LIVESTRONG Members' Inspiring Transformations and Before and After Weight-Loss Photos

2018-10-22 22:50:05 by Ann Rusnak

Overview

Are you looking for motivation in your personal quest for better health and fitness? Find inspiration in these LIVESTRONG.com members' weight-loss success stories -- complete with stunning BEFORE and AFTER photos! Read all about their successful weight-loss journey, including their best advice that they want to share with others who are also working toward the goal of losing weight. They did it, and so can you!

Check back frequently -- new success stories are added often!

How Brittany D. Lost 70 Pounds

"Over the past year I have not only transformed my body, but also my mind. I am still a work in progress, but aren't we all? We should never really be finished. Set higher goals, make better choices, live happier! "

STATS: Age: 32 Height: 5'6"

BEFORE Weight: 200 pounds |Pant Size: 14/16

AFTER Weight: 130 pounds | Pant Size: 2/4

How Pierre H. Lost 117 Pounds

"Currently, I feel great and I am much happier. In addition to 117 pounds, I have so much more energy and feel more confident. Despite spending one to two hours every day to work out, I am a lot more productive at work. Living in Tucson, Arizona, I feel in much better physical condition to go biking, hiking or trail running in the Saguaro desert and Mount Lemmon."

STATS: Age: 31 Height: 6'1"

BEFORE Weight: 287 pounds and 39 percent body fat |Pant Size: 42

AFTER Weight: 170 pounds and 15 percent body fat | Pant Size: 30

How Kristina A. Lost 45 Pounds

"The improvements I've made to my overall health are enormous. I feel so much healthier and not so sluggish. I have more energy, and my skin is glowing. My old clothing fits again, and I am excited to go shopping for more!"

STATS: Age: 36 Height: 5'3"

BEFORE Weight: 115 | Dress/Pant Size: 10/40

AFTER Weight: 110.5 | Dress/Pant Size: 4/27

How Errick M. Lost 33 Pounds

"I realized that I needed to track my food intake if I was ever going to see my body transform. I knew that working out alone wasn't going to make the change I was looking for. I started using MyPlate at 218 pounds with a goal of getting to 180. I've been between 182 and 190 for 10 years. My average weight is 185."

STATS: Age: 43 Height: 6'0"

BEFORE Weight: 218 | Pant Size: 36/38

AFTER Weight: 185 | Pant Size: 32/34

How Scott H. Lost 80 Pounds

"You have to want to do this. One day something will just click in your head and you will say, "That's it. I am tired of this lifestyle." I was always the fat kid growing up. That I can hold my head up now and show everyone (most importantly, myself) that's not me anymore is an amazing feeling."

STATS: Age: 47 | Height: 6'3"

BEFORE Weight: 275 | Pant Size: 42

AFTER Weight: 195 | Pant Size: 34

How Alanna M. Lost 128 Pounds

"Today my life is better than it's ever been! I'm happy and I'm off the antidepressants that I've been taking nearly all my life. I'm stronger than I've ever been, and I'm filled with energy. My life is good, and I feel good about myself."

STATS: Age 34 Height: 5'6"

Before Weight: 263 Pounds Dress/Pant Size 18/20

After Weight: 135 Pounds Dress/Pant Size 4

How Kristen D. Lost 85 Pounds

"If I could give anyone advice, I would say get out of your own way! There is nothing I can do about all the little failures. I just simply choose to focus on and celebrate all the small successes along the way — they all add up."

STATS: Age 30 Height: 5'9"

Before Weight: 268 pounds Pant size: 24

After Weight 183 pounds Pant size: 12

Related: See more photos of Kristen and read her story.

How Lacey S. Lost 140 Pounds

"My life is more balanced than it's ever been. My body has changed a lot — and in some ways I didn't expect. But I truly feel better about myself and my body now than I ever have. I'm on a journey to becoming strong, not skinny or small. I feel proud of my journey and the strength I'm building."

STATS: Age: 27 Height: 5'8"

Before Weight: 305 pounds Dress Pant/Size: 24

After Weight: 165 pounds Dress Pant/Size: 10

How Stacy R. Lost 150 Pounds

"My biggest secret is to find what you enjoy most. For me it was finding support and motivation from people who became friends and, eventually, family. Don't care about what others think, it's your journey. We're all on different paths and shouldn't judge others. Focus on those who help you and inspire you."

