Andrea Clark, 38, of Covington lost 68 pounds

Pounds lost: 68 pounds

Height: 5 feet 10 inches

Age: 38

How long she's kept it off: "I began this journey on Jan. 17, 2019, and have consistently been losing weight the entire year," says Clark, who reached her current weight of 235 pounds in December.

Personal life: "I work at Clayton State University (CSU) as the associate registrar. I'm also a proud alumna of CSU. I love all local sports teams, especially the Falcons, hanging out with my family, and now I absolutely love working out at the Fit Factory Inc. in Conyers, Georgia. I've developed a special bond with the ladies."

Turning point: "I found myself being very inactive, always working at my desk and snacking on junk food to relieve stress and boredom. The turning point for me was I began to experience different medical issues in 2018, including high blood pressure, shortness of breath and fatigue. Also, I was just simply tired of being overweight. I've struggled with my weight for most of my adult life. … I kept seeing one of my friends from my hometown of Eatonton, Georgia, document her weight loss journey on Facebook. She was taking a hip-hop step aerobics class that looked like fun. The young lady who taught the class was starting to teach in a (Conyers) gym near my (Covington) home, the Fit Factory Inc. I decided to try a free class on Jan. 17, 2019, and I've never looked back. I began to follow nutrition plans and incorporate other classes the gym offered."

Diet plan: "I cut out sugar, limited my carbs, and stopped eating out so much. I began to prep my own meals to include leafy greens and lean proteins."

Exercise routine: "I began with hip-hop step aerobics three times a week and then incorporated high-intensity interval training, spin and stretch. I now work out at the Fit Factory Inc. in Conyers, Georgia, for two hours each day, four to five times a week."

Biggest challenge: "Food — I'm an emotional eater, so I eat to celebrate, when I'm stressed, or just bored. I had to learn to 'eat to live,' not 'live to eat.'"

How life has changed: "I definitely feel better physically and I'm currently on zero medications. Also, I love taking full-body photos as opposed to just from my neck up. I plan to continue working out and incorporate more weight training. I would like to eventually have a strictly pescatarian diet. … I've dropped 68 pounds — going from a size 22 to 14. I've found a love for cooking my own meals and working out. Also, I've bonded with many of the ladies at the gym. It's such an encouraging environment."

Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG) and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.