Success in the Zone: 'I am 119 pounds and a size zero again'

Susan's Success in the Zone!

This Daily Zone Diet is part of a weekly series featuring tips, inspiring quotes, and success stories from members of the Dr. Sears Zone Diet Advantage. Here is Susan's inspiring success story:

Susan, Lee's Summit, Missouri

My name is Susan Rico-Ahrens. I am 32 years old and 5 feet, 5 inches tall. I gave birth to my daughter in September of 2001, and before I got pregnant, I weighed around 145 pounds and was a size 9/10. Before marriage (in my younger years) I was around 120 pounds and a size zero. After I had my daughter, my weight continued to rise, and I had a severe case of Acid Reflux disease. It was so painful that whenever it hit I wouldn't be able to move for an hour or two. Finally, in August of 2003, I became fed up with having Acid Reflux. I knew I needed medication but also needed to stop eating at McDonald's and fast food places every day. I was tired of being overweight and not feeling healthy. I was a size 16 at this point, weighing around 180 pounds. I contacted my uncle, Dan Rico, who is a nutritionist, and asked him to recommend a diet for me. He suggested The Zone Diet lifestyle, that I buy A Week in the Zone, and that I check out Dr. Barry Sears' Web site.

I ran this lifestyle change by my doctor to be sure it was okay for my one kidney (I had lost a kidney in a car accident when I was 20 years old). My doctor was all for it! So, I started The Zone Diet at the very end of August and within only a few months, I had lost 30 pounds.* Over the next few months the weight came off slowly, but I definitely saw results and inches. I did moderate exercise — about three days a week of half an hour on the treadmill. In March 2004, my best friend started on The Zone Diet , as did her husband, which motivated me to start working out more often. Now, on the weekend my dog and I walk no less than six miles a day. I also walk with my toddler, putting her in her stroller and breaking up the miles. One day I may do half of my walk with my daughter and the rest after dinner.

Today I am 119 pounds and a size zero again - my true weight and size! When I started the diet, I had 35 percent body fat - that percentage is now down to 15 percent. Also, when I was younger, even though I was thin, I had a small belly bulge. It would never go away no matter how much I exercised. My doctors told me that some people just have a natural curve there. But now mine is gone, even after having a baby and a C-section! I've lost 60 pounds* to date and have never in my life had so much energy. I feel like a teenager!

*Results not typical.