01of 49
Rebin Roy: Lost 126 Lbs.
Roytold PEOPLEshe “could easily down a pitcher of margaritas and 20 buffalo wings at happy hour,” and smoked a pack-and-a-half to two packs of cigarettes every day for 14 years.
While she quit smoking after getting pregnant with her first child in 2003, she kept her unhealthy eating habits until she began having health problems after having her third child.
What She Eats Now:Roy eats six small meals a day and still allows herself the occasional fast food burger — but will only eat half.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:She uses aslow cookerto preparehealthy meals. “That makes my life so much easier. I’ll put some chicken in in the morning and it’s done for dinner.”
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Brianna Bernard: Lost 107 Lbs.
Courtesy; Ari Michelson
WhenBrianna Bernardgot pregnant she “used it it as an excuse” to indulge in comfort foods.
But after giving birth to her son, now 5, Bernard continued her poor eating habits and “didn’t take the time for self care,” she said.
A year later, she had dropped 100 lbs. and started powerlifting competitively. She even became a trainer at the gym that helped her lose weight.
“I feel like a completely different person, and I am in so many ways,” she says. “Not just physically — that’s obvious — but the way I feel in my mind. It’s hard to even look back. It feels like a lifetime ago. Now I feel like there’s nothing I can’t do. If I can lose 100 lbs., I can do anything.”
03of 49Rachel Saintfort: Lost 121 Lbs.Rachel Saintforthad never let her weight be a source of stress.“In high school I hit 200 lbs., but I was blessed to be a confident person,” the Lakeland, Florida native tells PEOPLE for the2018 “How We Lost 100 Lbs.” issue.However, she continued to gradually gain weight and reached her highest, 291 lbs., after the birth of her daughter in 2007.Saintfort decided to try dieting, but nothing stuck. Then, in January 2017, she got a wake up call. Her daughter, now 10 years old, said a classmate had called Saintfort “fat."“She looked so sad, and she’s trying to act like it wasn’t a big deal. At that moment it hit me that she’s suffering, and she’s being picked on or laughed at because of my laziness or my unhealthy choices,” Saintfort says. “That definitely inspired me to get it together, because I didn’t want her to feel that way.”The case manager, 32, decided to cut out fast food and soda and started doing daily 3-mile walks around the lake in her town.She also starteddocumenting her weight loss journeyon her Instagram account,@Ms100Lbs, and set a goal to drop 100 lbs.Less than 12 months later, she reached her goal. “I cried,” she says. “It was an amazing feeling.”
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Rachel Saintfort: Lost 121 Lbs.
Rachel Saintforthad never let her weight be a source of stress.
“In high school I hit 200 lbs., but I was blessed to be a confident person,” the Lakeland, Florida native tells PEOPLE for the2018 “How We Lost 100 Lbs.” issue.
However, she continued to gradually gain weight and reached her highest, 291 lbs., after the birth of her daughter in 2007.
Saintfort decided to try dieting, but nothing stuck. Then, in January 2017, she got a wake up call. Her daughter, now 10 years old, said a classmate had called Saintfort “fat.”
“She looked so sad, and she’s trying to act like it wasn’t a big deal. At that moment it hit me that she’s suffering, and she’s being picked on or laughed at because of my laziness or my unhealthy choices,” Saintfort says. “That definitely inspired me to get it together, because I didn’t want her to feel that way.”
The case manager, 32, decided to cut out fast food and soda and started doing daily 3-mile walks around the lake in her town.
She also starteddocumenting her weight loss journeyon her Instagram account,@Ms100Lbs, and set a goal to drop 100 lbs.
Less than 12 months later, she reached her goal. “I cried,” she says. “It was an amazing feeling.”
04of 49Gwilym Pugh: Lost 93 Lbs.Gwilym Pugh; Dvora/REX/ShutterstockAt 280 lbs., Gwilym Pugh was overweight, out of shape and living a sendentary life.After a “5 to 7 year” weight loss journey, which included a lot of “trial and error,” Pugh, 33, lost 93 lbs. and found a new career.Now, a top model and an ambassador for David Beckham’s grooming brand House 99, Pugh,tellsPEOPLE he focuses on a diet of micronutrients and good fats, and managable exercise.“Due to injuries, I’ve struggled with high-intensity work, but I’ve foundlow-intensity cardiopre-breakfast has been great,” says Pugh, who now sees an osteopath and a trainer, and aims for 20,000 steps per day.As for life as an in-demand model andsocial media influencer: “This life is something I had never even thought to dream of,” says the London-based Pugh. “Every aspect of my life has improved, from physical and mental health to personal and professional relationships.”
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Gwilym Pugh: Lost 93 Lbs.
Gwilym Pugh; Dvora/REX/Shutterstock
At 280 lbs., Gwilym Pugh was overweight, out of shape and living a sendentary life.
After a “5 to 7 year” weight loss journey, which included a lot of “trial and error,” Pugh, 33, lost 93 lbs. and found a new career.
Now, a top model and an ambassador for David Beckham’s grooming brand House 99, Pugh,tellsPEOPLE he focuses on a diet of micronutrients and good fats, and managable exercise.
“Due to injuries, I’ve struggled with high-intensity work, but I’ve foundlow-intensity cardiopre-breakfast has been great,” says Pugh, who now sees an osteopath and a trainer, and aims for 20,000 steps per day.
As for life as an in-demand model andsocial media influencer: “This life is something I had never even thought to dream of,” says the London-based Pugh. “Every aspect of my life has improved, from physical and mental health to personal and professional relationships.”
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Mariah Stolfi: Lost 84 Lbs.
Mariah Stolfi
The Wisconsin native also struggled with health issues. In her early teens she was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and sleep apnea. “It is extremely difficult to lose weight and maintainweight losswith PCOS,” says Stolfi, who hit her highest weight of 286 lbs. at age 18. “And the lack of good sleep caused me to be lethargic, which meant I didn’t have the energy to work out.”
In July 2017, Stolfi, 19, decided to undergo vertical sleeve gastrectomy surgery.
Now down 84 lbs. – she hopes to lose an additional 60-70 lbs. – she is sharing her journey on social media.
“Once I discovered theweight loss surgeryInstagram community I knew I had to be a part of it,” says Stolfi, whose candid photos and videos have garnered her more than 14,000 followers onInstagramandYouTubecombined.
As for her best advice to those struggling with their weight: “This journey is 80 percent mental and 20 percent physical. If you don’t fix your mindset you will not succeed on your weight loss journey.”
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Kathleen Golding: Lost 178 Lbs.
Kathleen Golding/Instagram
Growing up, Kathleen Golding had always been overweight. By 21, she had turned to food as a “coping mechanism” while wrestling with anxiety and depression.
“I was stuck in a constant cycle of daily binging,” the New Bern, North Carolina resident, whose highest weight was 331 lbs.,tellsPEOPLE. “I was eating fast food for every meal and enormous quantities each time.”
“For some reason,weight loss surgeryis seen as ‘cheating’ or being weak, but for me, I found strength in being able to say ‘I can’t do this on my own. I want to be healthy, but I need help,'" says Golding, now 26.
Now, Golding says she is finally at peace with her body. “I have some loose skin and it definitely has its imperfections, but I worked hard for this body,” says Golding, who also documented her weight loss journey onInstagram. “I spent so much time hating it but I’ve realized that this is the only body I’ve got and I’m going to take care of it.”
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Bonnie Wiles: Lost 162 Lbs.
Courtesy; Perry Hagopian
“I tried diets but kept gaining weight after getting married and having four children,” Wiles, 58,tells PEOPLE in the 2018 Half Their Size issue. “It wasn’t until my first grandson was born in 2011 that I committed to get healthy.”
The Fayetteville, Arkansas, resident joined TOPS, a weight loss support group, and started using MyFitnessPal.
“It tells me if I’m overeating and helps keep track of how much I walk—usually 50 miles a week,” says Wiles, now 148 lbs.
And she is loving her new lifestyle.
“When I was heavy, I had to ask for a seatbelt extender on a plane. Now I can’t wait to go with my family to Hawaii, where I can show off my favorite body part—my arms.”
