Models show off their new, healthy look

<p>OCALA — In a year and a half, Michelle Diaz has gone from a size 24 and hiding her weight with clothing to a size 3 and modeling a turquoise maxi dress, Navy shirt and white vest at the Belk Heart Health fashion show Saturday at the Paddock Mall.</p><p>“I have a new outlook on life and a crazy amount of energy. I’ve taken up new hobbies like paddle boarding and biking,” said Diaz, 48, who lost about 94 pounds.</p><p>The show featured 18 clients of Metabolic Research Center weight loss specialists, 16 women and two men, who lost from 10 to 110 pounds over the last few years.</p><p>Each model carried a poster-sized “before weight loss” picture as they celebrated their healthy new look with a walk down the runway, which was set up at the entrance to the Belk department store.</p><p>Belk store coupons were available at the event with a donation to the American Heart Association. </p><p>“I felt I was big and people were judging me from the outside. I felt like the real me was trapped inside and people never had the opportunity to know what was inside. I felt hopeless,” Diaz said.</p><p>Diaz’s sister Rosanne Hartley, 52, sat in the audience to support her sister. The sisters lost weight after a trip together to buy clothes that Hartley called a “horrible” experience.</p><p>Hartley said it was a defining moment, which motivated them to lose weight.</p><p>Lee Ann Nagy, 52, a lab technician with Lens Crafters, lost about 110 pounds less than two year ago. She graced the stage in a size 3 print dress, down from a size 20 before her weight loss..</p><p>“It’s all about commitment. I feel better. I lost about 55 pounds on my own and about 55 pounds through Metabolic Research Center,” Nagy said. Her daughter Chelsea Nagy, 23, said her mother had set a good example.</p><p>Metabolic Research Center CEO Jan Carver said “tailored weight loss programs to suit the needs of clients” are provided. Chrissie Barwick with the company said healthy lifestyle plans include food choices like ground turkey and celery-based snacks for parties.</p><p>Waiting to walk the runway, Spruce Creek Preserve resident Judy Brown, 75, said she lost 20 pounds as part of her “new me,” while client Renee Thomasson, 51, said she lost about 30 pounds.</p><p>Derick Dimry, 57, an office manager, looked fit after losing 26 pounds. He walked the runway in a casual outfit with a pastel-colored jacket.</p><p>“I mainly lost the weight because I have several injuries and can’t exercise. I don’t want the extra weight in 10 years,” he said.</p><p>Fred Jenkins stood in the audience to support his wife, Susi Jenkins, 62, who lost 21 pounds with Metabolic Research Center.</p><p>“I got tired of squeezing into clothes,” Susi said as Fred said “she did good.”</p><p>Valerie and Charlie Wells, married 15 years, were the sole couple to walk the runway and show the world new healthy look together.</p><p>Valerie, 53, a nurse with Munroe Regional Medical Center, wearing her “little black dress,” lost nearly 40 pounds, while Charlie, 54, with the Florida Department of Transportation in Ocala, looked sharp and trim in a dark suit after dropping about 22 pounds.</p><p>“Because I’m wearing this little black dress, Charlie will have to take me out tonight, “ Valerie Wells joked.</p><p>Chris Martin, 50, a business insurance agent with Lassiter-Ware Insurance Agency, lost about 35 pounds in two months. She graced the runway in a Navy and peach maxi dress.</p><p>“I never would have selected this dress before (my weight loss). I’m much more confident now. In fact, I recently secured my largest account. This has really helped my self-esteem,” she said.</p><p>Tammy Matthews, 55, lost about 31 pounds on a Metabolic Research Center program.</p><p>“As a horse riding enthusiast, I’m enjoying the weight loss. I have a small horse and I’m sure he’s enjoying it, too,” she said.</p>

Models show off their new, healthy look