Amy Caplan, 39 of Fayetteville loses 33 pounds

By Michelle C. Brooks

For the Journal-Constitution

Former weight: 151 pounds

Current weight: 118 pounds

Pounds lost: 33 pounds

Height: 5 feet 3 1/2 inches

How long she's kept it off: Over a year. Started in June 2005 and met her goal in November 2005. Then had her second child and started again in February 2007 and reached her goal in April 2007.

Personal life: "I stay at home with Courtney, 4 years, Lyla, 2 years, and Bobo and Wally, our dogs," she says. Her husband, Brad, is a pilot for Delta. She and her family live in Fayetteville.

Turning point: When her first baby arrived 8 weeks early and had to stay in the hospital, Caplan turned to food to cope. "When Courtney was around 6 months old, someone asked when I was due," she says. "I saw an ad for Nutrisytem and called that day."

Diet plan: A typical day includes pancakes with fruit and yogurt for breakfast. For a mid-morning snack, she has fruit and dairy. Lunch is cheese tortellini and salad. Dinner is pizza with salad and vegetables. For dessert, she has caramel popcorn or chocolate.

Exercise routine: "When I started Nutrisystem, I walked almost everyday," she says. "Now I walk-jog 2 days a week and do light weights 1 to 2 times per week."

Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge was making the decision to do it — just getting started," she says. "After the food arrived and I started, I stuck to it, because it was simple to follow. I just wanted to keep up with my girls. I did not want to miss out on their lives because I was unhealthy."

How life has changed: "I am able to take Mommy and Me swim lessons with my girls for the first time. I got certified in scuba," she says. "November 2008, I ran the ZOOMA Atlanta half marathon in just over 2 hours. In March 2009, I ran the ING Atlanta half marathon with my husband. We have now been able to take family vacations to the beach and I am able to concentrate on my family and not my belly."

Be an inspiration: If you've made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Suzanne Van Atten, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sixth Floor, 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303; or e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.