Deborah Daleus’s health turnaround earns her the AHA Lifestyle Change Award
By: Stephen Finn
The Sun
When Cinnaminson resident Deborah Daleus’s life took a turn for the worse in 2016, her health was quick to follow suit. That year, her husband passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. “Everything spiraled downhill,” said Daleus, recalling her life after the tragedy.
She turned to food to deal with the pain of her loss and ended up gaining an enormous amount of weight. Through her employer’s health plan, she was able to take a Health 180 test that provides a biometric screening and an overall health assessment. She wasn’t happy with the results.
“When the tests came back my body mass index was way off, my cholesterol skyrocketed, I was pre-diabetic and my liver functions were elevated. I thought ‘what am I doing?’” said Daleus.
She decided enough was enough. She lost both of her parents to heart disease and stroke and knew she had to make a change before she followed in their footsteps.
Daleus started with her diet. She stuck to basics like chicken and fish and began her days with a health shake. She had to sacrifice some foods she enjoyed as well.
“I gave up all bread. It was tough at the beginning,” said Daleus.
As she began the journey to transforming her health, Daleus knew she would need some guidance along the way. Kelli Macrae, a friend and co-worker, turned out to be just the resource she needed. According to Daleus, Macrae is very health conscious and has experience with healthy living practices.
Macrae was able to guide Daleus on her way to a healthier lifestyle.
“Whenever I had questions, Kelli was there to help. She has been a huge inspiration to me,” said Daleus.
With the tips she received from Macrae, Daleus also got serious about exercising and going to the gym. Before she started making changes, she had chosen the condo she was living in largely because it was accessible by elevator. She started taking the stairs instead and worked at it until she could climb all three flights without feeling short of breath.
“My life has totally turned around, I haven’t felt this good in I don’t know how long” said Daleus. Since the start of this new chapter in her life, she has lost 35 pounds. Her cholesterol levels have plummeted from 255 to 170 and she has managed to get off of one of her blood pressure medications.
Macrae was so impressed with Daleus’s transformation that she nominated her for the American Heart Association’s Lifestyle Change Award. The association uses this award to recognize a person who has made changes that will impact the quality of their life and improve their health.
Daleus was shocked by the nomination and even more so when the AHA informed her she was to receive the award. She is being recognized at the Southern New Jersey Fall Heart Walk on Oct. 27. She is participating in the event not only to remember her parents but for herself, as she celebrates how far she has come.
Daleus has some advice for people who want to make a change like hers.
“You have to go for it. The biggest thing is being afraid of failing but you’ll never know unless you try,” said Daleus. “You have to take that first step. Until you take that first step nothing will happen.”
