Going above and beyond
'New You' participants set, exceed goals
 |  With her diet and fitness improving, Raynor hopes to curb her smoking. |
| |
|  VIDEO |
 CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta looks at how participants in the "New You Revolution" program are faring as they try to break unhealthy habits. (March 1)
|
|
(CNN) -- Seven weeks ago, Leigh Ann Raynor set out to achieve a few basic goals to change her lifestyle and, consequently, improve her health: lose weight, exercise and learn to cook.
But one unhealthy habit lingered, in Raynor's mind and in those of the experts heading up CNN's "New You Revolution."
"Y'all won't leave me alone about the smoking," the south Georgia resident said.
Raynor initially refused to tackle her proclivity for cigarettes, saying she faced enough challenges without that added burden.
But in recent weeks, the minister has made stopping smoking a new goal -- and taken small but significant steps to see it through. (Raynor's journal)
A habitual smoker since age 18, Raynor said she wondered whether quitting at age 49 would have any affect on her chances of developing emphysema, heart disease, lung cancer and other diseases associated with regular tobacco use. (Raynor's profile)
Dr. Len Litchfield, deputy chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society and coincidentally Raynor's neighbor, discussed the benefits of smoking cessation.
"The answer is, it's never too late," Litchfield told Raynor. (E-mail Raynor)
To curb her addiction, the minister underwent hypnosis and came up with her own program to help kick the habit.
She puts her cigarettes in a plastic bag, starting off with the number she usually smoked daily. Every day, she puts one fewer cigarette inside -- and, thus, smokes one fewer than the day before.
"I'm hoping when I get down to 10 that I'll just be able to put them down," Raynor said.
The efforts have already paid off: Raynor now smokes a half-pack less a day than she did a few weeks ago.
Jonathan Karp
Jonathan Karp's aim entering the "New You" program was simple, but not easy: end his longtime nail-biting habit. But somewhere along the way, he got sidetracked -- and he has several fellow participants to thank. (Karp's profile)
The New Jersey resident's growing, healthy and visible fingernails are proof that he has succeeded in his primary goal.
And he is also exercising and paying better attention to his diet than he was seven weeks ago. Why? (Karp's journal)
"Just because everybody else is doing it," Karp said.
Each of the other "New You" participants made diet and exercise a main focus of their programs, and Karp has joined them. He said he has been particularly inspired by Sandra Garth -- not just her ability to shed pounds, but also her battle with depression.
Garth said she struggled with the condition for years, at times taking antidepressant pills.
"I know about depression, too," Karp said. "I've been down her road, and I didn't want to take pills either. You've got to get out there, and just be strong just by being active." (E-mail Karp)
Sandra Garth
Well on her way to achieving her health goals, Garth got a personal, emotional boost this week to help push her over the top. (Garth's journal)
Her son, Casey, recently called her from Iraq, where he is serving with the U.S. military.
At the outset of the "New You" program, Garth had cited Casey and his wife, Theresa, who also serves in the military, as inspirations. As she cared for their child, Sandra Garth said she was motivated to get in better shape by the time they returned from Iraq. (Garth's profile)
Half that equation is complete: Theresa just returned to Michigan, by way of Germany, where she was reunited with her son, Shannon, and mother-in-law. (E-mail Garth)
 A regular runner, Fricker has diversified his exercise routine to include new activities, like bowling. | |
And Casey isn't far behind: He should leave the Middle East on March 3 or 5, Sandra said.
Learning from experience
Thekla Fischer and Harald Fricker received some encouragement and insight last week from experienced hands: participants in last year's "New You" program. (E-mail Fischer or Fricker)
Fischer dropped in on Michael Kirkbride and his young daughter, Olivia. The two talked about the challenges of having and raising children -- something that Fischer hopes she'll soon be ready for. (Fischer's journal; profile)
"What scares me most is the time commitment," Fischer told Kirkbride.
Fricker, who has lost 20 pounds, talked over the phone with Kimberly Everett about the need to not only lose weight, but also to not gain it back. (Fricker's journal; profile)
Everett lost 10 pounds last winter, and, a year later, has managed to keep it off.
