Tracey Tann ParkerTracey Tann Parker is busy! She is a full-time nurse and a part-time, dual-degree student at Hunter College. While most students become less healthy because of their hectic schedules, Tracey had the opposite experience. Here's how she began making small changes in her life that got her feeling good and looking great.

Q: What inspired you to adopt a healthier lifestyle?

A: It all started in 2024 with a class assignment. We had to go to www.mypyramid.gov (the nutrition webpage of the United States Department of Agriculture) and enter what we had eaten during the day. The website calculates your calories and the amounts of proteins, fats and carbohydrates you eat. The professor told us when we were given the assignment, "How can you call yourselves health professionals if you're obese, and you're eating all the wrong foods? Why would any patient listen to you? People are looking to you as an example and role model."

Q: Was the mypyramid.gov site helpful?

A: At first I just wanted a good grade so I used it, but after the first week of tracking my foods, I was really surprised! I wasn't eating any fruits or vegetables at all! I was eating mostly breads, beef sausages and processed meats (lots of Subway sandwiches). I was pretty heavy at the time, but hadn't really been paying attention. I thought I'd give the recommendations from the website a try and see if it worked. I made some little changes in my diet but really didn't give it much thought for about three months. My co-workers noticed the weight loss first and kept asking me if I was okay, but it really didn't hit me until I went to Macy's. I tried on an outfit in my regular size, which at the time was a 16, and it just fell off of me!

Read more from Tracey Tann Parker by clicking the links below:

• Changes she made to get healthy, Part I
• Changes she made to get healthy, Part II
• Feeling good after healthy lifestyle changes
• How to get healthy and drop your dress/pants size

Profiles of Hope are health testimonials with Harlem community members written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.