08of 49Jeremiah Peterson: Lost 92 Lbs.Jeremiah Peterson/InstagramAfter a family hiking excursion proved too taxing for his 290-lb. frame,Jeremiah Petersondecided to change his lifestyle.“I remember being bent over heaving just trying to catch my breath,” the Missoula, Montana-resident tells PEOPLE. “When I looked up, I saw my wife and three kids [10, 8 and 7] easily hiking, talking and laughing with each other — without me. It was a hard-hitting moment.“He entered a transformation challenge for motivation. Then, switched over to aketo-based dietconsisting of healthy fats, lean protein and green vegetables, started taking twice-daily hour-long hikes, and lifting weights.Peterson, now 198 lbs., ended up dropping 82 lbs. during the 150-day transformation contest, called the 1st Phorm Transphormation Challenge — and he won the $50,000 grand prize.He says: “I feel like I have drive and ambition like I have never had before in my life — and I’m almost 40!”
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Jeremiah Peterson: Lost 92 Lbs.
Jeremiah Peterson/Instagram
After a family hiking excursion proved too taxing for his 290-lb. frame,Jeremiah Petersondecided to change his lifestyle.
“I remember being bent over heaving just trying to catch my breath,” the Missoula, Montana-resident tells PEOPLE. “When I looked up, I saw my wife and three kids [10, 8 and 7] easily hiking, talking and laughing with each other — without me. It was a hard-hitting moment.”
He entered a transformation challenge for motivation. Then, switched over to aketo-based dietconsisting of healthy fats, lean protein and green vegetables, started taking twice-daily hour-long hikes, and lifting weights.
Peterson, now 198 lbs., ended up dropping 82 lbs. during the 150-day transformation contest, called the 1st Phorm Transphormation Challenge — and he won the $50,000 grand prize.
He says: “I feel like I have drive and ambition like I have never had before in my life — and I’m almost 40!”
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Megan Rachow: Lost 170 Lbs.
Megan Rachow
Rachow, 30, remembers the exact day she decided it was time for a change.
“I had been living a life of obesity for a few years and was exhausted both physically and mentally,” the physical therapisttells PEOPLE. “I felt like I had gained so much weight that I would never get it back off. I still remember the day that the switch flipped for me — July 19, 2014 — and I decided I was done living like this.”
The Medina, Ohio, resident says until that point she was drinking five or more cans of soda a day, eating large quantities of food and stopping at the drive-thru daily.
“Exercise was out of the question as I could barely walk up the stairs to my apartment,” she says.
Spurred into action, Rachow says she started small, first cutting out soda and only eating food she cooked at home.
10of 49Mike Bauler: Lost 225 Lbs.Mike BaulerAfter Bauler’s father-in-law went on life support following a heart attack in 2010, the Madison, Wisc., resident saidhe knew he needed to change his own ways.“At this time I was 28, had two young boys, Eli (2) and Carson (6 months),” he says. “I recall all of the family standing around crying and sad. This was the trigger for me as I knew if I didn’t get my life together soon, I would be the next person in that hospital bed.”A few weeks after his father-in-law was admitted to the hospital, Bauler, who weighed 450 lbs. at his heaviest, signed up at a local gym. He first focused on exercising and eventually made changes to his diet, sticking to 1,500 calories a day and smaller portion sizes for one year.Now the 35-year-old runs everyday and has completed endurance competitions like Ironman and Ragnar.“I lost most of my weight (200 lbs.) in about 18 months so I have had to stay busy to keep it off,” he says. “I am extremely competitive and have an amazing network of friends and the From Fat To Finish Line (FFTFL) community. I like to join training groups and training clubs because of the friendships and accountability it creates. It would be easy for me to blow off a 10-mile run at 5:30 on a Friday morning, but I know I have two friends meeting me, who I would never let down.”
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Mike Bauler: Lost 225 Lbs.
Mike Bauler
After Bauler’s father-in-law went on life support following a heart attack in 2010, the Madison, Wisc., resident saidhe knew he needed to change his own ways.
“At this time I was 28, had two young boys, Eli (2) and Carson (6 months),” he says. “I recall all of the family standing around crying and sad. This was the trigger for me as I knew if I didn’t get my life together soon, I would be the next person in that hospital bed.”
A few weeks after his father-in-law was admitted to the hospital, Bauler, who weighed 450 lbs. at his heaviest, signed up at a local gym. He first focused on exercising and eventually made changes to his diet, sticking to 1,500 calories a day and smaller portion sizes for one year.
Now the 35-year-old runs everyday and has completed endurance competitions like Ironman and Ragnar.
“I lost most of my weight (200 lbs.) in about 18 months so I have had to stay busy to keep it off,” he says. “I am extremely competitive and have an amazing network of friends and the From Fat To Finish Line (FFTFL) community. I like to join training groups and training clubs because of the friendships and accountability it creates. It would be easy for me to blow off a 10-mile run at 5:30 on a Friday morning, but I know I have two friends meeting me, who I would never let down.”
11of 49Katia Powell: Lost 170 Lbs.Katia Powell (2)After reaching her highest weight of 350 lbs. at 26 years old,Boston resident Katia Powellrealized her own health didn’t reflect her dreams of becoming a medical doctor.Powell was overweight as a child, eating a diet full of processed foods and little water and vegetables. In college, Powell says she dramatically gained more weight. “I walked into my apartment, stared at my reflection in the mirror and asked, ‘Who is that?’ It was a defining moment for me,” says Powell, 38, who is now a holistic health practitioner and fitness trainer who has founded the company Black Girls Nutrition.Powell joined her local YMCA, gradually increasing her workouts until she was going 4 to 5 days a week for 60 to 90 minutes. She also changed her eating habits, replacing sugary sweets with fresh fruit and vegetables. Within the first six months she lost 100 lbs., and has since lost another 70 lbs.Powell, who has kept the weight off for 12 years, says she now loves cycling, dance and yoga, and “if I am unable to attend the gym, I run or take a walk outside, or workout at home and do a high intensity interval training. My workout routine also includes meditation,” she says.
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Katia Powell: Lost 170 Lbs.
Katia Powell (2)
After reaching her highest weight of 350 lbs. at 26 years old,Boston resident Katia Powellrealized her own health didn’t reflect her dreams of becoming a medical doctor.
Powell was overweight as a child, eating a diet full of processed foods and little water and vegetables. In college, Powell says she dramatically gained more weight. “I walked into my apartment, stared at my reflection in the mirror and asked, ‘Who is that?’ It was a defining moment for me,” says Powell, 38, who is now a holistic health practitioner and fitness trainer who has founded the company Black Girls Nutrition.
Powell joined her local YMCA, gradually increasing her workouts until she was going 4 to 5 days a week for 60 to 90 minutes. She also changed her eating habits, replacing sugary sweets with fresh fruit and vegetables. Within the first six months she lost 100 lbs., and has since lost another 70 lbs.
Powell, who has kept the weight off for 12 years, says she now loves cycling, dance and yoga, and “if I am unable to attend the gym, I run or take a walk outside, or workout at home and do a high intensity interval training. My workout routine also includes meditation,” she says.
12of 49Sara Cloutier: Lost 151 Lbs.Courtesy; Perry HagopianCloutier, 36, always felt like an outsidergrowing up. She weighed 220 lbs. in high school, and never enjoyed shopping or playing sports with her friends.“I cannot remember a time when I didn’t feel like I was the biggest girl in the group, and I hated it,” Cloutier tells PEOPLE for the 2018 Half Their Size issue. “I was always the odd one out.”After her first pregnancy with her daughter in 2003, Cloutier hit 301 lbs., and was ready for a change. “I didn’t want to die,” she says. “I wanted to watcher grow up and give her healthy habits.” By working out with a trainer and choosing healthier meals, she successfully lost 151 lbs., and maintained a healthy weight through her second pregnancy in 2008.As she worked to get back into a postpartum fitness routine, Cloutier discovered Zumba, and fell in love with group fitness classes. Three weeks after her first class, she became a certified trainer, and started teaching classes. By 2013, the demand had gotten so large that she opened her own fitness studio, and now runs it along with her full-time job.Cloutier is now getting ready for another big change — her third child.“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about gaining the weight back, because gaining weight is still scary, and having to purposely do it is scary,” she says. “But knowing the difference between a healthy pregnancy and an unhealthy pregnancy is huge.”
