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Name: Janis Miles
Age: 60
Height: 5'3"
Before Weight: 298 pounds
How I Gained It: I was your typical yo-yo dieter. Each time I lost weight I felt great and invincible, but those feelings would only last a short time before I would find myself returning to my old eating habits and the weight would return. I was also working 50 to 60 hours a week -- I was overstressed, not exercising and eating mostly fast food.
Breaking Point: When my husband and I retired, we moved to Oregon. We bought a wonderful home, and I realized my weight significantly impacted my ability to do several of the home-improvement projects we had planned. I was dreading having to find a new doctor and be lectured about my health. When I finally found the courage to make an appointment, I was shocked to learn I weighed a whopping 298 pounds! What's worse is that my doctor diagnosed me with type 2 diabetes. I was devastated. Diabetes runs in my family and it cost my mother her life. I was also suffering from high blood pressure, high cholesterol, elevated blood glucose levels and severe knee pain from the excess weight, so I was put on high blood pressure and cholesterol medication and fitted for a custom knee brace. After receiving my diagnosis, I finally saw the writing on the wall: I knew I needed to take back my life and my health, or my future would be determined for me.
How I Lost It: I knew I needed to do something about my health. I decided to call Jenny Craig because I wanted a happier and healthier life. It was one of the best decisions I ever made, because my motivation and energy increased significantly and my pain was reduced as I started losing weight. Jenny, along with my consultant, Shauna, helped me every step along the way.
I have become an active person. My typical exercise routine includes using a tread climber for 30 minutes a day, four times a week, and riding a stationary bicycle for 30 minutes, twice a week. I also enjoy taking a three-mile walk on a hilly route, gardening, and of course, I also burn extra calories housecleaning!
My typical day's menu consists of high-fiber cereal for breakfast with low-fat almond milk, a veggie burger for lunch, fruit for a snack and turkey and vegetable chili with a green salad and Crystal Light for dinner. I'll have a Skinny Cow treat for dessert.
Today, I have a lot more energy, I am much more confident and happy, and I feel great in new clothes. I like how I look, and I love the person I have become! My doctor is so pleased and impressed with my weight loss and exercise achievements that he now refers to me as his "poster patient." He told me that he wished he could put my picture up in his office to show his other patients what is possible. What a feeling that is to know how far I've come!
After Weight: 152 pounds
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