Waist not, want not

Exercise and low-carb diet burn 140 pounds

Anita McCall grins as she holds up size-24 pants.
The large pair of denim jeans represents her first victory in weight loss — dropping from a size 26 to a 24.
The now size-4 woman speaks up about balancing life, fitness and healthy eating.
“My whole reason for talking to people is to help out other women like me,” she said.
McCall struggled with weight gain for more than 10 years. No matter what she did the pounds wouldn’t come off. She visited six doctors looking for help, then she hit lucky number seven — Dr. Richard Wing.
The Charlotte doctor diagnosed McCall with polycystic ovarian syndrome. The disease affected many aspects of McCall’s life, including the way her body processed insulin.
She hit the books.
McCall began studying her ailment and planning a course of action. She got on medications to regulate her insulin and started a lifestyle change.
The determined woman read more than 30 books and joined the Lincoln County Family YMCA. In December 2003 she started on a low carbohydrate diet and began working out at the gym six days a week.
People began to recognize her face as she constantly worked out before the sun came up.
“Early morning was the only time in my day that wouldn’t take away from my family,” she said.
McCall treasured her time at the gym as well as her time with her husband, Chuck, and 16-year-old daughter, Brittany Rhom.
The encouragement from her family and people at the Y provided a support system for McCall, though she said a successful exercise regime means going it alone. She couldn’t depend on anyone else to work on cardio and weight machines six days a week.
McCall’s individualized workout and eating plan has taken off 140 pounds. She is only 13 pounds away from her final goal.
The weight loss has taken away many of her aches and pains she once suffered. The feat has also taken her out of her comfort zone and into the limelight.
Since her success, McCall has gotten numerous phone calls and e-mails from people she doesn’t know. All want to know how she’s achieved such a level of success.
The biggest surprise call came from the editor of “Low Carb Living.” McCall wrote a letter thanking the publication for its ideas, stories and recipes. The magazine answered back by planning a feature on the local woman.
McCall has filled out surveys and e-mails and sent in a picture of herself before the weight loss. Once she sends in a current photograph, she’ll be featured in an upcoming issue.
“The amount of attention that has gone along with this has really freaked me out,” she said.
People turn to her for advice, and organizations have approached her about teaching classes. McCall hasn’t jumped on opportunities to teach so far. But she does enjoy encouraging people who want to lose weight. She maintains that her success is attainable by everyone.
“I’ve not done anything spectacular. The only thing that makes me different is I’ve stuck to it.”by Diane Turbyfill