Fat 2 Fit: Evelyn White: The Times They Are A-Changin'

To set yourself up for success, be sure to choose a fitness routine that works with your schedule. That's what Evelyn did, and now she does triathlons.

By: Carole Carson | Source: AARP.org | 2008-10-16

For many years, Evelyn White, 44, of Grass Valley, Calif, was one of those lucky people who could eat anything she wanted without gaining a pound. During her earlier years in the Army, she was, by her own admission, "a stick."

As Evelyn aged, several surgeries and hormonal changes caught up with her. She eventually found herself 50 pounds overweight. Having always identified herself as thin, Evelyn did not recognize the person in the mirror staring back at her. She attributed the weight gain to the hours spent commuting to and from a job that didn’t require much mobility.

When the extra weight started to restrict Evelyn's lifestyle, she decided to make some changes. On her way home from work, she established a nightly one-hour workout routine at a fitness center.

When she was next inspired to sign up for a local triathlon, Evelyn added an early morning training session (Monday through Friday at 5 a.m.) of swimming, biking, and running.

Once she was in training mode, Evelyn became more focused on healthy eating. She avoided processed foods and gave up smoking, alcohol, and caffeine. She struggled with the temptation of sugar, but if she gave in, she just started over the next day and got back on track.

Weight loss had become secondary to Evelyn's overall health and well being. "My goal," she says, "is to feel good about myself. Training for the triathlon has been an incredible learning experience—physically, mentally, and spiritually."

Not only does Evelyn recognize herself in the mirror these days, she feels good about who is looking back at her.