12 Get-Healthy Success Stories

Sweet Success
Five months later Nicole had gone from a size 16 to a 6. "Now when I shop I like what I see in the dressing-room mirror," she confides. Good thing, because she'll be trying on a lot of dresses: Her boyfriend of five years just proposed. "I'm marrying an amazing man who loves me for who I am," she says.

What Worked for Me
Skinny side dish: "Black beans sautéed in olive oil with onion, garlic, and cumin."
On my fitness bucket list: "To hike all 46 of the Adirondack High Peaks, some of which are more than 5,000 feet tall."
Produce pick: "Kiwi -- I peel, chop, and add it to my morning oatmeal."
Most embarrassing music I work out to: "Any '80s hair band. Bon Jovi is my favorite."
Stay-slim strategy: "I took a picture every time I lost 10 pounds. Having physical proof of my transformation kept me motivated to reach my goal."