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Sara Cloutier: Lost 151 Lbs.
Cloutier, 36, always felt like an outsidergrowing up. She weighed 220 lbs. in high school, and never enjoyed shopping or playing sports with her friends.
“I cannot remember a time when I didn’t feel like I was the biggest girl in the group, and I hated it,” Cloutier tells PEOPLE for the 2018 Half Their Size issue. “I was always the odd one out.”
After her first pregnancy with her daughter in 2003, Cloutier hit 301 lbs., and was ready for a change. “I didn’t want to die,” she says. “I wanted to watcher grow up and give her healthy habits.” By working out with a trainer and choosing healthier meals, she successfully lost 151 lbs., and maintained a healthy weight through her second pregnancy in 2008.
As she worked to get back into a postpartum fitness routine, Cloutier discovered Zumba, and fell in love with group fitness classes. Three weeks after her first class, she became a certified trainer, and started teaching classes. By 2013, the demand had gotten so large that she opened her own fitness studio, and now runs it along with her full-time job.
Cloutier is now getting ready for another big change — her third child.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t concerned about gaining the weight back, because gaining weight is still scary, and having to purposely do it is scary,” she says. “But knowing the difference between a healthy pregnancy and an unhealthy pregnancy is huge.”
13of 49Katie Bolden: Lost 150 LbsCourtesy; Perry HagopianBetween her severe anxiety, depression and her weight — 280 lbs. at her heaviest —Bolden, 31, felt “ruined,” mentally.“I hated everything about myself, and that’s just a tough situation to be in,” shetells PEOPLE for the 2018 Half Their Size issue.Then at age 26, Bolden was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, and learned she would have trouble conceiving a child. And just a few years later, in Feb. 2013, she went partially blind in one eye, and found out she had pre-multiple sclerosis.“It lit a fire in me,” she says. “I just realized that I was just existing and wasting my life away, and it was time to do something and start living.”Bolden started tracking everything she ate on MyFitnessPal, and took up swimming, hiking and weightlifting. After three and a half years, she lost 150 lbs., and had her daughter. She also started afitness blog and Instagram, and even won a bodybuilding competition.“I look back on all the stuff I did and say, ‘Did I really do that?’ ” she admits. “As someone with such severe anxiety, to go out and do that, I know that I’ve progressed, not only physically but mentally as well.”
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Katie Bolden: Lost 150 Lbs
Between her severe anxiety, depression and her weight — 280 lbs. at her heaviest —Bolden, 31, felt “ruined,” mentally.
“I hated everything about myself, and that’s just a tough situation to be in,” shetells PEOPLE for the 2018 Half Their Size issue.
Then at age 26, Bolden was diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome, and learned she would have trouble conceiving a child. And just a few years later, in Feb. 2013, she went partially blind in one eye, and found out she had pre-multiple sclerosis.
“It lit a fire in me,” she says. “I just realized that I was just existing and wasting my life away, and it was time to do something and start living.”
Bolden started tracking everything she ate on MyFitnessPal, and took up swimming, hiking and weightlifting. After three and a half years, she lost 150 lbs., and had her daughter. She also started afitness blog and Instagram, and even won a bodybuilding competition.
“I look back on all the stuff I did and say, ‘Did I really do that?’ ” she admits. “As someone with such severe anxiety, to go out and do that, I know that I’ve progressed, not only physically but mentally as well.”
14of 49Jermaine Gause: Lost 303 Lbs. (and Counting!)Jermaine Gause/Instagram (2)Weighing in at 639 lbs.,Gause was terrified of dying.“I’m not ready to leave this planet,” he said during an appearance onThe Doctorsin Oct. 2016. “And I know the way I am now, I probably don’t have much time.”Gause was ready to make a change, and he immediately joined Live in Fitness, a residential weight loss community. There, he completely revamped his diet plan to focus on lean proteins and vegetables, and started exercising. In just over a year, he’s lost 303 lbs.“Since losing this weight, I’m like a new person,” Gause said during a return visit toThe Doctors. “Every day I wake up and I can move.”
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Jermaine Gause: Lost 303 Lbs. (and Counting!)
Jermaine Gause/Instagram (2)
Weighing in at 639 lbs.,Gause was terrified of dying.
“I’m not ready to leave this planet,” he said during an appearance onThe Doctorsin Oct. 2016. “And I know the way I am now, I probably don’t have much time.”
Gause was ready to make a change, and he immediately joined Live in Fitness, a residential weight loss community. There, he completely revamped his diet plan to focus on lean proteins and vegetables, and started exercising. In just over a year, he’s lost 303 lbs.
“Since losing this weight, I’m like a new person,” Gause said during a return visit toThe Doctors. “Every day I wake up and I can move.”
15of 49Jason Cohen: Lost 125 Lbs.Runner’s WorldJason Cohenalways struggled with his weight. At his highest, he hit nearly 300 lbs.“My entire life I always thought I would be big,” said Cohen, 33, who ran, cycled, forged a weight-loss competition with a friend, and adopted a plant-based diet to help him slim down.A big motivator to help him acheive and maintain his 125 lbs. weight loss is a private Facebook support group dubbed the “Missing Chins Run Club."“When I see other members post a 7-mile run in the Facebook group, I don’t have any excuses,” said the Lafayette, Louisana resident. “Time to lace up and get out there.”
15of 49
Jason Cohen: Lost 125 Lbs.
Runner’s World
Jason Cohenalways struggled with his weight. At his highest, he hit nearly 300 lbs.
“My entire life I always thought I would be big,” said Cohen, 33, who ran, cycled, forged a weight-loss competition with a friend, and adopted a plant-based diet to help him slim down.
A big motivator to help him acheive and maintain his 125 lbs. weight loss is a private Facebook support group dubbed the “Missing Chins Run Club.”
“When I see other members post a 7-mile run in the Facebook group, I don’t have any excuses,” said the Lafayette, Louisana resident. “Time to lace up and get out there.”
16of 49Jovana Borojevic: Lost 139 Lbs.jovanafit/InstagramAlthough she was happy and confident in her body,Jovana Borojevicwas shocked when she finally stepped on a scale.“I never in my life imagined that I would see a ‘3’ in front of my weight,” Borojevic, who hit 304 lbs. and had developed fatty liver disease from her fast food-heavy diet, all while dealing with Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, tells PEOPLE. “From this day forward, something clicked in me and I changed my life around cold turkey.”The digital marketing strategist, now 24, immediately cut out starchy carbs, refined foods, sugar and most packaged food. In a month she dropped almost 20 lbs., and started hitting the gym four to five times a week for weight training and cardio workouts.Now a year and a half into her weight loss journey, Borojevic is down to 165 lbs., with a goal weight of about 150 lbs.“It is SO IMPORTANT to focus on non-scale victories like how your clothes fit, how you feel, how many health issues you’ve reversed and saved yourself from and how happy you are!” she says.
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Jovana Borojevic: Lost 139 Lbs.
jovanafit/Instagram
Although she was happy and confident in her body,Jovana Borojevicwas shocked when she finally stepped on a scale.
“I never in my life imagined that I would see a ‘3’ in front of my weight,” Borojevic, who hit 304 lbs. and had developed fatty liver disease from her fast food-heavy diet, all while dealing with Polycystic ovary syndrome, or PCOS, tells PEOPLE. “From this day forward, something clicked in me and I changed my life around cold turkey.”
The digital marketing strategist, now 24, immediately cut out starchy carbs, refined foods, sugar and most packaged food. In a month she dropped almost 20 lbs., and started hitting the gym four to five times a week for weight training and cardio workouts.
Now a year and a half into her weight loss journey, Borojevic is down to 165 lbs., with a goal weight of about 150 lbs.
“It is SO IMPORTANT to focus on non-scale victories like how your clothes fit, how you feel, how many health issues you’ve reversed and saved yourself from and how happy you are!” she says.
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She started weightlifting, which kept her in amazing shape but pushed her weight up again, this time with muscle instead of fat. Seeing the numbers creep back up the scale caused self-doubt.
Now she’s switched from weightlifting to powerlifting, which requires extra weight, and is much happier.
