Family Loses Weight By Walking

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Courtesy of Prevention

Provided by Prevention

After losing 2 siblings to heart disease, the Janssens teamed up with Prevention to walk a half marathon

The Janssens are a picture of the Iowa heartland--especially at the dinner table. A true meat-and-potatoes family, they were taught to eat whatever was on their plates. And with 10 siblings, they learned early that it was better to take an extra scoop of mashed potatoes than end up hungry! Fast-forward a few decades and all that meat and potatoes (don't forget the gravy), along with genetics, left the family with health problems, including heart disease and diabetes. Nine years ago, eldest sibling Claudia Meyer (now 65 and a Team Prevention marathoner) had a stroke, and doctors said she'd never walk again. In 2003, youngest brother Bruce passed away at age 47 from a blood clot, and a little over 2 years later sister Valerie, 57, died suddenly from a heart attack.

The family has seen no shortage of loss, but there is no shortage of love either. "It's like having a twin with each one of our siblings," says Nita Ott, 54. "You're thinking about one of them, and suddenly the phone rings and it's her." It's just that kind of serendipity that led the Janssens to alter their health destiny with a new family tradition: walking.

Click through this gallery of belly-flattening foods to boost your weight loss.

New Flat Belly Foods

Provided by Prevention

Cynthia Sass, MPH, RD, spends hours in supermarkets. As a registered dietitian, Prevention's Grocery Guru, and coauthor of Flat Belly Diet!, it's her job to wade through the 20,000-plus new foods and drinks that hit the shelves each year. Here are her new favorites.

These items are quick, healthy, easy , and delicious. Plus, they're all belly flattening! That means they either provide 200 calories or less per serving to help you lose weight, or they're chock-full of one or both of these belly-fat-attacking nutrients: MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) and whole grains.

Several studies reveal that a diet rich in MUFAs may help reduce belly fat and increase fat burning in people with larger waistlines. And, a new study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that whole grains may help you lose twice as much belly fat.

These foods are more than weight loss aids -- they can help you meet your health goals. And rest assured, they're not "processed," even if they do come in packages. Happy shopping!

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

SIDE DISH

Kashi Seven Whole Grain Pilaf, Original 7 Grain Seven whole grains including oats, long-grain brown rice, and barley in a ready-to-eat pouch (whole grains are linked to a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity). Just microwave and dress with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice, a drizzle of olive oil, and chopped scallions for a delicious side dish. One cup provides 250 calories with nearly 30 of your daily fiber needs, 8 g of protein, and 10 of the DV for iron.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

CEREAL

Amy's Organic Bowls Steel Cut Oats Hot Cereal Whole grain steel-cut oats retain more flavor than rolled or instant oats but typically take more than 30 minutes to cook. This bowl is ready in 5 from the microwave; 220 calories, 5 g of fiber (20 DV), and 6 g of protein per single-serving bowl.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

PASTA

DeBoles Organic Ancient Grain Penne Made from a blend of organic whole grain durum flour, amaranth, spelt, and quinoa. Two ounces dry (which makes about 12 cup cooked) provides 5 g of fiber (20 DV) and 7 g of protein to help control blood sugar levels, regulate energy, and stave off hunger.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

ICE CREAM ALTERNATIVE

Purely Decadent Dairy Free Pomegranate Chip Frozen Dessert Made from organic soy milk, dark chocolate flakes, and natural pomegranate flavoring, this creamy dessert delivers just 200 calories per half cup, no cholesterol, and only 3.5 g of saturated fat.

Purely Decadent

VEGGIE SNACK

Just Tomatoes, Etc.! Organic Just Veggies Dried bits of carrots, corn, peas, bell peppers, and tomatoes with no added ingredients, yet so tasty you'll think they added a flavor booster. A great way to fit in veggies when on the go. A generous 1-ounce portion (one-quarter of the tub) provides just 100 calories along with 60 of the DV for immune-boosting vitamin A and 45 for vitamin C.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

SMOOTHIE

Naked Juice Probiotic Tropical Mango 100 Juice Smoothie A 100 all-natural probiotic juice drink, made from a blend of five luscious fruits. Research suggests consuming healthy probiotic bacteria leads to a boost in immunity as well as better digestive health. One 180-calorie bottle provides a full day's worth of vitamin C and 60 of the DV for vitamin A, and counts as two servings of fruit.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

POTATO CHIP

Corazonas Heart-Healthy Potato Chips, Slightly Salted Forty percent less fat than regular potato chips and infused with natural plant sterols proven to lower "bad" LDL cholesterol. They're thick, crunchy, and satisfying. The trick is sticking to one serving: one-sixth of a bag (portion it out into a small bowl and put the rest away), which provides 130 calories, 6 g of fat, and 0.5 g of saturated fat, with a bonus 2 g of fiber.

