Find out how this successful dieter achieved her amazing weight loss.
My turning point: After I gave birth to my second child, I stepped on a scale and realized I had let my weight exceed 300 pounds. My husband (also overweight) and I decided we had to do something. We didn't want our children to grow up the same way we did--with bad eating habits.
My slim-down techniques: Completely cutting out regular soda and fast-food restaurants, eating lots of fresh vegetables, and replacing snacks like Oreo cookies with fruits, raisins, and animal crackers.
Kept the weight off: 6 months, so far.
My best motivator: My two kids, I want to make sure I'm healthy so I can watch them grow up. I also receive a lot of support from my husband since we're dieting together.
My greatest temptations: Fried, breaded seafood. Now, instead of eating it deep fried, I'll have it steamed, sauteed or grilled.
My favorite diet food: Low-fat nacho chips covered with salsa, kidney beans and melted fat-free shredded cheddar cheese. It tastes great and has fewer calories than the kind you get at a restaurant.
My weight-loss trick: I serve meals on kid-size plates. It not only makes my dish look full, but it makes me feel like I'm eating a lot more than is actually there.
My exercise routine: Putting on music at night and dancing with the kids. Also, parking on the opposite side of the mall from where I plan to shop and walking. Any chance I have to get up and move, I do.
Stay-slim advice: Eat things you love--just in moderation. I used to polish off a whole bag of pretzels dipped in peanut butter every day. Now I'll measure out one serving of pretzels and skip the dipping.
The payoff: Being able to play with my kids. Before, I couldn't even run around the yard and chase after them. Today, I can put on my bathing suit, like how I look, and keep up with them in the pool!
Have you lost unwanted pounds and kept them off? Whether you've shed that extra weight with a diet that really worked or by revamping your snack habits, we want to know your secrets for an ongoing Good Housekeeping Web feature. Email us your success story, and be sure to include your name and daytime phone number.