18of 49Janice “JJ” Jobity: Lost 120 Lbs.From Left: Courtesy Janice Jobity; Ari MichelsonJobity was always fit growing up, but when she was mistreated in a relationship, she turned to food to cope.“I stopped caring for myself as much as I should have,” the Toronto-based finance project analyst, 36,told PEOPLE. “I was depressed. I just kind of tuned out of the world, and food became my everything.“By 2015, Jobity had hit her highest weight of 260 lbs. and started feeling excruciating stomach pain.“When I went to my doctor they explained I had a stomach ulcer, and that all those years of soda had damaged my stomach,” she said.Jobity decided to get healthy — mentally and physically. She started taking boot camp classes and sought counseling to deal with her emotional issues.What She Eats Now:Jobity cut out fried food and soda and eats a diet focused on fruits, vegetables and lean protein. “I love salad and chicken,” she said. “Salad and chicken are my everything!”Her Workouts Now:Jobity works out six days a week.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“You have to fix what’s going on inside before you can fix the outside. The mind is a powerful thing through the weight loss journey, more than anything else. A lot of weight loss is mental.”
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Janice “JJ” Jobity: Lost 120 Lbs.
From Left: Courtesy Janice Jobity; Ari Michelson
Jobity was always fit growing up, but when she was mistreated in a relationship, she turned to food to cope.
“I stopped caring for myself as much as I should have,” the Toronto-based finance project analyst, 36,told PEOPLE. “I was depressed. I just kind of tuned out of the world, and food became my everything.”
By 2015, Jobity had hit her highest weight of 260 lbs. and started feeling excruciating stomach pain.
“When I went to my doctor they explained I had a stomach ulcer, and that all those years of soda had damaged my stomach,” she said.
Jobity decided to get healthy — mentally and physically. She started taking boot camp classes and sought counseling to deal with her emotional issues.
What She Eats Now:Jobity cut out fried food and soda and eats a diet focused on fruits, vegetables and lean protein. “I love salad and chicken,” she said. “Salad and chicken are my everything!”
Her Workouts Now:Jobity works out six days a week.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“You have to fix what’s going on inside before you can fix the outside. The mind is a powerful thing through the weight loss journey, more than anything else. A lot of weight loss is mental.”
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Naomi Teeter: Lost 150 Lbs.
Naomi Teeter
She began keeping a food diary and joined a gym. Teeter, now 34, soon was physically capable of doing things she never thought possible, like running multiple half and full marathons, climbing a mountain and even sky diving. But it wasn’t until she ran a naked 5k that she learned to truly embrace her body.
“It’s not often in your life that large groups of people openly accept you and cheer for you despite what your body looks like or your physical ability,” shetold PEOPLE.
What She Eats Now:Teeter made healthy swaps for junk food and keeps track of her macronutrient intake.
Her Workouts Now:The Spokane, Washington-based health and weight loss strategy coach stays active with running, hiking and gym sessions.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Don’t stress too much about what you’re eating — instead focus on how much you’re eating. “I firmly believe that because I didn’t have strict food rules, it was easier for me to lose the weight quickly.”
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Tara Kavanagh: Lost 145 Lbs.
Courtesy Tara Kavanagh
The 5’7″ self-employed mom-of-three from Rapid City, South Dakota, 35, was already over 200 lbs. when she started having children, but herpregnancyweight brought her up to 304 lbs. After having her second child, she knew she wanted to make a change.
“I wanted to be an active mother and be able to play with my kids,” shetold PEOPLE. “I also wanted to live my life, not just exist. I wanted to experience new things and felt my size was holding me back.”
Kavanagh decided she did not want to undergo weight loss surgery after seeing relatives who ended up gaining their weight back. Instead, she focused on finding workouts she actually enjoyed and tracking what she ate.
What She Eats Now:Kavanagh focuses on eating unprocessed, non-GMO and organic as much as possible, and follows the 80/20 rule when it comes to eating. “I still need my treats once in a while!” she said.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Find a workout you won’t get bored with. “Jillian’s workouts are always fun and I look forward to doing them.”
21of 49Helen Costa-Giles: Lost 90 Lbs.Gary Giles; Geronimo RodriguezFor years, Helen Costa-Giles had no real motivation to lose some ofher 220-lb. body weight, despite concerns from her doctor. But in 2014, her yearly checkup took a somber turn when the mom of two learned that she was on track to develop chronic health problems because of her size.“My numbers were really off the charts and it scared the life out of me,” Costa-Giles, 38, tells PEOPLE. “That was exactly my turning point.”Determined, she immediately threw out all processed and preservative-filled foods, and started eating a clean diet. In just six months, with no exercise, she dropped close to 90 lbs. Costa-Giles then added weightlifting to her days, and fell in love.“My body reacted very quickly to weightlifting, and I started to lean out,” she says. “The scale wasn’t making huge differences, but the inches were changing. I kind of got obsessed because for the first time in my life, my body was actually doing what I asked it to do.”Costa-Giles now runs free exercise classes in her hometown of San Antonio at 4 a.m., four days a week, all while maintaining her full-time job in the automotive industry.“I have two kids and a full-time job,” she says. “I know many people don’t start their fitness journeys because they have too many excuses. I like to share my story because it’s so relatable.”
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Helen Costa-Giles: Lost 90 Lbs.
Gary Giles; Geronimo Rodriguez
For years, Helen Costa-Giles had no real motivation to lose some ofher 220-lb. body weight, despite concerns from her doctor. But in 2014, her yearly checkup took a somber turn when the mom of two learned that she was on track to develop chronic health problems because of her size.
“My numbers were really off the charts and it scared the life out of me,” Costa-Giles, 38, tells PEOPLE. “That was exactly my turning point.”
Determined, she immediately threw out all processed and preservative-filled foods, and started eating a clean diet. In just six months, with no exercise, she dropped close to 90 lbs. Costa-Giles then added weightlifting to her days, and fell in love.
“My body reacted very quickly to weightlifting, and I started to lean out,” she says. “The scale wasn’t making huge differences, but the inches were changing. I kind of got obsessed because for the first time in my life, my body was actually doing what I asked it to do.”
Costa-Giles now runs free exercise classes in her hometown of San Antonio at 4 a.m., four days a week, all while maintaining her full-time job in the automotive industry.
“I have two kids and a full-time job,” she says. “I know many people don’t start their fitness journeys because they have too many excuses. I like to share my story because it’s so relatable.”
22of 49Dustin LaJaunie: Lost 150 Lbs.Runner’s WorldDustin LaJauniehas come along way from the 425 lbs. he weighed five years ago.Now, he’s lost 150 lbs. and counting with the help of his younger brother Josh LaJaunie, who started the private Facebook support group called “Missing Chins Run Club.“The group is a safe place for people to share their stories and struggles and to motivate one another to lose the weight.Eating plan-based and running alongside his brother, Dustin compares the Missing Chins to the trips he and his brother used to take when going hunting. “But instead of gathering to go take life, we’re coming together to gain life.”
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Dustin LaJaunie: Lost 150 Lbs.
Dustin LaJauniehas come along way from the 425 lbs. he weighed five years ago.
Now, he’s lost 150 lbs. and counting with the help of his younger brother Josh LaJaunie, who started the private Facebook support group called “Missing Chins Run Club.”
The group is a safe place for people to share their stories and struggles and to motivate one another to lose the weight.
Eating plan-based and running alongside his brother, Dustin compares the Missing Chins to the trips he and his brother used to take when going hunting. “But instead of gathering to go take life, we’re coming together to gain life.”
23of 49Marie Byrne: Lost 70 Lbs.Courtesy Marie Byrne (2)The Gloucester, U.K.-based nursery manager, 42, was a longtime emotional eater who found herself reaching a high weight of 223 lbs. at only 5'3″.“My blood pressure was through the roof,” shetold PEOPLE. “The doctor said that I was a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen. My mum had a stroke very young, and it scared us as a family. I didn’t want to put my family through the same thing, so knew I had to do something.”Byrne credits doing at-home Jillian Michaels workouts and decreasing her portion sizes with helping her drop 70 lbs. She also says having a partner with Parkinson’s disease inspired her to get her health on track.“When we first got together he was going to Pilates and would walk his dog three times a day,” she said. “He was way more active than me. What excuse did I have not to exercise when he didn’t make any excuses?”What She Eats Now:Byrne counts calories and makes sure she eats three healthy meals each day.Her Workouts Now:She continues to do Jillian Michaels workouts every morning at 5 a.m. before starting her day.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Stick to your workout plan, even when you don’t feel like it! “Sometimes I’m so tired, but once I get into my own head, I push on regardless of how my body feels.”
