seeing my new internist, who referred me to a nutritional doctor. At this time, my father became very ill and was hospitalized. But I kept my appointment on Feb. 24 with the nutritionist; I was determined not to repeat the cycle I fell into when my mother broke her arm. The nutritionist set goals for me of 133 pounds and 22% body fat; at that point, I was 156 pounds and 34% body fat.

On March 1, my father passed away, but I chose this profoundly sad event to make my positive life change, once and for all. The nutritionist laid out a definite plan for me, explaining that I needed to cut 3,500 calories a week to lose 1 pound of fat and recommending weight training, a boost for my metabolism. Among her instructions:

* Eat four to five meals daily.

* Lower my protein intake somewhat and add complex carbohydrates.

* Ditch the frozen yogurt fruit smoothies, blended coffee drinks and dairy products in general.

* Concentrate on natural foods.

* Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.

In eight weeks, I was down to 142 pounds and a size 10. By June 3, I reached my goal of 132 pounds and 21% body fat, cholesterol of 218, blood pressure of 120 over 70, and a size 8. Today, I have maintained my 132 pounds and can wear a size 6, having lost 18 inches.

I spend 75 minutes in the gym five days a week doing strength training and indoor cycling. Now I can eat 1,400 calories a day, am never hungry, love my workouts, and feel younger. I am working toward my certification as an indoor cycling instructor. My fitness and nutrition regimen has given me not only a healthy body, but also a healthy mind. Exercise is a priority and food is no longer an issue. Isn’t it ironic that what took 15 years to put on came off in three months?

Vital Statistics

Name: Christine Humphrey

Age: 47

Occupation: Homemaker, caregiver

Old weight: 162 pounds

New weight: 132 pounds

Height: 5 feet, 3 inches

Time to get there: 14 weeks

How Did You Do It?

Do you have a story about how you lost weight and kept the pounds off? Or a story about how you learned to mountain climb or in-line skate, trained for a half-marathon or discovered a unique way of keeping fit, dealing with a nagging ailment or persevering with a fitness regimen despite some obstacles?

If so, we’d like to hear from you. Tell us your story in a 500-word essay listing what worked in terms of diet, exercise and encouragement, as well as any emotional and physical changes.

For weight-loss stories, send us full-body color photos of yourself, before and after. For other types of stories, send a color photo of yourself doing the activity you’re writing about.

Send essay and photos to How I Did It, Health, Los Angeles Times, Times Mirror Square, Los Angeles, CA 90053. Include daytime and evening phone numbers. Submissions cannot be returned. And, please, no phone calls.

In addition to publication, winners will receive a Los Angeles Times Health section gym bag, a Sparkletts hot-cold travel mug, T-shirt and coupons for free water products, courtesy of McKesson Water Products Co.