STATS: Age: 45 Height: 5'7"

Before Weight: 320 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 26/28

After Weight: 170 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 10

How Mindy S. Lost 41 Pounds

"I knew I had to get healthy for my daughter so she would have at least one healthy parent. After I quit smoking, I gained another five pounds. This was when I joined LIVESTRONG.COM and committed to losing weight."

STATS: Age: 41 Height: 5'3"

Before Weight: 197 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14/16

After Weight: 156 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8/9

How Mikal K. Lost 55 Pounds

"Just after my 31st birthday, I decided it was time for everything to finally change. I realized if I was ever going to be able to effectively encourage and influence others —including my kids — I had to be an example of what I preached."

STATS: Age: 32 Height: 5' 11"

Before Weight: 255 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 44

After Weight: 200 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 36

Related: See more photos of Mikal and read his story

How Ruth D. Lost 23 Pounds

"I never thought that I would have muscle definition, and I finally do at 46 years old. I thought I was destined to be out of shape because I didn't think that I could find anything that worked for me. But all that has changed."

STATS: Age: 46 Height: 137

Before Weight: 160 Dress/Pant Size: 8 to 12

After Weight: 137 Dress/Pant Size: 4 to 6

How Gail D. Lost 188 Pounds

"Today I am off of cholesterol medication, and the doctors fixed my hiatal hernia last year. My doctors are amazed and so proud of me. When I get together with friends and family who haven't seen me in awhile, they are amazed and want to know what happened. I am always ready to share my story."

STATS: Age: 58 years old Height: 5 feet 6 inches

Before Weight: 355 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 28

After Weight: 167 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 12

How Jim F. Lost 300 Pounds

"My inspiration for making a change was the birth of my niece, Keira Noel. After my brother, William, she is the greatest thing that has happened in my life. Every pound I lose I dedicate to her and love her for it."

STATS: Age: 47 Height: 6 feet 1 inch

Before Weight: 585 pounds Pant Size: 66

After Weight: 289 pounds (and still losing) Pant Size: 46

Related: See more photos of Jim and read his story

How Amanda L. Lost 152 Pounds

"My biggest success is to remember that this is not a destination, it's a journey. I am not trying to get to something or someplace, I am simply becoming healthy and, most of all, happy." ~Amanda

STATS: Age: 40 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Before Weight: 356 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 28

After Weight: 195 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

Related: See more photos of Amanda and read her story

How Tyler Renee E. Lost 91 Pounds

STATS: Age: 28 Height: 5 feet 6 inches

Before Weight: 221 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 18/20

After Weight: 130 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 2/4

Related: See more photos of Tyler Renee and read her story

How Connie B. Lost 35 Pounds

"To me it boiled down to a simple math equation. I knew I needed to burn more calories than I ate. When I looked at it like that, I knew I could do it. On days that I wanted to eat more I just made sure that I exercised more to offset those extra calories I consumed." ~Connie

STATS: Age: 47 Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Before Weight: 225 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 20-22

After Weight: 190 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

Related: See more photos of Connie and read her story

How Melissa W. Lost 60 Pounds

"As with everything in life, balance is key. Do not deprive yourself of the things you love. If you splurge one day, don't beat yourself up over it. You haven't failed. Just pick yourself up and get back on track." ~Melissa

STATS: Age: 32 Height: 5 feet 3 inches

Before Weight: 205 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

After Weight: 145 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 6

Related: See more photos of Melissa and read her story

How Taylor R. Lost 112 Pounds

"Nothing worth having is easy, and change is scary. If you can commit to the process and hold yourself accountable, it will work. The changes will become routine." ~Taylor

STATS: Age: 35 Height: 5 feet 9 inches

Before Weight: 316 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 48

After Weight: 204 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 34

How Michelle M. Lost 40 Pounds

"Another tip is to find someone to help and support you on this journey. Whether it's a close friend, sibling or a significant other, try to connect with someone through fitness. There are so many active things you can do with others like classes, walking, running, biking, hiking, skiing, etc. If you surround yourself with people who are eager to venture out and try new things, chances are you'll begin to have this mindset as well." ~Michelle

STATS: Age: 23 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Before Weight: 175 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

