Dropping LBs: Health motivated her

HER STORY

Donna Donahue thought she could no longer lose weight. " 'I figured that at my age, the body just settled down, so why should I bother?' "

But the then-57-year-old was miserable. She recalls being at a banquet when she couldn't squeeze between guests at a table. She also suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Realizing that no one should settle for an unhappy, unhealthy life, Donahue did weight-loss research and, online, stumbled upon the Center for Medical Weight Loss, with locations nationwide and physicians specializing in nonsurgical, medically supervised weight loss.

HER DIET

Not wanting to count points or weigh food, Donahue followed a daily diet of a meal-replacement bar and four shakes. "Before, I didn't care what I ate. It wasn't a matter of overeating, but making poor choices," she says. She still drinks a shake for breakfast, lunch and after dinner, typically grilled chicken and a salad. She says the shakes are filling, with 20-plus grams of protein and essential vitamins and minerals.

HER EXERCISE

SEE PHOTOSHow did these 150 LIers drop up to 320 lbs. each?

Donahue walks at least a mile four times a week, either at 5 a.m. before work, around the high school track before lunch, or in the evening with her husband. She also takes stairs instead of elevators and parks away from stores to walk as much as possible, simple activities that once made her out of breath.

HER ADVICE

"The trick is not to lose weight, but to keep it off. That's a psychological struggle," says Donahue, who has seen an improvement in her blood pressure and cholesterol. "But when you have the knowledge plus guidance and support from family, friends and health professionals, you feel more confident and determined, and can maintain better health over the long term."

Donna Donahue

59, Wading River

Occupation Secretary at Island Trees High School

Height 5'2"

190 Weight before 2008

154 Weight now

'The trick is not to lose weight, but to keep it off.'

-- Donna Donahue