Shedding Pounds With Exercise

Diane Colver of Lenhartsville, Pa., is swimming, walking and dancing to her goal weight

For most of her life, Diane Colver avoided activities where her weight (340 pounds at her heaviest) might cause embarrassment. “There were lots of things I never did for fear of falling and not being able to get up again, like ice skating,” says the 51-year-old Lenhartsville, Pa., woman.

Though still able to work full time as a medical secretary, she tired easily. Even walking was hard. Ultimately, worry about her family history of diabetes and heart disease prompted her to seek gastric bypass surgery last year.

Colver now weighs 208 pounds and plans to lose another 50. She exercises, swims and walks five times a week. Once she hits her target weight she plans to begin pursuing things she’s always wanted to try—like horseback riding. “People say there’s nothing like it, but I always feared I’d have to be helped into the saddle,” she says.

Also in the works: ballroom dancing lessons with her husband, Charles, and maybe even skydiving. “I’m getting a second chance in life,” she says. “I look forward to many new adventures, and to being a role model to help others.”

This page last updated 6/16/09 11:23 AM