After Weight: 135 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 4

How Marilyn K. Lost 67 Pounds

"LIVESTRONG.COM helped me come up with a plan that worked for my goals. There were so many options — meal plans, workouts and stories about what did and didn't work for others — that eventually I found things that I liked." ~Marilyn

STATS: Age: 51 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Before Weight: 245 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 18

After Weight: 165 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 12/14

How Rebecca L. Lost 53 Pounds

"I love getting the LIVESTRONG.COM newsletter and reading all the wonderful tips and information provided there. I immerse myself in health and fitness information like that because it helps to keep me on track and my mind in the right place." ~Rebecca

STATS: Age: 45 Height: 5 feet 3 inches

Before Weight: 199 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 20/22

After Weight: 146 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 9/10

How Cindy S. Lost 50 Pounds

STATS: Age: 46 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Before Weight: 181 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 16

After Weight: 128 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 6

"Start small and build upon your healthy habits. Tackle one thing at a time — like learning how to read food labels and staying away from heavily processed foods. Your health is your wealth, and when you don't have it, all the money in the world can't fix it." ~Cindy

How James T. Lost 150 Pounds

"I think the ball was really set in motion before I started all of this change the evening I happened upon LIVESTRONG.COM. I found that members of the LIVESTRONG community were very supportive and friendly. Reading about other people's challenges and successes served as daily motivation for me. I guess you could say that LIVESTRONG.COM helped bring me back!" ~James

STATS: Age: 46 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

BEFORE Weight: 310 pounds Pant Size: 48

AFTER Weight: 160 pounds Pant Size: 34

Related: See more photos of James and read his story

How Sheena G. Lost 67 Pounds

"Weight-loss journeys have no ending. I still read articles on LIVESTRONG.COM for motivation. Other people's success stories inspire me to keep pushing. I love my body. Some days I can be hard on myself since I'm not where I want to be, but then I remind myself of how far I have come." ~Sheena

STATS: Age: 30 Height: 5 feet 1 inch

BEFORE Weight: 255 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 16/18

AFTER Weight: 188 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8/10

How Teresa C. Lost 90 Pounds

"I chose to make a plan and take action. I decided to switch to following a pescatarian diet. I boxed up all of my junk food and gave it away, and then I went to the grocery store and spent $200 to restock the cabinets and freezer with healthier options. I signed up for an account on LIVESTRONG.COM and started making a new healthy menu using the MyPlate Calorie Tracker." ~Teresa

STATS: Age: 50 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

BEFORE Weight: 230 pounds Pant Size: 38 to 40 (men's jeans)

AFTER Weight: 140 pounds Pant Size: 7 (women's clothing)

How Julie R. Lost 133 Pounds

"I think the biggest challenge I faced is myself! I am my own worst enemy at times. I think the piece of advice that I could give for making a positive change in health is to take baby steps. That is what worked for me and the way I had to look at things — because the big picture was overwhelming. If I broke it down into smaller pieces, however, it became more attainable and possible to achieve. Give yourself room to make mistakes." ~Julie

STATS: Age: 45 Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Before Weight: 285 pounds Pant Size: 24

After Weight: 152 pounds Pant Size: 10

Related: See more photos of Julie and read her story

How Lee M. Lost 135 Pounds

"My biggest challenge is my sweet tooth, so I look for sugar-free options or recipes that give me the same sweet taste without so many calories. Eating right doesn't mean starving yourself. Don't let food and calories control your life. Moderation is the key." ~Lee

STATS: Age: 33 Height: 5 feet 10 inches

Before Weight: 370 pounds Pant Size: 48-50

After Weight: 235 pounds Pant Size: 38

How Robert C. Lost 111 Pounds

"Make it about a lifestyle change, not a diet. Make it about eating foods that you enjoy — just healthier versions, as I've mentioned before. By making it a lifestyle change you set yourself up to be able to maintain your weight loss. If you go about the weight loss by eating nothing but salads, carrots and celery it will be nearly impossible to maintain over a long period of time." ~Robert

STATS: Age: 29 Height: 6 feet 2 inches

Before Measurements: Weight: 292 pounds Pant Size: 44

After Measurements: Weight: 181 pounds Pant Size: 36

Related: See more photos of Robert and read his story

How LoriJean R. Lost 70 Pounds

"I think of cardio work out as quick money to earn me an extra bite or two, but you don't want to get into a cycle of living paycheck to paycheck. ... muscle tone is more like putting your money in an investment that will help you later. You burn more calories in-between your workouts when you have more muscle mass." ~LoriJean

