Losing weight is a common goal, often topping New Year's resolution lists. This article explores the journeys of individuals who have achieved significant weight loss, highlighting their methods, motivations, and the impact on their lives. Their stories offer inspiration and practical insights for anyone seeking to improve their health and well-being.
Transformations Before the New Year
Two women, Tickisha Reid and Elizabeth Hronek, celebrated remarkable weight loss achievements before the start of 2019, each shedding over 100 pounds. These single mothers exemplify dedication and the power of sustainable lifestyle changes.
Tickisha Reid: From 300 Pounds to Plant-Based Living
Tickisha Reid, a single mother from Florida, embarked on her weight loss journey after giving birth to her son in 2004. At her heaviest, Reid weighed nearly 300 pounds. The 36-year-old joined Weight Watchers with a family member.
Reid credits the program with providing the necessary tools for success. "The program gave me the tools I needed," Reid told People magazine. "I learned about portion control and how to make better food choices, which is extremely important in losing weight."
Beyond dietary changes, Reid incorporated boxing and yoga into her routine. She now embraces a plant-based lifestyle and emphasizes the importance of a gradual, sustainable approach. "I now use food as a tool to achieve maximum health," she told People. "My weight-loss journey didn't happen overnight but I wouldn't trade the process for any fast, quick fixes in the world."
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Her transformation was not only physical but also emotional. People magazine editor Zoe Ruderman noted that Reid's story resonated because it addressed deep-seated self-esteem issues. "She grew up the 'fat one' and was picked on and [she] talked about how it affected her self-esteem," Ruderman said of Reid. "It was about feeling better on the inside."
Elizabeth Hronek: A Daughter's Inspiration
Elizabeth Hronek, a single mother of two from North Carolina, also struggled with her weight since childhood, facing bullying and low self-esteem. Hronek told People that she was at her heaviest at 300 pounds. While in college, she was so disconnected from her body that she didn't realize she was pregnant until she went into labor.
Her daughter became the catalyst for change. "I knew I had to make a change," she said. "I could not have my daughter grow up overweight and getting bullied."
Hronek's weight loss journey led to a new career path. She became certified in personal training and nutritional therapy and has competed in figure competitions. "[I am] on a mission to empower millions to live happy, healthy lives," she said.
The Power of Incremental Changes
Leah Hope, 35, shared her experience of losing over 200 pounds by shifting her focus from weight loss to overall well-being. Weighing almost 400 pounds at the time, Hope said she remembers being in pain after just a few hours of walking at the theme park.
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"I just had to end up spending most of the day by myself while my sister's family was out enjoying the park," Hope recalled. "I just left that day saying, 'This is not the life that I want to be living, and if I continue on the path that I'm on, this is what my life is going to continue to look like.'"
Hope started with small, manageable changes, adding one nutritious food to her diet each day and gradually incorporating more healthy habits. "Once that thing didn't feel overwhelming anymore, then I added another thing," Hope said. She then began walking 10 minutes per day and later began writing what she was eating in a food journal.
"What prompted me to try to lose weight naturally was my focus on wanting to get healthy from the inside out, both internally, hormones, organs, all that, and mentally, emotionally, just holistic health, changing my lifestyle overall," Hope said. "And so it seemed like it would make most sense to approach this naturally for myself."
Hope emphasized the importance of finding a personalized approach and consulting with healthcare professionals. As she started to change her lifestyle, Hope began sharing her journey on social media. "Maybe the scale didn't go down this week, but I did 2,000 more steps this day,' or, 'I actually enjoyed this healthy meal that I prepared," Hope said.
Walking Towards a Healthier Life
Shenisha Armealine, 27, from Houston, found success in losing over 200 pounds through consistent walking.
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Armealine said she began walking in 2017, while at her heaviest weight of over 400 pounds. At the time, Armealine said she was not only at her heaviest weight, she had also just survived Hurricane Harvey, which swept through Houston in August 2017, leaving a trail of devastation in its path.
"I lost everything I owned," Armealine told "Good Morning America." "My mental health was not really well, and I just I started walking."Armealine said she started small by committing to walking 15 minutes every day. Slowly, Armealine said her daily commitment developed into a habit and then into a lifestyle. She added jogging into her exercise routine and started to eat better too. With those incremental changes -- in addition to therapy, which she credits with helping her learn new coping skills -- Armealine said she lost 218 pounds over five years.
"My life has a new perspective," she said. "This is not just weight loss or weight gain.
Success Stories from "Good Morning America"
"Good Morning America" has featured several individuals who have achieved remarkable weight loss through various methods. Their stories highlight the importance of finding a sustainable approach that fits individual needs and lifestyles.
Kim Eidson: Regaining Energy and Motivation with the Atkins Diet
Kim Eidson, a nurse from Joplin, Md., had struggled with weight fluctuations, losing and regaining 100 pounds twice. She lost 30 pounds in the first month and had more energy than she'd had before.
Eidson was excited and motivated by her success, and her chronic heartburn stopped when she started to lose weight. She's now in the best shape of her life. Eidson started the diet in March 2007.
Eric Freemyer: Medifast and Family Support
Eric Freemyer, a Dallas attorney, was motivated to lose weight to improve his health and be more active with his family. He was afraid he wouldn't be alive to walk his daughter down the aisle.
