Arlington County (Va.) Housing Assistant

55 years old, married; one daughter, who died in 2001 at age 21

Since 2004

24 plus to 16 plus

Committed to regular exercise; eliminated processed sugar and white flour; switched to diet tea; allows herself to splurge a little on weekends only; weighs herself once or twice weekly.

Anything sweet, especially cakes, pies and sweet tea

Grapes. "They're sweet and eating eight to 10 will do it."

Her treadmill, parked in her bedroom. She listens to gospel music while walking on it daily five to six times per week for at least 30 minutes.

Jell-O, Lite Cool Whip and Turkey Hill Diet Iced Tea

"I'm not into struggling. This hasn't been a struggle. I've just incorporated small changes."

Gained and lost the same 40 pounds year after year. "I did all kinds of crazy diet things."

Honoring her daughter's memory. "I didn't think my daughter would want me to fall apart."

Two new wardrobes

Her blood pressure and type 2 diabetes are now stable.

How to break a weight plateau with more exercise and tweaking food; healthy food finds; "seeing the difference that reaching a healthier weight can make in people's lives."