STATS: Age: 40 Height: 5 feet 1 inch

Before Measurements: Weight: 210 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 18-20

After Measurements: Weight: 140 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8-10

Related: See more photos of LoriJean and read her story

How Evan Maintained His 40-Pound Weight Loss & Toned Up Even More

"You don't have to live and eat perfectly. All you can do is your best. Some days are better than others, and that is just fine. You must look at the big picture and not focus so much on the minute details. That ability will take you the distance. You may not lose it as fast as you'd like, but you will get there. Start by making small changes and just get moving. If you are moving, you are burning. If you are burning, you are working towards your goal!" ~Evan

STATS: Age: 40 Height: 5 feet 8 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 204 pounds Pant Size: 38

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 170 pounds Pant Size: 31

How Matt G. Lost 100 Pounds

"As a result of the changes I've made, I feel better about myself and my body than I have in years. I'm at the lowest weight I've been since high school, and I'm having to adjust to this new sensation of feeling confident and proud of myself and my body." ~Matt

STATS: Age: 33 Height: 5 feet 11 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 330 pounds Pant Size: 44

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 206 pounds Pant Size: 35

Related: See more photos of Matt and read his story

How Peter N. Lost 100 Pounds

"I feel great about myself now that I'm no longer prediabetic. I am able to go for a run without stopping to rest, something I could not do before making these healthy changes in my life. My workouts are consistent, and I am still using the LIVESTRONG.COM Calorie Tracker because my goal is to still lose 60 more pounds." ~Peter

STATS: Age: 24 Height: 6 feet 2 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 388 pounds Pant Size: 58

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 288 pounds Pant Size: 44

Related: See more photos of Peter and read his story

How Julia D. Lost 39 Pounds

" I appreciate my body for what it is now, and I try to do right by it. I also understand that curves don't make you a woman. How you feel inside and about yourself does." ~Julia

STATS: Age: 30 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 170 pounds Pant Size: 12/L

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 131 pounds Pant Size: 4/XS

Related: See more photos of Julia and read her story

How Dan W. Lost 70 Pounds

"My life now is quite a bit more active than before. I'm happy with the way I look, and I can do so much more without feeling tired or sluggish. ... I've definitely created a mindset that makes me take into consideration the things that I'm putting in my body. In addition, I've created habits that keep me active and keep the excess weight off! Thanks, LIVESTRONG.COM, for being there with me! ~Dan

STATS: Age: 33 Height: 6 feet

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 260 pounds Pant Size: 38

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 190 pounds Pant Size: 33

Related: See more photos of Dan and read his story

How Tomi S. Lost 36 Pounds

"If you falter, don't stress over it. Just move on and get back on track. It will be easier if you make getting right back to it a habit. That in itself is progress, and it feels good." ~Tomi

STATS: Age: 52 Height: 5 feet 4 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 176 pounds Pant Size: 16/14

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 140 pounds Pant Size: 10/8

How Paula B. Lost 112 Pounds

"It's really not a secret, but I think that being consistent and repetition are keys to my success. Every day is a fresh start, and taking one step every day toward your goals is a big step in the right direction. If you want to make a change in your life for yourself and your health, I say just jump in, because if you keep waiting for tomorrow you might never get started." ~Paula

STATS: Age: 49 Height: 5 feet 6 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 326 pounds Pant Size: 24/22

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 214 pounds Pant Size: 16/14

Related: See more photos of Paula and read her story

How Aaron P. Lost 96 Pounds

"Once I decided to change, I had to (and have to still) decide to stick with that change each day. The changes I am making are not just to reach my goal, they are to reach my goal and maintain that healthy weight by changing the way I live to a life that is healthy." ~Aaron

STATS: Age: 45 Height: 6 feet

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 350 pounds Pant Size: 48

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 239 pounds (and still dropping) Pant Size: 38

Related: See more photos of Aaron and read his story

How Elizabeth C. Lost 15 More Pounds - 78 Pounds Total

STATS: Age: 50 Height: 5 feet 9 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 211 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 1x to 2x Waist: 43

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 133 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8 Waist: 27

