Sarah Hernandez Lost 100 Pounds

BY KATE SCHWAB

By moderating her food intake and committing to exercise, Sarah went from 238 pounds to 138
pounds!
My turning point: I didn’t have the energy to play and run around with my four grandchildren. I wanted to get healthy so I could be there to watch them grow up.

My slim-down techniques: To keep track of my calories, I read every label. I also drink eight glasses of water a day and eat in moderation.

Kept the weight off: One year

My best motivator: The support I get from my friends and family. Their encouragement and kind words really keep me going. Plus, I’m the leader of my local chapter of TOPS (a national weight-loss group), so I know I need to provide a positive role model for others in my group.

My greatest temptation: Greasy, juicy hamburgers. I allow myself to eat one every so often because I know if I deny myself certain foods, then I’ll end up with overwhelming cravings and binge later on.

My favorite diet food: A three-milk cake. Take 2 cups of Aunt Jemima Original Pancake Mix and add 1 cup skim milk, 1 cup Egg Beaters, 3/4 cup Splenda, and 5 tablespoons fat free butter. Mix well and put mixture in baking pan coated with Pam No-Stick Cooking Spray. Bake it for 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Let it cool in fridge. While the cake is cooling, mix in a bowl 1/2 cup Carnation Fat-Free Evaporated Milk, 1/2 cup Carnation Fat-Free Sweetened Condensed Milk, and 1/2 cup fat-free milk. Take a fork and poke holes in cake and pour milk mixture over the holes, allowing it to seep into them. Top cake with 16 ounces of fat-free Cool Whip topping and refrigerate until time to eat. The recipe makes 20 servings, and each piece has 107 calories and .15 grams of fat.

My snacking tips: A handful of carrots, broccoli, pretzels or fat-free popcorn. Sometimes I also make smoothies with a cup of fruit, a spoonful of Splenda and a cup of water. It’s more of an “icee” than a smoothie, but it’s very refreshing.

My exercise routine: At least four times a week, my daughter and I ride our bikes for six miles. We also work out to exercise videos when the weather is inclement.

Slim-down advice: Watch your portion size, exercise and make sure your friends and family are encouraging and understanding.

The payoff: When I’m with my husband and we run into someone we haven’t seen in a while, they ask him, “What happened to your wife and who is this new woman?” It feels great to see the smile on his face.