From overweight and in-pain mom to thin, energetic and happy dancing queen

Fed up with feeling sluggish and older than her 54 years, Lodi’s Melinda Wilson turned to Zumba Fitness dance classes and healthy eating to help her shed 140 pounds in just 16 months

14 images

Dan Evans/News-Sentinel

Melinda Wilson, left, dances to upbeat music during a Zumba class on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2013. Wilson has lost 140 pounds since she started taking Zumba dance classes and eating healthy.

By Lauren Nelson/Lodi Living Editor | Posted 4 months ago

Melinda Wilson didn’t always dance in the front row of Troupe Cabana’s Zumba Fitness. She didn’t always fit into a size 6. And she hasn’t always been able to keep up with her 4-year-old granddaughter on the playground, where she can now spring herself from a swing.

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Before and after: Melinda’s stats and tips

Starting weight: 289.

Current weight: 149.

Her starting goal: To look on the outside how she feels on the inside.

How she lost the weight: She joined Zumba Fitness at Troupe Cabana.

Family: Married with three children, ages 30, 27 and 19; she has a 4-year-old granddaughter.

Her biggest weight loss tips: Cut your portions, watch what you eat and start exercising.

Her food staples: Chicken, at least three fruit servings a day, yogurt.

Work out with Wilson: Troupe Cabana offers details for the various classes. Wilson attends at least seven classes each week.

What Would Melinda Eat?

Dining out is daunting when you’re trying to lose weight. Wilson hasn’t eaten out a lot while on her journey to lose half of herself, but she doesn’t deprive herself, either. Here are examples of how she eats when she’s out and about:

daVinci’s in Lodi

She’ll splurge on half a roast beef sandwich (on Focaccia with no mayo; mustard on both sides of the bread) with a side salad (she brings her own Italian dressing that is low in calories).

Taco Bell

She dines off the Fresco menu, and lately has been getting the black bean burrito. She says anything on the menu can be made Fresco-style.

Subway

Salads.

McDonalds

Grilled chicken sandwich with no mayonnaise.

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From overweight and in-pain mom to thin, energetic and happy dancing queen

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Before and after: Melinda’s stats and tips

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