Related: See more photos of Elizabeth and read her update

How Stephanie C. Lost 110 Pounds

"Working out and eating healthy food doesn't sound hard, but there are a million excuses why you can't. Too busy, too sore, too tired -- I think I've said them all before, but the truth is that when I really wanted it, I made time and put forth effort regardless of whether I was tired, sore or otherwise." ~Stephanie

STATS: Age: 41 Height: 6 feet

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 300 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 22

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 190 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 10/12

Related: See more photos of Stephanie and read her story

How Maddie B. Lost 38 Pounds

"As months passed, I discovered the Community feature in the Calorie Tracker app and started reading the many posts. LIVESTRONG community members helped me to realize the dangers of undereating and the value in making sure my calories were from wholesome, nutrient-filled foods." ~Maddie

STATS: Age: 24 Height: 5 feet 4 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 148 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 6 to 10

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 110 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 0 to 4

Related: See more photos of Maddie and read her story

How Kendra L. Lost 55 Pounds

"I love looking in the mirror now, and I no longer dread stepping on the scale. I can fit into clothes that I only ever dreamed of being able to wear when I was heavy. ... I think I'm beautiful (not that I wasn't before), but, more importantly, now I'm healthy too." ~Kendra

STATS: Age: 20 Height: 5 feet 7 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 193 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 16/18

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 138 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8/10

Related: See more photos of Kendra and read her story

How Chanelle B. lost 37 Pounds

"I started reading the health and fitness articles on LIVESTRONG.COM and learned...about healthy proteins, carbs and fat and what types of foods I should be eating. I lost 40 pounds the first time with an unhealthy approach and quickly gained half of that weight back. I used what I learned on LIVESTRONG.COM to help me lose the weight again. It took me three months, and I've kept it off for an entire year!" ~Chanelle

STATS: Age: 25 Height: 5 feet 8 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 180 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 143 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 6

Related: See more photos of Chanelle and read her story

How Lisa P. Lost 76 Pounds

"The biggest thing is finding what works for you. For me that was finding fun ways to exercise that didn't involve a gym -- I had done the gym thing before and always hated it. ... Everyone is different, so it stands to reason that everyone's path to health will be different as well. Also, when things get difficult and you feel like giving up, it's helpful to remember the reason you started in the first place. It's so easy to lose sight of why you started, and remembering it during those tough times will give you the extra push you need to reach your goal." ~Lisa

STATS: Age: 27 Height: 5 feet 7 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 268 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 22

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 192 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

Related: See more photos of Lisa and read her story

How Van S. Lost 73 Pounds!

"Don't give up if you don't see immediate results or when you run into challenges on the journey. Those challenges are opportunities to do some research and discover modifications and little ways you can tweak things to better fit your needs, which can be very motivating. Everyone is different, and something that works for one person may not work for you, but you just have to stick with it until you find what does. Never settle, and constantly push yourself to achieve." ~Van

STATS: Age: 35 Height: 5 feet 10 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 238 pounds Pant Size: 38/40

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 165 pounds Pant Size: 32

Related: See more photos of Van and read his story

How Dean L. Lost 95 Pounds!

"Track your calories, whether in an app like LIVESTRONG's Calorie Tracker or in a notebook: Write it down. Be brutally honest in your tracking. Weigh and measure everything. It is so easy to underestimate your actual calorie intake. Every bite adds up and counts, so track it all!" ~Dean

STATS: Age: 57 Height: 5 feet 10 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 280 pounds Pant Size: 44

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 185 pounds Pant Size: 34

Related: See more photos of Dean and read his story

How Bryce W. Lost 150 Pounds

"COMMIT! Next time you're thinking about how you want to make a change, take an immediate step to get started! It doesn't matter what it is: Just do something to commit right then and there! Otherwise, the next thing you know, six months will have passed and nothing will have changed." ~Bryce

STATS: Age: 33 Height: 5 feet 6 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 340 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 46 waist

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 190 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 33 waist

Related: See more photos of Bryce and read his story

How Dianna J. Lost Almost 200 Pounds!

"The LIVESTRONG community members helped me realize that a "diet" is temporary, but a lifestyle change can last forever. ... I accepted slow, lasting change over unhealthy crash dieting. After all, this is going to be for the rest of my life, right?" ~Dianna

STATS: Age: 65 Height: 5 feet 6 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 370 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 5X

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 175 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

How Lisa T. Lost 40 Pounds!