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Marie Byrne: Lost 70 Lbs.
Courtesy Marie Byrne (2)
The Gloucester, U.K.-based nursery manager, 42, was a longtime emotional eater who found herself reaching a high weight of 223 lbs. at only 5'3″.
“My blood pressure was through the roof,” shetold PEOPLE. “The doctor said that I was a heart attack or stroke waiting to happen. My mum had a stroke very young, and it scared us as a family. I didn’t want to put my family through the same thing, so knew I had to do something.”
Byrne credits doing at-home Jillian Michaels workouts and decreasing her portion sizes with helping her drop 70 lbs. She also says having a partner with Parkinson’s disease inspired her to get her health on track.
“When we first got together he was going to Pilates and would walk his dog three times a day,” she said. “He was way more active than me. What excuse did I have not to exercise when he didn’t make any excuses?”
What She Eats Now:Byrne counts calories and makes sure she eats three healthy meals each day.
Her Workouts Now:She continues to do Jillian Michaels workouts every morning at 5 a.m. before starting her day.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Stick to your workout plan, even when you don’t feel like it! “Sometimes I’m so tired, but once I get into my own head, I push on regardless of how my body feels.”
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Brittany Greenslit: Lost 109 Lbs.
Brittany Greenslit
After complications from her c-section left her depressed, Greenslit, now 27, started walking and doing Pilates and yoga to help lift her mood. As soon as she was well enough, she began doingJillian Michaels’workout DVDs.
“No matter how sore I was after the workouts, I always showed up the next day ready for more,” Greenslittold PEOPLE. “Her saying ‘Unless you faint, puke or die, keep going!’ became my motto.”
What She Eats Now:Greenslit eats lots of fruits, veggies and protein. If she goes out, she orders a chicken salad instead of her former go-to order of a cheeseburger and French fries.
Her Workouts Now:The St. Cloud, Minnesota-based mom-of-two mixes up Jillian Michaels workout DVDs and running.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“When I’m challenged, I don’t back down.”
25of 49Alicia Steele: Dropped from Size 10 to 2Courtesy Alicia Steele (2)The longtime on-air host gained weight when she went through menopause.“I thought gaining weight and feeling less active as we reached our 50s and 60s (especially after menopause) was just the way it was,” Steele, 59,told PEOPLE.She got inspired to lose weight whenT-Tapp Methodcreator Teresa Tapp appeard on a PBS show she was hosting, and decided to give her DVDs a try.Steele dropped four dress sizes using the program, and has kept the weight off for five years.What She Eats Now:Steele “completely changed” her eating habits, and now eats “lots of colorful, fresh food.”Her Workouts Now:She spends 15 to 20 minutes each day doing a workout from the T-Tapp DVDs.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Try dry brushing. “This helps with exfoliation, detoxification and improving circulation, which improves fascia fitness.”
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Alicia Steele: Dropped from Size 10 to 2
Courtesy Alicia Steele (2)
The longtime on-air host gained weight when she went through menopause.
“I thought gaining weight and feeling less active as we reached our 50s and 60s (especially after menopause) was just the way it was,” Steele, 59,told PEOPLE.
She got inspired to lose weight whenT-Tapp Methodcreator Teresa Tapp appeard on a PBS show she was hosting, and decided to give her DVDs a try.
Steele dropped four dress sizes using the program, and has kept the weight off for five years.
What She Eats Now:Steele “completely changed” her eating habits, and now eats “lots of colorful, fresh food.”
Her Workouts Now:She spends 15 to 20 minutes each day doing a workout from the T-Tapp DVDs.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Try dry brushing. “This helps with exfoliation, detoxification and improving circulation, which improves fascia fitness.”
26of 49Megan McGee: Lost 70 Lbs.Slimming WorldMcGee began gaining weight when she got into an unhealthy relationship and stopped spending time with friends or going to the gym. After getting out of the relationship, she decided it was time to make a change — especially since she worked in the health profession.“As a nurse, I wanted to be the healthiest version of myself that I could be,” shetold PEOPLE. “I didn’t want to be a walking contradiction to my patients, promoting healthy living but not being healthy myself.”The Middlesex, England-based nurse, 26, decided to join Slimming World to take control of her health.What She Eats Now:McGee went from skipping meals and snacking throughout the day to sticking to set meal times. “I eat a lot of the same meals as before, but I’ve learned how to make them differently so they’re healthier, like using lean meat and making sauces from scratch.“Her Workouts Now:McGee loves group exercise classes and also regularly meets with a personal trainer.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Don’t be afraid to make a change. “There is nothing to lose and so much life to gain.”
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Megan McGee: Lost 70 Lbs.
Slimming World
McGee began gaining weight when she got into an unhealthy relationship and stopped spending time with friends or going to the gym. After getting out of the relationship, she decided it was time to make a change — especially since she worked in the health profession.
“As a nurse, I wanted to be the healthiest version of myself that I could be,” shetold PEOPLE. “I didn’t want to be a walking contradiction to my patients, promoting healthy living but not being healthy myself.”
The Middlesex, England-based nurse, 26, decided to join Slimming World to take control of her health.
What She Eats Now:McGee went from skipping meals and snacking throughout the day to sticking to set meal times. “I eat a lot of the same meals as before, but I’ve learned how to make them differently so they’re healthier, like using lean meat and making sauces from scratch.”
Her Workouts Now:McGee loves group exercise classes and also regularly meets with a personal trainer.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Don’t be afraid to make a change. “There is nothing to lose and so much life to gain.”
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Hannah Jenkins: Lost 107 Lbs.
From Left: Courtesy Dana Khalaf; Ari Michelson
“The turning point for me was meeting so many new people and realizing ‘Wow, I’m really actually very uncomfortable,’ ” the Knoxville, Tennessee, resident says.
She started her weight loss journey on New Years’ Day 2013.
Her Workouts Now:She does an hour of cardio a day plus strength training three days a week.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“I used My Fitness Pal app to log my food, workouts and all the water I drank.”
28of 49Sarah Goodenough: Lost 158 Lbs.From Left: Courtesy Sarah Goodenough; Ari MichelsonAt 299 lbs., Sarah Goodenough struggled with the physical demands of her job as a nurse, and experienced severe body pains and asthma.“I thought that was going to be the norm for the rest of my life,” Goodenough, 30,told PEOPLE.Then she read a book calledThe China Studyabout the merits of a plant-based diet, and cut dairy and processed meat out of her diet. In a year she lost the majority of her weight through changes to her eating habits alone.What She Eats Now:Goodenough sticks to a vegan diet.Her Workouts Now:The Rochester, N.Y.-based nurse runs five to seven miles every day and also lifts weights.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Get creative with your meals. “[Sticking to a vegan diet] became fun because I was trying new different recipes, and everything tasted different so it was cool and fun.”
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Sarah Goodenough: Lost 158 Lbs.
From Left: Courtesy Sarah Goodenough; Ari Michelson
At 299 lbs., Sarah Goodenough struggled with the physical demands of her job as a nurse, and experienced severe body pains and asthma.
“I thought that was going to be the norm for the rest of my life,” Goodenough, 30,told PEOPLE.
Then she read a book calledThe China Studyabout the merits of a plant-based diet, and cut dairy and processed meat out of her diet. In a year she lost the majority of her weight through changes to her eating habits alone.
What She Eats Now:Goodenough sticks to a vegan diet.
Her Workouts Now:The Rochester, N.Y.-based nurse runs five to seven miles every day and also lifts weights.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Get creative with your meals. “[Sticking to a vegan diet] became fun because I was trying new different recipes, and everything tasted different so it was cool and fun.”
