One day, when going in for a routine eye appointment, Lang Smotherman was hit with an incredible reality check. As the standard for eye appointments has come to include checks of patients’ blood pressure, she was given less than pleasant news about her own status.
“My doctor told me that my blood pressure was through the roof,” Mrs. Smotherman says. “That was the final straw. I knew something had to be done.”
On July 8, 2013, she decided to begin what is known as the Paleo Diet. The Paleo Diet, which mimics the types of foods that were being eaten prior to the Agricultural Revolution, includes fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and seafood. The diet calls for avoidance of foods such as refined sugars and grains, trans fats, salt, high-glycemic carbohydrates, and processed foods, which contribute to weight gain, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and other health problems.
“My younger sister had done a Paleo challenge and I noticed the change in her,” Mrs. Smotherman says. “Seeing her results pushed me to give it a try.”
Over the span of eight months, Mrs. Smotherman worked hard, day-in and day-out, to ensure that her health and daily living habits would improve. In the long run, she would see a tremendous change in her health, appearance, and quality of life.
“I had been battling my weight for years,” she says. “The Paleo Diet gave me the results that I had been striving to reach. I have been faithful to the diet for two and a half years, and I feel great.”
Standing at 5’4”, Mrs. Smotherman managed to decrease her weight from nearly 300 pounds to a current 140. She attributes her terrific turnaround to her strict diet regulation.
“With the Paleo Diet, I saw results fast,” she says. “Within the first eight to 10 days of starting, my energy was through the roof. I was around the house, cleaning non-stop. I felt really, really good.”
Along with a strict diet, regular exercise is also a tremendous help. Mrs. Smotherman acknowledges that, while exercise is key, it is still primary that the biggest gains (or losses) are made in the kitchen.
“I would say that about 85 percent of what you lose depends on what you eat,” she says. “I’m not knocking exercise, but in order to lose weight, you have to change your diet. My heaviest meal of the day is typically dinner, and that’s only because I cook for my family. If it was just me, I would have small dinners as well.”
Mrs. Smotherman’s weight loss was noticed by many. Aside from her boost in energy, others were quick to pick up on her changes. Her determination eventually turned into her own business, Paleo Measures, which allows her to consult and guide others that are interested in the diet as well.
“My cousin asked if he could give my contact information to some of his patients that were looking to lose weight,” she says. “Next thing I knew, I had business cards, a website, and clients. I’m glad to be able to help others, because I know it’s not always easy.”
In the long run, Mrs. Smotherman’s motto is the same today as it has been for years. She believes that anything can be done if you are willing to give it the proper attention and effort.
“There’s one particular quote that I live by, and I believe that it is 100 percent true,” she says. “If something is important to you, you’ll find a way. If not, you’ll make an excuse.”
For more information on how the Paleo Diet has helped Mrs. Smotherman, and to find out how she can help you achieve your goals, visit the Paleo Measures website at http://www.paleomeaures.com.
Not one for numbers, Lang Smotherman says that one of the keys to remaining motivated on any diet is to avoid getting wrapped up in numbers. But, in her case, the numbers are the tale. In July of 2013, she began the Paleo Diet. Since then, she has dropped 160 pounds and twenty dress sizes!
Aside from running her business, Mrs. Smotherman is also a devoted mother and wife. She and her husband have two children. Their son, Briggs, is 26 years old and currently attends chiropractic school in Florida, and their daughter, Allie, currently attends Valdosta High School.
By James Washington
Photography by Micki K Photography
Health Life Magazine 