Taylor Noland, 32, of Atlanta lost 47 pounds

In the photo on the left, taken in December 2016, Taylor Noland weighed 252 pounds. In the photo on the right, taken this month, she weighed 205 pounds. (All photos contributed by Taylor Noland).

In the photo on the left, taken in December 2016, Taylor Noland weighed 252 pounds. In the photo on the right, taken this month, she weighed 205 pounds. (All photos contributed by Taylor Noland).

SUCCESS STORY / Taylor Noland, 32: From 252 pounds to 205 pounds

Former weight: 252 pounds

Current weight: 205 pounds

Pounds lost: 47 pounds

Height: 6 feet

Age: 32

How long she's kept it off: "I started my weight-loss journey in December 2016," Noland said.

Personal life: "I live in Buckhead and have two dogs," she said. "I work at Holy Innocents' Episcopal School in the eighth grade as well as coach volleyball, soccer and track. I also coach an AAU boys 18's team with A5 Volleyball Club."

Turning point: "I joined Orange Theory Fitness (OTF) in December of 2016," Noland said. "I remember exactly because it was a year from my wedding date." In June 2017, her fiance broke off their engagement. Shocked and heartbroken, after a few days she realized, through her tears, that she could go to OTF to work out and no one would know of her heartbreak. Working out became a healthy way for Noland to cope. "Even though I originally joined to prepare for my wedding," she said, "I've continued to stay an active member, attending classes five to six days per week."

Diet plan: She starts her day with a protein shake and coffee with almond creamer. She has fruit midmorning with crunchy peanut butter. Lunch is her heaviest meal. "If I was going to have a cheat meal, I'd have it at lunch," Noland said. "That way I'd have time to burn it off." Dinner is chicken with vegetables. She drinks lots of water throughout the day and limits alcohol to weekends only.

Exercise routine: She works out five to six days per week. "I love OTF," Noland said. "I remember being intimidated when I started, but the staff and coaches are so welcoming and anyone can do it. … My favorite part about OTF is that I've been a member for a year and a half and I've never done the same workout twice. … I started incorporating Flywheel Sports high-intensity cycling into my workout just to mix things up."

Biggest challenge: "Obviously, the biggest obstacle was when my engagement ended. It would have been easy for me to quit," Noland said. "Instead, I found stability in going to the OTF classes. It was like making a date that I couldn't cancel on. And it was a great escape for me because I could go and get in a great workout and no one else knew what I was going through. When school started back up in August, I didn't let myself quit. I started going to the 5:15 a.m. classes, and then it just became a part of my routine."

How life has changed: "I feel better than I ever have before," she said. "I'm actively dating and loving the single life. I finished my master's degree in February. I'm dedicated to the kids I work with and coach, and I'm passionate about having a positive effect on their lives. I'm happy with where I am, and I'm open to what the future holds for me."


Share Your Success: Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, a daytime phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.