29of 49Nathan & Brenda Bennett: Lost 130 & 131 Lbs.Courtesy Brenda & Nathan BennettIn 2014, husband and wife Nathan, 45, and Brenda Bennett both found themselves struggling with their weight even though they led active lifestyles.“We weren’t eating healthy at home, so it didn’t translate into weight loss success,” Brenda, 42,told PEOPLE.The Bennetts cut out sugar and processed foods from their family meals, and began using My Fitness Pal to track their calories and exercise.What They Eat Now:The couple focuses on clean eating and portion control.Their Workouts Now:They both aim to work out six days a week, and turn their fitness sessions into a “friendly competition,” says BrendaTheir Best Weight Loss Tip:Find an accountability partner. “It was a big help to cheer each other on and not let the other person run down to the convenience store and cheat with whatever you can get your hands on,” says Brenda. “We keep each other strong.”
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Nathan & Brenda Bennett: Lost 130 & 131 Lbs.
Courtesy Brenda & Nathan Bennett
In 2014, husband and wife Nathan, 45, and Brenda Bennett both found themselves struggling with their weight even though they led active lifestyles.
“We weren’t eating healthy at home, so it didn’t translate into weight loss success,” Brenda, 42,told PEOPLE.
The Bennetts cut out sugar and processed foods from their family meals, and began using My Fitness Pal to track their calories and exercise.
What They Eat Now:The couple focuses on clean eating and portion control.
Their Workouts Now:They both aim to work out six days a week, and turn their fitness sessions into a “friendly competition,” says Brenda
Their Best Weight Loss Tip:Find an accountability partner. “It was a big help to cheer each other on and not let the other person run down to the convenience store and cheat with whatever you can get your hands on,” says Brenda. “We keep each other strong.”
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Jessica Battle: Lost 115 Lbs.
From Left: Courtesy Jessica Battle;
“Learning that health issues ran in my family scared me,” Battle, now 30,told PEOPLE. “I knew that doing some form of movement in my living room was better than nothing, so I went to my local superstore and bought workout DVDs.”
She also began eating smaller portion sizes, and started an Instagram account,@join_jessica_xo, to help hold herself accountable.
What She Eats Now:Battle sticks to eating mostly vegetables, fruits and protein, and counts the amount of protein, fats and carbohydrates she eats every day.
Her Workouts Now:Battle does weight training workout DVDs at home.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:Make gradual changes. “Instead of eating an entire frozen pizza, I ate one slice of frozen pizza. For me, I knew that jumping right into eating only vegetables, fruit and lean proteins wasn’t going to work.”
31of 49Karyl Mullins: Lost 100 Lbs.Courtesy Karyl Mullins; Ari MichelsonWhen Mullins, 38, moved back to her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, the dog groomer quickly gained 100 lbs. thanks to family gatherings that revolved around Southern cooking.At 34, Mullins was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. “I was worried about leaving my family behind,” shetold PEOPLE. She joined Weight Watchers to take control of her health.What She Eats Now:Mullins eats small portions to stay within her Weight Watchers parameters.Her Workouts Now:She takes kickboxing classes and has run a marathon.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“I take collapsible measuring cups in my purse. It keeps me accountable.”
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Karyl Mullins: Lost 100 Lbs.
Courtesy Karyl Mullins; Ari Michelson
When Mullins, 38, moved back to her hometown of Lexington, Kentucky, the dog groomer quickly gained 100 lbs. thanks to family gatherings that revolved around Southern cooking.
At 34, Mullins was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. “I was worried about leaving my family behind,” shetold PEOPLE. She joined Weight Watchers to take control of her health.
What She Eats Now:Mullins eats small portions to stay within her Weight Watchers parameters.
Her Workouts Now:She takes kickboxing classes and has run a marathon.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“I take collapsible measuring cups in my purse. It keeps me accountable.”
32of 49Rebecca Grafton: Lost 104 Lbs.Courtesy Rebecca Grafton; Ari MichelsonThe insurance saleswoman, 25, shot up to 246 lbs. after spending a pastry-filled semester studying abroad in France during college, and continued to eat lots of baked goods after graduating.In January 2013, she booked a trip to Jamaica and decided she wanted to lose weight so she wouldn’t be self-conscious about how she looked in a bathing suit.“I hit the ground running,” shetold PEOPLE. “I used the app My Fitness Pal on my phone, and I plugged in how much weight I wanted to lose and how fast I wanted to lose it. They gave me a calorie target, and I followed it. I literally had to reteach myself to cook.”What She Eats Now:She makes sure she gets enough protein and limits her carbs, but still allows herself wine on weekends.Her Workouts Now:Grafton works out every day doing a mix of cardio and weights. Her favorite piece of exercise equipment is the StairMaster.Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“Don’t give yourself the option to give up. If you usually slip on the weekend, commit to a Monday morning workout.”
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Rebecca Grafton: Lost 104 Lbs.
Courtesy Rebecca Grafton; Ari Michelson
The insurance saleswoman, 25, shot up to 246 lbs. after spending a pastry-filled semester studying abroad in France during college, and continued to eat lots of baked goods after graduating.
In January 2013, she booked a trip to Jamaica and decided she wanted to lose weight so she wouldn’t be self-conscious about how she looked in a bathing suit.
“I hit the ground running,” shetold PEOPLE. “I used the app My Fitness Pal on my phone, and I plugged in how much weight I wanted to lose and how fast I wanted to lose it. They gave me a calorie target, and I followed it. I literally had to reteach myself to cook.”
What She Eats Now:She makes sure she gets enough protein and limits her carbs, but still allows herself wine on weekends.
Her Workouts Now:Grafton works out every day doing a mix of cardio and weights. Her favorite piece of exercise equipment is the StairMaster.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“Don’t give yourself the option to give up. If you usually slip on the weekend, commit to a Monday morning workout.”
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Mackenzie Walker: Lost 102 Lbs.
Courtesy Mackenzie Walker; Ari Michelson
She also used Instagram to find weight loss tips. “It turns out I wasn’t eating enough protein and needed to lift weights to gain muscle,“said Walker, who now has a self-published memoir and offers online weight-loss coaching.
What She Eats Now:Walker tracks her proteins, fats and carbs — and still drinks diet soda to curb cravings.
Her Workouts Now:The teen uses strength training to stay toned.
Her Best Weight Loss Tip:“Be willing to ask for help. I learned proper exercise just from asking people in the gym and on social media.”
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Jana Roller: Lost 135 Lbs.
Jana Roller/Instagram; Ramirez Creative
The professional photographer, 29 — who weighed 307 lbs. at her highest — decided to lose weight after a traumatic incident.
Rollerdecided to take up bodybuilding, and trained for two years for her first competition. Her prep involved 5 a.m. workouts and a strict meal plan.
“When I look at [photos from the competition], I see the progress that I’ve made, but also I can see what I can do to improve in terms of where I want to take myself in competition,” she said. “Bodybuilding is amazing because you get sculpt and define yourself, and mold yourself into the person you know you’ve always been.”
35of 49Jeanine McDonald: Lost 77 Lbs.The mom-of-four, 39, fell into unhealthy eating habits after having kids.“I made dinner for the boys and ate what they ate,” shetold PEOPLE. “I did not take the time to prepare healthy dinners, as it’s very hard when you’re a full-time employee and mother of four.”When one of her sons told her she looked “really fat,” she decided she needed to start making health a priority. On nights she has a sitter, McDonald hits the gym, and on other nights she does workouts at home once her kids are asleep.“When I started going to the gym, I made a promise to myself: ‘If I’m not happy and healthy, my kids won’t be either,' " she said.
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Jeanine McDonald: Lost 77 Lbs.
The mom-of-four, 39, fell into unhealthy eating habits after having kids.
“I made dinner for the boys and ate what they ate,” shetold PEOPLE. “I did not take the time to prepare healthy dinners, as it’s very hard when you’re a full-time employee and mother of four.”
When one of her sons told her she looked “really fat,” she decided she needed to start making health a priority. On nights she has a sitter, McDonald hits the gym, and on other nights she does workouts at home once her kids are asleep.
“When I started going to the gym, I made a promise to myself: ‘If I’m not happy and healthy, my kids won’t be either,' " she said.
36of 49Tim Kaufman: Lost 200 Lbs.Runner’s WorldThanks to running and a vegan diet,Tim Kaufmanhas gotten a grip on his health and even weaned himself off an addiction to painkillers.Once weighing over 400 lbs., the Alden, New York resident has shed 200 lbs. and become part of what he calls s “tight knit group” dubbed “The Missing Chins Run Club.” The private Facebook group allows members to share weight loss struggles and motivate each other in a safe space.“It’s so cool to see new guys come in,” Kaufman said. “It takes you back and makes you appreciate the struggle.”
