"I Made a Commitment to My Health"

Erika's Weight Loss Plan

Age: 26
Height: 5'6"
Weight: 138
Pounds lost: 52
Months at current weight: 13

The Diet: Breakfast is a granola bar and an apple. For lunch, Erika eats a tuna sandwich, carrot sticks, a fruit cup and baked potato chips. Dinner is a veggie burger and a large salad. She snacks on graham crackers, applesauce and grapes.

The Workout: Erika spends an hour doing a cardio workout four times a week, alternating between running on a treadmill and taking a step class. She lifts weights twice a week and goes for a walk after dinner three evenings a week.

Biggest Temptation: Twix candy bars. "I treat myself to one every other week so I don't feel deprived."

What She Couldn't Wait to Wear: A pair of skintight velvet jeans she bought right before her wedding. "I was so excited to try them on, but when I did, they almost fell off me! It was a bonus -- and made me realize I'm in the best shape of my life."

Best Compliment Since Losing Weight: "Last Christmas, my brother turned to me and said, You look 15 again!' That was the last time I was as thin as I am now."

Stick-With-It-Tip: Get support from a partner or a friend. "My husband's encouragement helps keep me going when I feel like skipping a workout."

Originally published in Fitness magazine.