"Don't beat yourself up if you feel like you've slipped. Life happens. Things come up. There is no way to predict what will happen from day to day. Be consistent, but be flexible. Do not give up just because you missed a day or two, or even a week. Get back on the horse and try again." ~Lisa

STATS: Age: 35 Height: 5'5"

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 175 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 135 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 6/4

Related: See more photos of Lisa and read her story

How Lisa D. Lost 42 Pounds!

"I tracked my calories on the LIVESTRONG.COM Calorie Tracker. It kept me accountable for what I was putting into my body. I became aware of what was working and what wasn't. I slowly started to add more "clean" foods into my diet, leaving less room for processed and sugar-laden foods. This gradual move towards eating mostly vegetables, fruit, healthy grains and protein was very effective and started me down my current path of weight loss. I started to see results within the first two weeks." ~Lisa

STATS: Age: 39 Height: 5 feet 9 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 192 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14/16

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 150 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 4/6

How Bobby L. Lost 162 Pounds!

"Don't try to starve yourself to speed up weight loss. Your body needs food to operate! You can just about eat whatever you want as long as you watch the portion sizes. Now, when I do choose to eat out, I split my entree in half when the food arrives at the table and take part home to eat for lunch the next day." ~Bobby

STATS: Age: 26 Height: 5 feet 10 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 410 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 60

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 248 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 42

Related: See more photos of Bobby and read his story

How Kim B. Lost 65 Pounds!

"When I decided to make a change, I researched all of the apps out there and selected the LIVESTRONG.COM Calorie Tracker. My weight loss just took off to another level when I started tracking all of my foods. ... After 10 months of healthy eating and exercising, I met my goal of a 65-pound weight loss. I had transformed myself into a totally new woman. For the first time in my life I've fallen in love with the person I see in the mirror." ~Kim

STATS: Age: 45 Height: 5 feet 5 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 230 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 18

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 165 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8

Related: See more photos of Kim and read her story

How Leslie S. Lost 97 Pounds!

"Do not follow fads. Discover what works for you. Find the healthy foods that are delicious to you. You will be successful, and it will not be a diet that you dread or a temporary fix. In my opinion, a marriage of exercise and clean eating is required. Both are important and will play a huge role in helping you achieve your goal." ~Leslie

STATS: Age: 48 Height: 5 feet 9 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 257 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 24/26

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 160 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8/10

Related: See more photos of Leslie and read her story

How Michael P. Lost 127 Pounds!

"If I had to share with someone my secret of success, it would be that it is never too late for a lifestyle change. Even at the age of 52 and with all my past health problems, I'm making it happen. Getting healthy is not just a temporary change of diet, it's a way of life. ~Michael

STATS: Age: 52 years old Height: 6 feet 2 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 360 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 48

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 233 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 36

Related: See more photos of Michael and read his story

Sarah M. Lost 91 Pounds!

"I enjoy logging on to LIVESTRONG.COM to check out the different health articles and success stories of how others lost their weight. It has been a long, hard journey for me, but I wouldn't change a thing about it. I lost my weight over the course of two years, slowly and steadily, which I am a huge proponent of because it is much harder to gain it back if you have a bad day." ~Sarah

STATS: Age: 25 years old Height: 5 feet 5 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 220 pounds (I might have been larger. This was the first time I weighed myself.) Dress/Pant Size: 14/16 Waist: 33 inches

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 129 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 4 Waist: 27 inches

Related: See more photos of Sarah and read her story

Amanda B. Lost 85 Pounds!

"People always ask me how I did it? I respond with, "Count your calories and burn more than you eat." No one believes it is that easy. It is easy in theory, but actually doing it proves harder. It is a change of your lifestyle -- not a temporary diet -- a commitment to healthy eating forever." ~Amanda

STATS: Age: 33 years old Height: 5 feet 4 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 230 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 18/20

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 145 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 6

Kate R. Lost 115 Pounds!

