Health

SUCCESS STORY

MOTHER-DAUGHTER DUO TEAM UP TO FIGHT THE BATTLE OF A LIFETIME

08.26.2006

After years of battling her weight, Stephanie Porter's big moment had finally arrived when she was approved for bariatric surgery, or stomach stapling, in December 2004. Not only had her struggle with her weight plagued her for years, Stephanie's 11-year-old daughter Lexi was heading down a similar, haunting path. But while watching an episode of the Dr. Phil Show, Stephanie had a sudden change of heart regarding her and Lexi's health.

"�I've seen a ton of weight loss shows but that one had a huge impact on me," Porter said. "It was the first time I ever really believed that we could lose the weight and take control without the surgery. I got in touch with Gold's Gym right away."

Porter and her daughter met with Terri Reiff, General Manager of Gold's Gym Alpharetta, who offered to donate the gym's facilities and her team's expertise to the Porters, free of charge. Within days, Atlanta "11 Alive" news anchor Karyn Greer had decided to follow the women's progress for six months, to see how the duo would fare with their new regimen of exercise and healthy eating.

At their first weigh-in in January, Stephanie weighed 233 pounds and Lexi weighed 217 pounds. Both had a dangerously high body mass index (BMI), a precursor to heart disease, diabetes and various additional health problems.

Stephanie and Lexi now meet with a trainer two to three times per week, incorporating weight and cardiovascular training with a nutritional program they adhere to at work, at school and at home.

"Everyone at Gold's seems so excited about our goals and try to help us achieve them in any way," Porter says. "The food system, the weight training, the support - I don't know if we could do it without them!"

For days when they cannot schedule a trip to the gym, Life Fitness, the leading manufacturer of high-quality fitness equipment, has donated one 95Si Stairclimber for the Porters to use at home. Their personalized program requires 30 minutes of cardio activity six days per week.

The goal is for Stephanie and Lexi to each lose 50 pounds by the end of the challenge this summer and another 50 by the end of 2005.

"The way that we feel and look already is amazing and I am still in awe that we're actually doing it," said Porter. "At this point, I can't imagine not doing it!"