"I'm Thinner Than I Was in High School"

Candy's Weight Loss Plan

Age: 23
Height: 5'5"
Weight: 135
Pounds lost: 85
Months at current weight: 19

The Workout: Candy runs four miles four times a week, followed by sit-ups, push-ups and leg lifts.

The Diet: For breakfast, Candy has toast and jelly or a bagel with low-fat cream cheese and a glass of orange juice. Lunch is a bean burrito with lettuce, tomatoes and olives along with a piece of fruit or yogurt. Dinner is a veggie burger or spaghetti and vegetable soup. Once a week, she has a "cheat day" and lets herself eat dessert.

Stick-With-It tip: Reward small triumphs. "When I'd met a mini goal -- like dropping 10 pounds -- I'd treat myself to a new pair of shorts or a shirt in my new size. It was a huge incentive to keep on track."

Biggest Temptation: Doughnuts and pastries. "I substituted licorice and Gummi bears for my old high-fat choices, then eventually switched to fruit."

What She Couldn't Wait to Wear: A pair of tight-fitting jeans. "When I was heavy, I only wore baggy jeans. Now I wear pants that accentuate my shape."

Originally published in Fitness magazine.