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Tim Kaufman: Lost 200 Lbs.
Thanks to running and a vegan diet,Tim Kaufmanhas gotten a grip on his health and even weaned himself off an addiction to painkillers.
Once weighing over 400 lbs., the Alden, New York resident has shed 200 lbs. and become part of what he calls s “tight knit group” dubbed “The Missing Chins Run Club.” The private Facebook group allows members to share weight loss struggles and motivate each other in a safe space.
“It’s so cool to see new guys come in,” Kaufman said. “It takes you back and makes you appreciate the struggle.”
37of 49Vanetza Cines: Lost 26 Lbs.Vanetza Cine/Bodybuilding.comThe military officer, 29, took upbodybuilding to be an inspiration to her troops.“I was supposed to be a leader of soldiers, and I could barely pass the Army physical test,” Cines — who weighed 200 lbs. at her highest — told PEOPLE. “I was embarrassed. My soldiers looked up to me and I had to counsel them when they couldn’t meet the standards, and yet I myself couldn’t meet the standards. I just felt like a hypocrite and a fake.”In December 2015, Cines read about aBodybuilding.comchallenge and decided to take part in it. She started working out three times a day and saw real changes in her body for the first time.“A lot of people think getting in shape is getting a six-pack, but that’s not what it’s about,” she says. “The best part of getting in shape is the self-confidence and my overall outlook on life.”
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Vanetza Cines: Lost 26 Lbs.
Vanetza Cine/Bodybuilding.com
The military officer, 29, took upbodybuilding to be an inspiration to her troops.
“I was supposed to be a leader of soldiers, and I could barely pass the Army physical test,” Cines — who weighed 200 lbs. at her highest — told PEOPLE. “I was embarrassed. My soldiers looked up to me and I had to counsel them when they couldn’t meet the standards, and yet I myself couldn’t meet the standards. I just felt like a hypocrite and a fake.”
In December 2015, Cines read about aBodybuilding.comchallenge and decided to take part in it. She started working out three times a day and saw real changes in her body for the first time.
“A lot of people think getting in shape is getting a six-pack, but that’s not what it’s about,” she says. “The best part of getting in shape is the self-confidence and my overall outlook on life.”
38of 49Erika Cockrell: Lost 167 Lbs.Dennis Cockrell; Randi BerezCockrell, 30, had struggled with her weight since high school and “used food as an emotional pick-me-up” through the years as she dealt with her parents' divorce and problems with her own marriage.When Cockrell reached 309 lbs., she decided to turn her life around and used My Fitness Pal to log her food intake.“I’m a firm believer in finding what works for you. For me it was all calories in, calories out,” Cockrell told PEOPLE in the 2017Half Their Sizeissue.“It’s like a eureka moment where you’re like, ‘Icando this.' "
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Erika Cockrell: Lost 167 Lbs.
Dennis Cockrell; Randi Berez
Cockrell, 30, had struggled with her weight since high school and “used food as an emotional pick-me-up” through the years as she dealt with her parents' divorce and problems with her own marriage.
When Cockrell reached 309 lbs., she decided to turn her life around and used My Fitness Pal to log her food intake.
“I’m a firm believer in finding what works for you. For me it was all calories in, calories out,” Cockrell told PEOPLE in the 2017Half Their Sizeissue.“It’s like a eureka moment where you’re like, ‘Icando this.' "
39of 49Joanne Raymond: Lost 133 Lbs.Courtesy Joanne Raymond; Randi BerezRaymond, 49, hadlost 100 lbs. twice beforeshe decided she was finally going to keep the weight off for good.The Allentown, Pennsylvania-based real estate agent realized that her yo-yo dieting was not only negatively affecting her self-esteem, but also her health. In 2013, she started feeling sick all the time — she had constant headaches, trouble sleeping and pain in her knees. Her doctor told her all her problems were weight-related.Raymond — who weighed 249 lbs. at her highest weight — decided to overhaul her bad eating habits, replacing pasta with spiralized zucchini squash and Chinese takeout with healthy homemade chicken and broccoli.“Even though I’ll be 50 in May, my body is the best it has been in my entire adult life,” she told PEOPLE in the 2017Half Their Sizeissue. “I’m so proud.”
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Joanne Raymond: Lost 133 Lbs.
Courtesy Joanne Raymond; Randi Berez
Raymond, 49, hadlost 100 lbs. twice beforeshe decided she was finally going to keep the weight off for good.
The Allentown, Pennsylvania-based real estate agent realized that her yo-yo dieting was not only negatively affecting her self-esteem, but also her health. In 2013, she started feeling sick all the time — she had constant headaches, trouble sleeping and pain in her knees. Her doctor told her all her problems were weight-related.
Raymond — who weighed 249 lbs. at her highest weight — decided to overhaul her bad eating habits, replacing pasta with spiralized zucchini squash and Chinese takeout with healthy homemade chicken and broccoli.
“Even though I’ll be 50 in May, my body is the best it has been in my entire adult life,” she told PEOPLE in the 2017Half Their Sizeissue. “I’m so proud.”
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Christina Jordan: Lost 134 Lbs.
Courtesy Christina Jordan; Randi Berez
Jordan, 34, hit her low point when she waskicked off a Disneyland rideafter being unable to buckle the seatbelt.
“I started reading everything I could find on holistic nutrition,” the mom-of-three said in PEOPLE’s 2017Half Their Sizeissue. “I decided to stop stressing about being skinny, and just focus on being healthy — wherever my body decided to take me.”
Jordan — who weighed 271 lbs. at her heaviest — began eating five to six meals a day that each include a lean protein, a complex carbohydrate and a healthy fat.
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Diana Anguh: Lost 140 Lbs.
Courtesy Diana Anguh; Randi Berez
Anguh’sfast food habitslead her to reach 275 lbs. when she was in high school.
After being dateless at prom, Anguh decided to start working out, and hit the gym every day. She also began cooking her own meals rather than binging on fast food. After 16 months of hard work, Anguh hit her goal weight of 135 lbs.
“My life has drastically changed — I feel like I’m more confident in going for what I want.”
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Lindita Halimi: Lost 130 Lbs.
Courtesy Lindita Halimi; Randi Berez
The singer reached 250 lbs. between the ages of 17 and 20, and was bullied for her weight, with classmates calling her an elephant. When a woman on the bus mistook Halimi for a pregnant person, she decided she needed to lose weight.
43of 49Adrienne Osuna: Lost 2 Lbs. (and Gained Muscle!)Source: Adrienne Osuna/InstagramOsuna is proof that physical transformations don’t always correlate with the number on the scale.“Women should go based on how they feel and look,” the Santa Maria, California-based photographertold PEOPLE. “Freedom from the scale is so liberating!”Osuna — who weighed 182 lbs. at her highest and now weighs 180 lbs. — weight lifts four days a week and only does cardio twice a week. She also practices intermittent fasting, which means she does not eat from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. six days a week, although she does allow herself coffee with cream in the morning.“I finally decided I was going to focus on what my body could do and what it’s capable of instead of what it weighed,” she said.
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Adrienne Osuna: Lost 2 Lbs. (and Gained Muscle!)
Source: Adrienne Osuna/Instagram
Osuna is proof that physical transformations don’t always correlate with the number on the scale.
“Women should go based on how they feel and look,” the Santa Maria, California-based photographertold PEOPLE. “Freedom from the scale is so liberating!”
Osuna — who weighed 182 lbs. at her highest and now weighs 180 lbs. — weight lifts four days a week and only does cardio twice a week. She also practices intermittent fasting, which means she does not eat from 7 p.m. to 11 a.m. six days a week, although she does allow herself coffee with cream in the morning.
“I finally decided I was going to focus on what my body could do and what it’s capable of instead of what it weighed,” she said.