Corozonas Heart Healthy Potato Chips

CHEESE

Kraft LiveActive Mozzarella Cheese Sticks A probiotic choice for cheese lovers and a perfect pack-and-go snack. For just 80 calories you get 8 g of protein (about 10 of what you need daily) along with 20 of your daily calcium needs.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

MILK ALTERNATIVE

Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Vanilla Non-Dairy Beverage The unflavored version of this "milk," made from real almonds, contains 25 fewer calories than most soy milks. The vanilla provides only 90 per cup, while the unsweetened chocolate or vanilla varieties provide just 40 to 45 calories and 0 g of sugar with no artificial sweeteners. Perfect by itself or in cereal, oatmeal, smoothies, or puddings. All of the flavors provide 20 of a day's calcium, 25 of vitamin D, and 50 of vitamin E.

Nathan Ellis Perkel for AOL

A year of change

In February 2007, Nita picked up a copy of Prevention at the doctor's office and subscribed. The loss of her sister the year before had thrown her into a depression, and between that sadness, stress at work, and menopause, her weight had crept up 30 pounds without her even noticing. "I was using a rubber band to fasten my pants because I could no longer button them," Nita says. "When the scale hit 193, I knew I had to do something. I didn't want to top 200."

When her first issue of Prevention arrived, Nita discovered a marathon-training program for anyone. Just as she was thinking, Hey, I can do that! The phone rang and her daughter Crystal Ayers was on the line. She had been reading the same magazine. "Hey, Mom," she said, "Prevention's doing this thing called 'walk a marathon.' Let's do it!"

Better health: A family affair

The plan quickly spread through the entire clan, and soon seven siblings, three spouses, eight children, and three grandchildren were on board to walk the IMT Des Moines half marathon (13.1 miles): a total of 21 relatives spanning ages 13 to 64. "It was time to do something to take care of ourselves rather than see each other at funerals," says Nita. Plus, it was shaping up to be a party, and nobody wanted to be left out!

The first steps weren't easy. "Before the training, my walking was mostly from the couch to the fridge," says Nita. "The first night I walked, my whole body ached. Afterward I soaked in the bathtub forever." But she walked the next day and the following one because she couldn't let down her siblings. Within a week, the pains disappeared. "I'd never felt so amazing in my life," she says. "I slept better and felt more fit than ever. When my 6-year-old energy bubble of a granddaughter visited, I kept up with her every step. And at the end she was the one asking for a foot massage!"

Going the distance together

Sharing a common goal gave the family a way to stay connected, even though they're scattered across six states. Every week e-mail chains full of encouragement and tips flew throughout the family. Despite different schedules and time zones, their cell phone calls often coincided with their walks. "I was walking one morning in Idaho when I got a call from Lois," recalls Nita. "She was training in Iowa, so we walked 'together.'"

Nearby family members strengthened their bond by exercising side by side. "My two daughters and granddaughter told me all about their lives as we walked," says Lois Pote, 57, who dropped 25 pounds. There was a bit of healthy competition, too. "The highlight for me," says May Smith, 47, "was when my 17-year-old said, 'Mom, can we slow down yet?'"

Forever Changed

The adrenaline on race day--a perfect sunny October Sunday in Des Moines--was contagious. Even though they were gathered at 4 am after a weekend of get-togethers and little sleep, everyone had plenty of energy for a rousing chorus of "We Are Family"--Nita's favorite training song--by Sister Sledge. When the gun went off, the crowd of 5,000 walkers and runners made it impossible to keep the whole group together. Still, nobody walked alone. "I was so nervous, my hands were shaking," says Lois, "but doing it with my daughter Heidi made me feel safer."

Over the miles, family members walked in small groups, catching up on news in their lives, sharing emotions, telling stories, and encouraging each other. "When my blisters started acting up at mile 6, Heidi distracted me with a game of 'let's see who we can catch ahead of us,'" says Lois. Even Claudia, back on her feet despite doctors' bleak prognosis 9 years ago, took part in the walk--65 pounds lighter and feeling "twice as good as ever." For Nita, crossing the finish line with her sister-in-law Stephanie, who had been married to her brother Bruce, is a memory she will never forget. Heart disease may have claimed Bruce's life, but the Janssen family is walking toward a promising new future. "There are events that you look back on and know that your life just changed forever," says Lois. "This was one of those once-in-a-lifetime moments, not only for me, but for our entire family."

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