15 Incredible Weight-Loss Transformations

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Martha Price, 52, Stoneham, Mass.

Sometimes the hardest part of making a big change is getting motivated. Which is why we’ve found 15 seriously inspiring women who have lost anywhere from 84 to 206 pounds. Their weight-loss secret? Good old-fashioned healthy eating and exercising.
"I started working with a weight-loss coach at Healthy Fit for Women in Woburn, Mass. The key was slowly making changes in the way I ate, which eventually led to permanent habits," says Martha Price. "I used to think I was eating 'healthy' foods, but my portions were way too large, not to mention packed with sugar. I started eating breakfast, then tried to eat five small meals a day, every three hours, instead of larger ones later in the day."

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Patti Murillo-Casa, 55, New York City

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"I tipped the scale as a 238-pound diabetic, thanks to bouts of emotional eating," says Patti Murilla-Casa. "My doctor warned me that if I didn't lose weight, I'd need to take insulin injections, so I joined a nearby gym. I dropped the first 30 pounds by walking on the treadmill, but when my weight started to plateau, I knew I needed to up the intensity. I signed up for Zumba, Spinning and weight-training group classes and was immediately hooked. The sessions felt more like a social get-together than exercise. Best of all, the added activity helped me reach my goal weight."

Weight Lost: 84 Pounds

"I now pay more attention to food labels and allow myself the occasional indulgence to keep cravings at bay," she says.
Top Tip: Create accountability for yourself — try keeping a journal to keep track of the food and calories you are eating each day.

Laurel Fooks, 33, Springfield, Ore.

"I got organized: meal planning, food tracking and enjoyable physical activity helped me drop pounds. I started with walking and pushing my baby in the stroller (if it was too cold out, I did Leslie Sansone's Walk Away the Pounds in my living room during naptime)," says Laurel Fooks. "From there, I built up to short jogs, and eventually started running. I also joined SparkPeople.com, which provided me with a supportive community and weight-loss network."

 

 

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Weight Lost: 102 Pounds

Her keys to success: Pick one or two days a week to exercise with friends for 30 minutes, and use these tips to ensure you stay committed.
Put a policy in place to encourage people to show up, such as buying coffee for everyone if you back out of a workout session.
Create a common goal such as making it to yoga class weekly or losing 5 pounds by Christmas. Use SkinnYo.com, which tracks your group's progress and keeps you motivated.

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Avis Weiss, 35, Arlington, Texas

"After years of watching my weight yo-yo, I saw it climb to a high of 213 pounds and my self-esteem plummeted," says Avis Weiss. "Determined to shape up once and for all, I started doing strength-training routines from magazines. After a month, I already had more definition, so I invested in exercise DVDs like the P90X program, modifying some moves (such as doing fewer reps or using lighter weights) to make them easier. I love how strong I've become. While I'm still working toward my goal weight, my confidence is sky-high."

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Weight Lost: 73 Pounds

Her keys to success:
Tone from head to toe with this quick routine. Once it feels easy, add 15 more seconds to each move.
MODIFIED PLANK
Start in push-up position on hands and toes, then lower knees and forearms to the floor and clasp hands. Keeping upper body in a straight line, hold position for 20 seconds.
BRIDGE
Lie on back with knees bent and feet flat on floor, close to your butt. Press heels down and lift hips off floor until there's a straight line from shoulders to knees. Squeeze butt and hold for 2 counts, then lower to start position. Repeat the move for 20 seconds.
WALKING PUSH-UP
Stand with feet hip-width, then bend over and reach toward floor. Walk hands out in front of you until you're in a push-up position. Hold for 2 counts without letting hips or belly sink, then walk hands back up to start position. Repeat the move for 20 seconds.

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Rachel Lima, 39, Sacramento, Calif.

"I gradually scaled down my portion sizes (to 1/3 of what I had been eating), and if I wanted ice cream, I went for a walk to get it!" says Rachel Lima.

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Weight Lost: 85 Pound

Top Tip: Hire a personal trainer. "I started going to one at my gym, 24 Hour Fitness. Who better to invest in than yourself?" she says.

Michelle Fritts, 25, Rockville, Md.

"I wrote down everything I ate as well as the calories, and did a combination of cardio and weight-lifting at the gym almost daily," says Michelle Fritts. "Sometimes, I'd just go for a walk or do toning exercises in my office during lunch to squeeze in whatever exercise I could!"

Weight Lost: 89 pounds

Top Tip: Find support from a network of people who are also living a healthy life. "I found mine in my boyfriend and coworkers, as they were either dieting right along with me, or at least working on living a healthier lifestyle," she says.

LeAnne Richards, 48, Hesperia, Calif.

"I joined Weight Watchers and promised myself I would attend all the meetings," she says. "I also diligently tracked everything I consumed and maintained a one-hour daily regimen of riding my bike or walking

Weight Lost: 90 pounds

Top Tip: Find an exercise buddy — it not only keeps you motivated but also makes exercising more fun!

Maureen Albrecht, 56, Arcadia, Calif.

"After years of trying but failing to lose weight with my busy schedule as a law enforcement officer, I tried the Lindora Lean for Life program — a medically based program that consists of three meals and three snacks per day and aims to permanently change eating habits," Maureen Albrecht says.

Weight Lost: 111 pounds

Top Tip: Stop making excuses! In order to change your life, you have to change your habits, which means fully committing to a new healthy lifestyle.

harlotte Siems, 49, Stillwater, Okla.

"I started doing the T-Tapp Workout, a DVD series that combines strength and aerobic training. It requires no equipment and takes minimal time (some workouts are just 15 minutes)," Charlotte Siems says. "This helped reshape my body as I lost the weight. I also started to eat only when I was hungry and stop when I was full."

Weight Lost: 112 pounds

Top Tip: Take your own photos (front, side, back) monthly because sometimes you see progress in those pictures that you won't see on the scale or tape measure.