"This was the first time my goal wasn't 100 percent focused on weight loss, but instead on overall health. It's important to me to eat healthy, clean food that nourishes, fuels and repairs the body because I'm now training like an athlete. ... The support I have also received from the LIVESTRONG.COM community has been great. It is wonderful to connect with people who have been through the struggles and overcome the obstacles. No one really knows what it is like until they go through such a drastic life change, and it is great to get support on those tough days." ~Kate

STATS: Age: 28 years old Height: 5 feet 8 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 270 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 20

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 155 to 160 pounds (Right now I am working on building muscle, so I am a little heavier.) Dress/Pant Size: 4

Related: See more photos of Kate and read her story

Elizabeth C. Lost 63 Pounds!

"The biggest barrier is inside. Measuring how far you have to go to get where you want to be isn't something I think you should dwell on, because if you have a big goal it can seem unattainable. So you can't look at it as a mountain, just a series of small hills that you take one at a time at a pace that makes sense at the time." ~Elizabeth

STATS: Age: 50 Height: 5 feet 9 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 211 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 1x to 2x Waist: 43 inches

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 148 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 8 Waist: 29 inches

Related: See more photos of Elizabeth and read her story

Lara S. Lost 30 Pounds and 3 Sizes!

"LIVESTRONG.COM has been invaluable. I still use the site for recipes, community, the inspiration and articles -- it keeps me positive and moving forward. I still track everything in MyPlate. ... LIVESTRONG.COM helps it become real as you see the effects of eating carbs, weight, calories and exercise. My life has forever changed for the better -- and LIVESTRONG.COM was where it started." ~Lara

STATS: Age: 47 Height: 5 feet 9.5 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 196 pounds Dress/pant size: 14/12 Waist: 38 inches

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 166 pounds Dress/pant size: 8/6 Waist: 30 inches

Related: See more photos of Lara and read her story

Korey H. Lost 89 Pounds!

"... finding something healthy that you really enjoy will go a long way toward making your weight-loss journey very sustainable. ... Change takes time. Start slow, learn as you go (learning is very important) and find a healthy activity that you enjoy and can stick with. And if it happens to become one of your life's passions, then that's great too!" ~Korey

STATS: Age: 25 Height: 5 feet 9.5 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 249 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 42

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 160 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 32

Related: See more photos of Korey and read his story

Lori H. Lost 54 Pounds!

"LIVESTRONG.COM showed me how horrible my eating habits were. After I started tracking my calories in MyPlate, I realized how many empty calories I was consuming every day because I didn't know what was in my food. I was floored with how many calories are in things I thought were good for me. I started counting calories consistently and working out and the pounds fell off quickly." ~Lori

STATS: Age: 37 Height: 5 feet 9 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 209 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 12 to 14 / L to XL

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 155 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 4 to 6 / S to M

Related: See more photos of Lori and read her story

Robert R. Lost 113 Pounds!

"It's tough, I won't lie. The best chance for success involves a slow transition and not an overnight overhaul. Take small steps and build on success until you've revamped your lifestyle. Prepare your meals and snacks in advance when possible. Don't worry about others or their dietary habits. Focus on your own needs because this is your journey and that's OK." ~Robert

STATS: Age: 48 Height: 6 feet

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 285 pounds Pant Size: 46 to 48

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 172 pounds Pant Size: 32

Related: See more photos of Robert and read his story

Ed M. Lost 35 Pounds!

"MyPlate is my tool of choice along with LIVESTRONG.COM's MyWater water tracking app. I also use the MyPlate mobile app for iPhone to keep track of my exercise, which consists of walking 40 minutes, 5 days a week and using the treadmill in my gym aggressively for 40 minutes each Saturday and Sunday. I'm obsessed with making sure I track everything that goes in my mouth. For me it's the key to keeping on track. Seeing my weight go down every week inspires me to keep on going." ~Ed

STATS: Age: 51 Height: 6 feet

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 203 pounds Waist: 34/36 inches

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 168 pounds Waist: 31/32 inches

Mary Kay Z. Lost 35 Pounds!

"I used MyPlate daily and for the first few years, on the weekends and some holidays. I made myself account for EVERYTHING from a slice of pizza to the occasional French fry. It's a wonderful tool because almost every food on the planet is available and the nutrition info is accurate. It took me about a year to lose the weight." ~Mary Kay

STATS: Age: 36 Height: 5 feet 10 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 180-190 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 14 Waist: 32.5 inches as of Feb 3, 2010 (when I started to track body measurements)

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 155 pounds Dress/Pant Size:6 Waist: 27 inches

Related: See more photos of Mary Kay and read her story

Evan S. Lost 40 Pounds!

