Ann and Butch Painter Lost a Combined 178 Pounds

BY JENNIFER WYSMULLER

Names: Ann and Butch Painter
Location: Pittsburgh, PA

Worst of times:
Ann, 252 pounds
Butch, over 300 pounds

Best of times:
Ann, 159 pounds
Butch, 215 pounds

Our turning point: “Butch was complaining about his health, and I was getting concerned. I knew if I tried to lose weight, he would, too,” says Ann.

Our slim-down techniques: “We no longer eat huge meals. We also stay away from foods that are tempting (like pizza and chips),” says Butch.

Kept the weight off: Six months for Ann; two years for Butch

Our best motivator: “Knowing that we’ve done it together. We don’t let each other slip back into bad habits; we’ve come too far,” says Ann. Butch adds: “Without Annie, I couldn’t have done it.”

Our greatest temptation: “Junk foods. I just don’t keep bad foods in the house anymore,” says Ann.

Our favorite diet food: Air-popped popcorn, spiced up with Cajun seasoning and hot-red pepper. Also, raw mushrooms with a little fat-free dressing.

Our snacking tips: “I’ll have a small bowl of pickled vegetables or vegetables with dip using low-fat sour cream,” says Ann. “At work, I’ll bring a granola bar or some fruit to snack on,” says Butch.

Our exercise routine: “Together we’ll walk three miles a day four or five days a week. In warm weather, we’ll bike on the trails,” says Ann.

Slim-down advice:
Ann: “Learn to read nutrition labels, especially calories. Foods you think are good for you sometimes aren’t.”
Butch: “Eat breakfast. I eat oatmeal every day. It fuels me all morning, and I don’t think about food until it’s time for lunch.”

The pay-off: “Proving to myself that I can do it, “ says Ann. For Butch, it’s “knowing that I’ll be around for Ann and my two boys’ graduation, marriage and my grandchildren.”