Halfway home to better health
'New You' participants focus on mental, physical well-being
 |  Garth, left, picked up her exercise routine and focused on her diet since joining the "New You" program. |
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 CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how participants in the "New You Revolution" program are faring as they try to break unhealthy habits. (February 8)
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(CNN) -- Sandra Garth's quest to improve her health is about control -- of her diet, exercise routine, depression and life.
Roughly midway through CNN's "New You Revolution," a program aimed at helping five people break unhealthy habits, the Michigan resident has dropped seven pounds.
The former aerobics instructor is once again working out regularly. And she is not only eating less but also eating better.
Before the program began, Garth admitted to an affinity for breakfasts featuring eggs with cheese, French toast and bacon. Four weeks later, her day's first meal now more likely consists of egg whites, a banana and whole-wheat toast coated with a carefully measured tablespoon of peanut butter. (Profile)
Garth said she gained between 30 and 40 pounds in recent years, hitting 200 earlier this year -- a weight jump she attributed partly to depression. (Journal)
"I was crying all the time, I was a wreck," she recalled. "I just physically, emotionally was out of it ... It's just an endless cycle of feeling bad about yourself, feeling bad about your life."
Diagnosed by a psychiatrist in 2002, Garth said her depression and various medications -- which included weight gain as a side effect -- impaired her physical health. She has since stopped taking anti-depressants.
While admitting to suffering a panic attack in recent months, Garth said her emotional and mental condition has improved thanks to a return to regular workouts and a regulated diet.
"It gives you an empowering feeling to deal with everything else," she said of improving her eating habits. "So if I can control that, OK, that's one good thing -- maybe I can handle this other thing." (E-mail Garth)
Her involvement in the "New You" program has brought on welcome problems, such as a swimsuit that suddenly is too big for her.
"This is cool!" Garth said. "Another excuse to shop ... This is wonderful!"
Harald Fricker
Harald Fricker, another participant in the "New You Revolution," already has passed several health-related tests.
The Colorado resident now exercises more than he did when the program began four weeks ago. And his eating habits have improved. (Profile)
But in one area, Fricker still isn't making the grade: sleep.
His doctor ordered a sleep test, "which I failed miserably," said Fricker. He was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, which can contribute to weight gain (like other disorders that hinder sleep) as well as heart disease. (Journal)
 Harald Fricker has been exercising more and eating better, but his lack of sleep remains a problem. | |
Losing weight is one of the simplest ways to address this condition, giving Fricker yet another reason to work out and eat right. He also periodically dons a mask to help him breathe better and sleep longer. (E-mail Fricker)
Thekla Fischer
Nutritionist Sara Cowland made an impromptu visit to "New You Revolution" participant Thekla Fischer's workplace, reminding her that being healthy requires far more than cutting back on one's eating.
"No matter what your intentions are as far as ... not wanting to eat too much, your body needs the food," Cowland said.
Not skipping meals and having a well-rounded diet is particularly important for women like Fischer, who hopes to become pregnant in the near future. (Profile)
With this goal in mind, Fischer has begun taking pre-natal vitamins to ensure she gets all the nutrients she needs. And she has made an appointment to have a dental check-up, also with the baby-to-be in mind. (Journal)
"I'm very proud, because I hadn't done that in a long time and that was one of the things they told me was very important for pre-natal," Fischer said. (E-mail Fischer)
Leigh Ann Raynor
One of Leigh Ann Raynor's greatest temptations -- and, before joining the "New You Revolution," frequent stomping grounds -- were the fast-food establishments that blanket the United States, including near her home in southern Georgia. (Profile)
But with the help of a registered dietician, Raynor has steered clear of such restaurants and eaten healthier during the past four weeks. (Journal)
"I haven't had any fast food since the program began," she said.
The ordained minister said she now realizes that good eating habits are about moderation more than outright denial. (E-mail Raynor)
"You can have bread," Raynor said. "It's all about portion control. Your carbs are not evil."
Another goal -- improving her cooking -- still leaves something to be desired, she admits.
"When the smoke alarm goes out, it's probably done," Raynor said with a smile.
