HEIDELBERG, Germany - Anna Capolongo's face is absolutely beaming. Her joy barely contained by the infectious smile spread across her face as she candidly discusses the dramatic change that's occurred in her life.
Five months ago Capolongo was overweight, tired all the time and unhappy about the way she looked. "I had gained weight through stress and through comfort and when I was walking up the stairs and going to different buildings, I was always out of breath. I had no energy," she said. "I thought, 'I really need to do something about this.' Plus my clothes were tight and I really didn't feel good."
After trying different diets without success, the Manchester, England, native was introduced to the Civilian Fitness Program in August of last year.
Capolongo, an employee of U.S. Army Europe, decided to give it a try.
Members of the Army Wellness Center in Heidelberg performed assessments on participants including Capolongo before the actual start of the program. Participants were also given a meal plan.
Capolongo completed her assessment, followed her prescribed meal plan, did light cardio an hour a day four times a week and lost 10 pounds during the first three weeks she was in the program.
"It felt absolutely great. I was more energetic and now I can easily run up and down stairs and just be a bouncy person. Back to the person I was. Happy go lucky. People give me compliments and that helps, too. They say, 'Look at you,' and it's wonderful."
However, Capolongo admitted she did face a few roadblocks along the way.
"Keeping to my diet and drinking water was one of my biggest challenges," she said. "Now I'm over that and I always have a bottle with me. I overcame it by working out and pushing myself... Even when you're eating the right food, you still need to flush out your system and all of the fat that's being burned off of you. That's the secret."
When she first started losing weight, Capolongo said she restricted certain foods like white bread and pasta from her diet. But she has since found ways to still enjoy the foods she loves to eat.
"You need to satisfy your mind as well as your body. You give yourself that treat but don't take advantage of it. Enjoy small portions," Capolongo said.
She used the same ideology to deal with the ever present onslaught of office potlucks and birthdays.
"I have my cake and I enjoy my cake but I make sure I work out that day and burn those calories. Stay moving at all costs. Walk around as much as possible."
Capolongo said she plans to continue her weight loss journey and says she has a few more pounds to go before reaching her weight loss goal.
So far she has lost about 22 pounds and counting.
"I feel this is something that I can maintain for the rest of my life. My eating habits have changed and I just feel so much better. This program has done wonders for me and my colleagues," Capolongo said. "Now before I get into that crAfA..me cake, I think twice."
Even with her success, Capolongo said she still does not really see herself as a role model, instead just a person who wanted to reclaim her life.
"If I can do it, anybody can do it. Join a group at the gym or join a class. You'll meet other people who are in the same situation as you and you won't feel ashamed of your excess pounds because you're bouncing them off like they are. You meet new people and they inspire you and you inspire them to continue," she said. "If you put your mind to it, you will succeed. Be determined. If it helps, put up a picture of how you are and how you want to be."
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