Jil Brawner, 33, of Locust Grove, sheds 107 pounds

Former weight: 265 pounds

Current weight: 158 pounds

Pounds lost: 107

Height: 5 feet 4 inches

How long she’s kept it off: “I started Weight Watchers on July 20, 2006,” says Brawner. “I haven’t made my goal weight yet; I still have eight more pounds to go to be at 150 [pounds].”

Personal life: Brawner works for a credit union. She’s been married to her husband, Tracey, for 10 years and they have two boys, Wyatt and Braxton. She and her family live in Locust Grove.

Turning point: “In December 2005 my oldest son wanted to ride the Pink Pig at Macy’s during Christmas. He was too little to ride by himself so I had to ride with him,” says Brawner. “I couldn’t fit in the seat with him. I was [squishing] him and I was so embarrassed, I cried. After that, I started to really look at pictures of myself and the way I looked. I had just really let myself go after I had my second son. I didn’t want them to grow up and be ashamed of their Mama.”

Diet plan: For breakfast she has grits or cereal. “I love salads, so I eat salads with black beans or chicken, or a sandwich with double-fiber bread with fat-free Pringles for lunch,” she says. And supper depends on how many points she has left for the day. “I drink about 64-96 ounces of water a day; I used to never drink water and now I love drinking it. Every week you get bonus points and I love Mexican, so I still have my Moe’s or Mexican restaurant fix every week. I don’t feel like I am on a diet.”

Exercise routine: “My boys know that every night, Mama gets one hour to herself to work out,” says Brawner. “I walk 2 miles at work while I am at lunch and I do Billy Blanks’ TaeBo about six days a week.”

Biggest challenge: “I remember walking into Weight Watchers scared to death. I didn’t want to tell anybody that I was joining just in case I failed. That was my biggest step,” she says. “My biggest challenge [now] is around the holidays. I drink a lot of water before we eat so I won’t be that hungry and overdo the eating.”

How life has changed: “I love shopping for new clothes; I wear sleeveless shirts now and I wear bathing suits and [I am] not embarrassed. I feel better about myself. I have more energy,” she says. “I haven’t had to use my rescue asthma medicine in a long time, which is great.”

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 story with us. Briefly tell us your goal (weight loss, an athletic achievement, overcoming a health problem, etc.), how you achieved it and how long you’ve maintained it. Include a daytime phone number and before and after photos. E-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.

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Be an inspiration: 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.

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