Subtle Changes

"I didn't realize I was losing weight until I noticed my clothes were loose on me, even my shoes. I was becoming a new person."

Confident & Fit

"I didn't take the initiative to get healthy until my aunt underwent open-heart surgery and I realized I could be the next one on that operating table."

In Shape & In Place

"Taking it slow would not only be healthier for me, but would also ensure the weight would stay off for good."

Focusing on Fitness

"Writing down my fitness goals was the key to my success. Whenever I felt unmotivated to exercise, seeing my goals in writing inspired me to keep going."

100 Percent Committed

"Inspired by a friend who'd lost 30 pounds, I realized I, too, could lose my excess weight. For the first time, I was committed to something 100 percent."

A Healthy Road

"As the pounds came off. I saw the curves of my figure and had positive thoughts about my body for the first time in a long time."

Breathing Freely

"I lost two things I had focused much of my energy on - my job and my fiance - so I made losing weight the new focus of my life."

Fit and Free

"Once I realized it was my choice to remain trapped by my weight, I decided to free myself by simply applying movement to my life."

Total Body Balance

"I'm in better shape living with multiple sclerosis than when I was overweight at 240 pounds."

Just Right

"I found out that I have more energy and work out better when I exercise less."

Proper Mind Set

"I could easily lose an additional pound a week by walking three or four times a week."

Fit & Focused

"I realized I didn't want to spend an hour working out, only to push my progress back by eating a high-fat meal."

A New Start

"Weight loss required healthful eating and regular exercise. For the first time in my life, someone told me what to do."

Positive Direction

"After a month of healthy habits, my legs were more muscular and my face was thinner."

Setting New Priorities

"My new job required me to help others learn how to live healthfully, but how could I do that if I wasn't healthy myself?"

Day by Day

"I tracked my progress on a calendar, and a year later, I was 70 pounds lighter."

Breaking the cycle of dieting

"I kept a food journal and realized I often ate out of habit and I wasn't always hungry."

Healing Feelings

"Instead of turning to food, I manage my emotions by talking to family or friends."

Center of Attention

"Having to walk down the aisle with four other bridesmaids was incentive enough to start making changes."

Reality Check

"I realized I had to exercise if I wanted to lose weight; lowfat eating alone wasn't going to be enough."

Less Is More

"I realized I was doing my body more harm than good when I exercised too much."

Mind over matter

"I ate slowly and enjoyed every morsel instead of mindlessly scarfing food down."

One Step At A Time

An unhappy marriage caused one shape reader to gain 90 pounds. here's how she shed the extra weight and is now happier than ever.

A Perfect Fit

"After losing 95 pounds, I no longer have to buy my clothes from the plus-size section of department stores."

Putting Priorities in Order

"I realized I needed to put my health and well-being on my 'to-do' list too."

Thrill of Victory

"Losing 80 pounds has been one of the toughest battles of my life, but with regular exercise and the right diet, I've won."

A Brand-New Me

"I'm now a poster child for exercise. I encourage anyone who is unhappy to get outside and become active."

I Lost 65 Pounds!

Once this reader discovered she could change her whole life with just a few daily tweaks, she started seeing big results.

Little Changes, Big Results

"Eating six small meals a day kept me energized and prevented overeating."

Making It Happen

"I was tired of fighting with my weight. I decided to get fit, once and for all."

Mind Over Matter

"I didn't notice the weight loss until I found that my clothes were much looser on me. This prompted me to finally get serious about losing weight."

Getting Fit On The Road

This reader dropped 65 pounds-and learned to eat right and shape up no matter where her travels took her.

All The Right Moves

First this reader took up walking, then running, then kickboxing. Now she's 90 pounds lighter and has confidence to burn.

A Whole New Attitude

This health-care professional changed her diet and started exercising when she saw the effects of obesity close-up.

Tapping My Inner Strength

By overcoming emotional eating, this reader lost 150 pounds and was inspired to help other women get fit.

Making Time For Me

After gaining 60 pounds during pregnancy, this reader rededicated herself to healthy eating and exercise.

My Slim-Down Solutions

Motivating friends and morning exercise helped this reader lose 65 pounds.

I Was Shocked by a Photo of Myself

It Was Worth the Wait!

I Couldn't Have Done It Alone

After a heart-to-heart with her husband, this reader dealt with her weight issues head-on—and dropped 65 pounds.