12 Get-Healthy Success Stories

I Partnered Up to Lose Big

Shelly Orth, mortgage processor, Manitowoc, Wisconsin

My Turn
"When I dropped my eldest daughter off at college in September 2010, it hit me that I had done a great job caring for my kids for 18 years but rarely took time for myself. I needed to focus on me and my health."

The Buddy System
"The only exercise I used to get was going to and from the car. My fit coworker, Spring [far left], encouraged me to start walking for 15 minutes each day. She would text me, 'Remember to get on that treadmill,' and check in with me at the office to hear how things were going."

Real Results
"I lost 110 pounds in one year by making small dietary changes, like swapping lean ground turkey for ground beef in tacos and upping my fitness routine: I've now run three 5Ks! For the first time in years, I'm happy with my body."

Find a Fit Friend
It's okay if you don't have someone to keep you on track, as Shelly did. These sites help you build a support system.

• Log your workouts, find motivation, and compete with other exercise devotees online at dailymile.com.
• Search for active pals by age, weight-loss goals, gender, and zip code at sparkpeople.com/buddy.
• Go to fitnessmagazine.com/fitfriends for more ways to find a sweat sidekick.

Originally published on Fitnessmagazine.com, February 2012.

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