44of 49Michael Lachowicz: Lost 194 Lbs.Rebecca Kussmann; Robin Subar PhotographyThe professional chef hit 432 lbs. thanks to acombination of unhealthy lifestyle factors.“My addiction is food, booze and narcotics,” Lachowicz, 46, told PEOPLE in the 2017Half Their Sizeissue. “Everything worked in tandem. Drugs and alcohol reduced my inhibitions, so I didn’t have a lot of remorse about eating ridiculous amounts of food.”Entering rehab and getting sober was an essential part of his weight loss journey. Lachowicz now works out six days a week and sticks to 1,800 to 1,900 calories per day.
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Michael Lachowicz: Lost 194 Lbs.
Rebecca Kussmann; Robin Subar Photography
The professional chef hit 432 lbs. thanks to acombination of unhealthy lifestyle factors.
“My addiction is food, booze and narcotics,” Lachowicz, 46, told PEOPLE in the 2017Half Their Sizeissue. “Everything worked in tandem. Drugs and alcohol reduced my inhibitions, so I didn’t have a lot of remorse about eating ridiculous amounts of food.”
Entering rehab and getting sober was an essential part of his weight loss journey. Lachowicz now works out six days a week and sticks to 1,800 to 1,900 calories per day.
45of 49Justin Lacy: Lost 290 Lbs.Runner’s WorldAt over 500 lbs.,Justin Lacyhad a wake up call when his mother had a stroke three years ago.“I thought, wow, I’m extremely selfish,” said Lacy, 32. “Soon my family’s going to be crying around my hospital bed.“So the Dexter, Missouri resident took up a plant-based diet, cycling and running to bring his weight down 290 lbs.He also became a member of the private Facebook group, “Missing Chins Run Club,” a place where people can swap weight loss stores and struggles.Now, Lacy is training for marathons.
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Justin Lacy: Lost 290 Lbs.
At over 500 lbs.,Justin Lacyhad a wake up call when his mother had a stroke three years ago.
“I thought, wow, I’m extremely selfish,” said Lacy, 32. “Soon my family’s going to be crying around my hospital bed.”
So the Dexter, Missouri resident took up a plant-based diet, cycling and running to bring his weight down 290 lbs.
He also became a member of the private Facebook group, “Missing Chins Run Club,” a place where people can swap weight loss stores and struggles.
Now, Lacy is training for marathons.
46of 49Kim Carter Martinez: Lost 170 Lbs.Source: Kim Carter Martinez/InstagramWhenCarter Martinezhit her highest weight of 344 lbs., her mobility became limited not only because of her weight, but because of her struggle with arthritis. In order to be eligible for knee replacement surgery to help alleviate her arthritis pain, the Oakland, California-based labor union employee was told she needed to lose 50 lbs.Carter Martinez, 41, made “a lot of small changes” to lose the weight, like giving up Starbucks and cooking more meals at home. Eventually, she began following a paleo diet, and progressed from doing Richard Simmons videos in her garage to going to the gym daily.“Life was really hard before — there were so many times that I had to say no to social situations because I couldn’t walk around, but now I don’t have to say no to things anymore,” she told PEOPLE. “I can pick what I want to do and be able to do it.”
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Kim Carter Martinez: Lost 170 Lbs.
Source: Kim Carter Martinez/Instagram
WhenCarter Martinezhit her highest weight of 344 lbs., her mobility became limited not only because of her weight, but because of her struggle with arthritis. In order to be eligible for knee replacement surgery to help alleviate her arthritis pain, the Oakland, California-based labor union employee was told she needed to lose 50 lbs.
Carter Martinez, 41, made “a lot of small changes” to lose the weight, like giving up Starbucks and cooking more meals at home. Eventually, she began following a paleo diet, and progressed from doing Richard Simmons videos in her garage to going to the gym daily.
“Life was really hard before — there were so many times that I had to say no to social situations because I couldn’t walk around, but now I don’t have to say no to things anymore,” she told PEOPLE. “I can pick what I want to do and be able to do it.”
47of 49Emily Powers: Lost 120 Lbs.Lose It!Powers, 24, was inspired to get healthy for her three children.“They deserved more,” the daycare worker who was 273 lbs. at her highest weighttold PEOPLE. “I could barely even take my kids for a walk. At the park, I’d sit on the bench and watch them rather than play with them.”Powers began logging her food intake using theLose It!app, and says it helped keep her accountable. Now she eats a lot of lean meats and vegetables, and works out three times a week.“I like that my kids are used to hearing ‘yes’ a lot more,” said Powers. “Before, I could never take them to the park and run around with them and be the mom that I wanted to be. Now there’s no limitations.”
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Emily Powers: Lost 120 Lbs.
Lose It!
Powers, 24, was inspired to get healthy for her three children.
“They deserved more,” the daycare worker who was 273 lbs. at her highest weighttold PEOPLE. “I could barely even take my kids for a walk. At the park, I’d sit on the bench and watch them rather than play with them.”
Powers began logging her food intake using theLose It!app, and says it helped keep her accountable. Now she eats a lot of lean meats and vegetables, and works out three times a week.
“I like that my kids are used to hearing ‘yes’ a lot more,” said Powers. “Before, I could never take them to the park and run around with them and be the mom that I wanted to be. Now there’s no limitations.”
48of 49Peggy Pullen: Lost 80 Lbs.Peggy PullenPullen, 48, first put on weight due to medical complications stemming from her first pregnancy, but it wasn’t until a boy at a local pool called her a hippopotamus in front of her whole family that she felt inspired to lose weight.“It was in front of my children,” shetold PEOPLE. “It was horrible. I went home and cried a lot, but I realized kids learn from what you do, not what you say — and that’s what kept me pushing.”Pullen decided to try bodybuilding, and turned toArnold Schwarzeneggerfor her inspiration.“I started watching some of his motivational videos and using his workout videos,” she said. “It really helped me because there were so many times that I thought, I can’t do this, it’s too hard.”Now she works out six days a week. “I’ll be 49 this year, and I feel like I look a lot younger. It’s the secret of youth!”
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Peggy Pullen: Lost 80 Lbs.
Peggy Pullen
Pullen, 48, first put on weight due to medical complications stemming from her first pregnancy, but it wasn’t until a boy at a local pool called her a hippopotamus in front of her whole family that she felt inspired to lose weight.
“It was in front of my children,” shetold PEOPLE. “It was horrible. I went home and cried a lot, but I realized kids learn from what you do, not what you say — and that’s what kept me pushing.”
Pullen decided to try bodybuilding, and turned toArnold Schwarzeneggerfor her inspiration.
“I started watching some of his motivational videos and using his workout videos,” she said. “It really helped me because there were so many times that I thought, I can’t do this, it’s too hard.”
Now she works out six days a week. “I’ll be 49 this year, and I feel like I look a lot younger. It’s the secret of youth!”
49of 49Katie Hug: Lost 130 Lbs.Katie Hug; Joe JaszewskiHug had reached a high weight of 270 lbs. in 2012, but it wasn’t until her doctor told her that she was morbidly obese that it hit her that her health was at risk.To lose weight and get healthy, Hug, now 34, began tracking her food intake and became more aware of how much sugar, fat and carbs she was consuming. But the biggest change in her lifestyle came from discovering her love offitness.“[When I was heavier] I didn’t find any joy in it, it wasn’t fun for me,” shetold PEOPLE.Now she does cardio five days a week and strength training two to three days a week, and even teaches fitness classes as a certified personal trainer.“You start to feel that serotonin and dopamine and all that from exercise, and I didn’t have that before,” she said of learning to love working out. “I used that as the outlet for stress, anxiety, depression. That made a huge difference.”
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Katie Hug: Lost 130 Lbs.
Katie Hug; Joe Jaszewski
Hug had reached a high weight of 270 lbs. in 2012, but it wasn’t until her doctor told her that she was morbidly obese that it hit her that her health was at risk.
To lose weight and get healthy, Hug, now 34, began tracking her food intake and became more aware of how much sugar, fat and carbs she was consuming. But the biggest change in her lifestyle came from discovering her love offitness.
“[When I was heavier] I didn’t find any joy in it, it wasn’t fun for me,” shetold PEOPLE.
Now she does cardio five days a week and strength training two to three days a week, and even teaches fitness classes as a certified personal trainer.
“You start to feel that serotonin and dopamine and all that from exercise, and I didn’t have that before,” she said of learning to love working out. “I used that as the outlet for stress, anxiety, depression. That made a huge difference.”
source: people.com