"I adopted a diet that focused on whole foods like fruits, vegetables, lean meats and nuts. I eliminated bread, sugar, fried foods, (a past favorite), and processed foods from my diet. I switched from eating out six days a week to only once a week. I recorded every bite that went into my mouth on the MyPlate calorie tracker. Six days a week I got up early to do a minimum of 40 minutes of cardio with my favorite workout buddy -- my Jack Russell Terrier, NOLA." ~Evan

STATS: Age: 38 Height: 5 feet 8 inches

BEFORE Weight: 210 pounds AFTER Weight: 170 pounds

Martha G. Lost Over 70 Pounds!

"Set small, achievable goals. Don't commit to changing everything at once, and don't set a goal to lose 50 pounds by a specific date. Instead, commit to making one or two small changes at a time. When those become second nature add another, and so on. Set a realistic calorie goal so you aren't starving. You don't have to starve yourself to lose weight! Remember that eating healthy foods is a good thing, not a punishment. And track your food -- that is so important!" ~Martha

STATS: BEFORE Weight: 222 pounds AFTER Weight: 142-146 pounds

Related: See more photos of Martha and read her story

Richard R. Lost 130 Pounds!

"We can do more than we think and often more than the body and head allows. It is good to test your limits, set tough goals and even fail at reaching them. When we fall down, get back up and that is success." ~Richard

STATS: Age: 47 Height: 5 feet 10 inches

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 340 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 52

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 190 pounds Dress/Pant Size: 33

Ryan C. Lost 160 Pounds!

"Know your weaknesses and work with them -- not against them. When I decided to lose weight, I revamped my habits slowly. I didn't change my entire diet overnight. Instead, when I first started dieting, I still ate my favorite junk foods -- I just ate less of them. Gradually I was able to scale down on the number of candy bars and cookies I had until they were a minimal part of my diet. Now I only have desserts once in a while." ~Ryan

Related: See more photos of Ryan and read his story

Rachel F. Lost 25 Pounds!

"LIVESTRONG.COM was definitely a pivotal piece to my fitness puzzle ... and I found MyPlate, which was a huge lifesaver. I was able to track what I ate every day and how much I worked out. I began seeing progress in my weight, inches and BMI, and this kept me moving forward." ~Rachel

Related: See more photos of Rachel and read her story

Robin W. Lost 75 Pounds!

"You have to be realistic about your expectations and know yourself. Just take one step at a time. If you know you like to eat cookies at night, save some calories and find a healthier alternative for your snack. There's so many creative things you can do with food that there's no reason to feel unsatisfied. Let's be honest: The desire for the cookies isn't going to magically disappear because you started a diet today. Set yourself up for success. And having a tool helps. I have been using MyPlate for years and I love it!" ~Robin

Related: See more photos of Robin and read her story

David M. Lost 187 Pounds!

"Exercise was hugely important for my weight loss and it's something that I look forward to every day, but if you're like me, you cannot work off a bad diet. Tracking your calories is a must. Another suggestion: Stay consistent and keep learning. I frequent forums all of the time to learn more about nutrition and fitness -- and if I can teach and help others too, all the better!" ~David

STATS: Age: 30

BEFORE Measurements: Weight: 351 pounds Waist: 52 inches

AFTER Measurements: Weight: 164 pounds Waist: 31 inches

Related: See more photos of David and read his story

Ashley D. Lost 137 Pounds!

"If I can offer one piece of advice to everyone, it's this: Track all of your food and exercise. Let's face it -- it's too easy to underestimate how many calories you've eaten and overestimate how many calories you've burned. I had no idea how much I was eating until I saw the numbers for myself. There are lots of excuses to not eat healthy (and we all have them), but just think of it as a lifestyle change -- not a diet." ~Ashley

Related: See more photos of Ashley and read her story

What Do YOU Think?

Which piece of advice did you find most helpful? Were there any stories you found especially inspiring? Have you lost weight by tracking food any exercise? What helped you stay motivated? We want to hear about your weight-loss stories in the comments. Did you use LIVESTRONG.COM to lose the weight? Email us at [email protected] and you could be featured in our newsletter!