Inspiring Couple Loses 130 Pounds Together, Demonstrate Power of Accountability
After their kids left home, Elena and Bill Rodriguez began eating out more, and settled into a sedentary lifestyle.
Motivated to increase their likelihood of being around to watch their eight, grandchildren grow up, the couple committed to losing weight together.
Bill, 57, wasn’t as active as he used to be and stopped paying attention to the size of his servings as the couple adjusted to its empty nest. His weight increased steadily, and he couldn’t deny the age factor.
“As you get older your system starts slowing down, and with that your weight starts going up. It’s such a gradual thing you don’t really notice it,” Bill told NBC News. Then you see a picture of yourself and think, ‘Wow, my face really filled in.’”
Elena, 48, struggled with her weight for nearly 30 years. Following her first pregnancy and a battle with depression, she saw her weight go from 120 to over 200 pounds. At her heaviest, she weighed 237 pounds.
Seeking support to make healthy lifestyle changes
After Bill found out one of his co-workers had been able to lose a lot of weight through Profile by Sanford, a personalized weight loss program, he brought it up with his wife.
Elena was skeptical at first, having tried many diets and weight loss plans in the past, without much success.
“I’m 48 and my goal was to lose weight by the age of 40. That never happened — I had let myself down,” she said. “Everything else had failed. I was at the last straw. “I felt like if this doesn’t work, nothing will.”
After weighing the pros and cons, Elena and Bill decided to give the program a try, together. The plan cost each of them $150 a year, which in itself was enough to keep Elena motivated to see it through.
Accountability and consistency trump fad diets
They started by making changes to their diets, swapping fatty and fried junk foods for loads of steamed and raw vegetables, while they increased their water intake.
“They give you a shopping list of items to go look for to make your meals. It really just teaches you to eat better,” said Bill.
They started cooking together and encouraged each other every step of the way, keeping one another in check and accountable.
“I think the fact that we did it together was a key factor, and that the things we changed really fit well with us,” he said.
After losing her father to a stroke when he was only 66, Elena knew the timing was right.
“I have grandchildren now. I don’t want to be old and miserable. I want to enjoy my life. I don’t want to put my kids through loss, and I don’t want to enhance the possibility of dying,” she said.
Together, Bill and Elena have lost 130 pounds combined and their efforts continue to pay off — their health has improved, they’re more active and are reaping financial benefits as well. Most of all, they’ve learned that setbacks are only temporary, so long as you don’t give up.
“I feel better from the ground up. Even our sex life is better,” said Elena. “Profile has redefined who I am — my body and my spirit.”
Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.