A trial attorney, Freemyer said his weight affected the way juries perceived him. Now, he runs a mile every day with his twin 13-year-old sons. Freemyer's brother and sister, who were also overweight, went on the diet and have dropped pounds. Freemyer started the diet in March 2009 when he weighed 315 pounds, going down to 185 pounds in October 2009.
Wendi Tillem: The Younger (Thinner) You Diet
Wendi Tillem, from Monroe Township, N.J., was driven to lose weight after witnessing the devastating effects of Type 2 diabetes on her family. Before her father died last spring, he saw that Wendi was well on her way to a healthy weight and getting fit. Tillem has put her entire family on her diet, and now runs 3 to 4 miles per day. Tillem started out at 270 pounds and lost the weight in 18 months.
Marty Moorehead: Dr. Siegal's Cookie Diet
Marty Moorehead, a cabinet salesman from Gilbert, Ariz., experienced significant health improvements after losing weight, resolving issues such as knee and ankle pain and high blood pressure. Moorehead, who weighed 363 pounds, had been going to doctors for a number of weight-related ailments, from bad knees to ankles and high blood pressure. On some of the visits, he couldn't fit on the X-ray tables. Now, he and his wife walk 3 miles per day, three days a week. He also swims, does sit-ups and uses an elliptical machine. He used to wear a belt that was more than 5 feet long, a belt he still has to remind him how far he has come. Moorehead started the diet in January 2009.
Ken Shooltz: Nutrisystem and a Healthier Future
Ken Shooltz, from Jennings, Fla., improved his cardiovascular health and reduced his blood sugar and cholesterol levels after losing weight. Army in 1992 and now works for the Florida Department of Transportation. After he lost the weight, his blood sugar and cholesterol levels have dropped. He works out every other day, and has gone from a size 50 waist to a size 34. His wife, Christa, also is following his diet, and she has lost significant weight. She went from wearing size 12 clothing to a size 4.
The Role of GLP-1 Medications and Lifestyle Support
The use of GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Zepbound has gained popularity for weight loss. However, experts emphasize the importance of combining these medications with comprehensive nutrition and lifestyle support for long-term success.
A joint advisory from major medical groups highlights the potential for muscle loss, weight regain, and high long-term costs if these medications are used without proper guidance. Many people stop taking GLP-1 medications due to side effects, cost or disappointing results -- and when they do, they often regain weight, making long-term success depend on consistent use and a healthy diet, the report stated.
Dr. Dariush Mozaffarian, a cardiologist and director of the Food is Medicine Institute at Tufts University, stresses that GLP-1s should be used as an adjunct to lifestyle therapy, focusing on overall health rather than just weight loss. The FDA says these drugs are approved for use as an adjunct to lifestyle therapy," he said. "In fact, they are prescribed the other way around with lifestyle therapy being the adjunct if being thought about at all. Doctors are not following either society guidelines or FDA guidelines if they are prescribing [GLP-1s] without lifestyle therapy."
Emily A. Callahan, a registered dietitian nutritionist and director of policy strategy for the Food is Medicine Institute, emphasizes the role of registered dietitians in providing medical nutrition therapy to support GLP-1 therapy. "The evidence space is growing that shows when registered dietitians deliver medical nutrition therapy, it has been associated with improvements in body weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and glycemic control."
The report recommends starting GLP-1 medications at the lowest dose, eating small, frequent meals, and focusing on nutrient-rich foods. It also advises caution for those following intermittent fasting or keto diets, as they may be more vulnerable to gastrointestinal side effects. The report also advised people who may not be getting enough nutrients to consider taking supplements like vitamin D, calcium and multivitamins, while increasing protein intake by 50-100% from foods such as fish, eggs, nuts and seeds.
Maintaining muscle mass and bone density is also crucial during weight loss, with recommendations for strength training and cardio exercises. Focusing on nutrition, physical activity and other healthy lifestyle habits should give GLP-1 users a greater chance of achieving their goals, the report concluded.
Maintaining Weight Loss After GLP-1 Medications
Teresa Shepherd, who lost 90 pounds while taking a semaglutide compound, shared her experience of maintaining her weight loss after stopping the medication.
Shepherd, who lives in Florida, told "Good Morning America" she has been able to maintain her weight loss two months after stopping the medication. "I started working out, so now I work out multiple times a week," Shepherd said of how she's managed to not regain weight. "You have to be mindful of staying with what you've done, and not slipping back in old habits for sure."
Medical experts note that weight regain is possible after stopping weight loss medications, as obesity is a chronic condition.
ABC News chief medical correspondent Dr. Jennifer Ashton, a board-certified OB-GYN and board-certified in obesity medicine, echoed Aronne, saying it's important to understand that obesity is a chronic condition. "This is not candy. This is not like treating strep throat," Ashton said. "So, when people come off a medication that they need to treat a chronic condition -- which the conditions of overweight and obesity are -- of course, rebound weight gain is possible, if not likely."
Ashton suggests a gradual reduction in medication dosage to find the lowest effective dose for maintaining weight loss. "The best dose is the lowest dose of the medication that works," Ashton said.