May 22, 2009 6:00 pm US/Eastern
Health: Area Mom Overcomes Major Obstacles
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ―
On the health alert, battling obesity and cancer. A double dose of trouble for one Philadelphia woman who conquered both and is now inspiring others.
Talk about overcoming the odds, she lost over 100 pounds, beat cancer and managed to have a baby.
She's featured in the just released Fitness Magazine.
She's in super shape now. 41-year-old Elga Lyle works out everyday. She used to top the scales at 270 pounds.
"Basically I had no self worth. I didn't know who I was," shared Elga.
Her transformation started 12 years ago with healthy, small portions and daily exercise.
"I lost 120 pounds in a year and a half," she said.
Then she got pregnant and because of forced bed rest, she gained 70 pounds before her daughter was born.
"It was harder, much harder to lose that weight," she said.
But she did. Elga defeated obesity and then overcame a more deadly battle -- cancer.
"It was scary," she said.
"I was worried about whether this was something that was going to go away or something that would take me out of the world, I really didn't know," said Elga.
After chemo and radiation, with her hair falling out, Elga, who's also a singer and song writer, continued to perform.
She's been cancer free for four years.
She's featured this month in Fitness Magazine.
Elga is now a trainer and teaching at the Aquatic and Fitness Center, wanting everyone to know anything is possible.
"You need to connect to yourself mind body spirit and then you can achieve any goal you want," said Elga.
With dieting, Elga says she stays away from processed junk food and concentrates on healthy small portions.
Elga has many more tips on her Web site,
www.urbana99.com.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Openly Gay Celebrities
Stumble It!
Reporting
