Atlanta's biggest (weight) losers of 2009

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Atlanta's biggest (weight) losers of 2009

Each week, we profile a metro Atlanta resident who has succeeded in losing weight. Here is a roundup of those who lost the most weight for 2009.

Virginia Rock of Buckhead weighed 400 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in 2001, the year she had gastric bypass surgery. For her, the surgery was the tool she needed to lose the weight and keep it off by creating a "full switch" to help control her appetite.

Virginia Rock lost a total of 230 pounds to weigh 170 pounds when she was profiled this year. While she jump-started her weight loss journey by undergoing gastric bypass surgery in 2001, she's managed to keep the weight off for several years now because she altered her diet and cut out bread, rice, potatoes, pasta and sugar.

Joseph Totter of Oxford weighed over 340 pounds when he began his weight loss journey in February 2008. His desire to lose weight was spurred by health issues, including extremely high blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Totter currently weighs about 180 pounds since reaching his goal in May 2009, a little over a year after he began to lose weight. He lost a total of 159 pounds. How did he do it? He used the KISS principle:(Keep It Simple Stupid). He cut out sugar and eats salads for most meals. Cycling is his passion when it comes to exercise.

Lauralyn Bellamy of Roswell weighed 298 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in 2003. When the almost lifelong dieter saw her weight gains becoming more extreme, she opted for gastric bypass surgery to jump start her weight loss.

The following Atlantans have succeeded in their weight loss goals. Kathy Kinev, 53, of Atlanta weighed 327 pounds in 2004.

Kinev reached her weight loss goal in 2008. Her current weight is 184 pounds. Total weight loss: 143 pounds.

Jennifer Powell of Douglasville weighed 286 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in March 2006. Her upcoming 10-year class reunion motivated her to lose weight. Powell also knew she had polycystic ovarian syndrome, which makes it difficult to lose weight without medical intervention. Her doctor placed her on Glucophage in mid-2006.

Within the first two months after starting the medication, she lost 40 pounds. She used this as inspiration to change her diet by eating smaller portions. She does not buy any special cuisine and exercise is done at home, so her dramatic weight loss did not cost a lot of money to achieve. She used other's doubts that she could lose over a 100 pounds as fuel for inspiration. She says she feels joy and an inner peace now that she's reached her weight loss goal.

Kwoni King of Fairburn weighed 328 pounds when this photo was taken in January 2009. She says she has always struggled with her weight, trying numerous diets to no avail, and even losing 100 pounds only to gain most of it back. For her current weight loss journey, she says "It's for life this time around instead of vanity."

King now weighs 228 pounds, having lost a total of 120 pounds and she's still losing weight. She eats several small meals a day and exercises several days a week. She's determined to keep the weight off this time. Getting healthy will not be a short-term thing for me. It's become a lifelong journey.

Chris Querry of Kennesaw weighed 330 pounds when he began his weight loss journey. After finding out his weight at an annual physical, as a critical care nurse, he knew what he had to do: eat less, move more.

Querry now weighs 215 pounds, losing a total of 115 pounds. He's kept the weight off for almost eight years. He hasn't changed his diet dramatically, he just eats less of the food he enjoys. His exercise consists mainly of walking. He currently is dating someone who also has struggled with their weight so they keep each other motivated.

Tracey Gaines of Atlanta weighed 272 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in January 2007. For her, the key to success was what would make her stick with a particular diet or exercise routine. She says she has probably started 50 diets in her lifetime. A trainer also challenged her to try kettlebells for seven weeks.

Gaines lost 115 pounds in a year and a half and currently weighs 157 pounds. Having been on dozens of diets over the years, she finally found one that works for her: Travis Martin's Thrive! Weight Loss. The kettlebell challenge worked, as Gaines discovered she really enjoys that form of exercise. The biggest revelation for Gaines is how society treats people differently based on how they look.

Sara Corcoran of Johns Creek weighed 244 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in March 2005. Photos from her 40th birthday prompted her to try Weight Watchers again, for the 10th time.

Corcoran lost 114 pounds in about a year and a half. She now weighs 130 pounds. She now works as a Weight Watchers leader, has gone down 11 dress sizes and is attending her high school reunion for the first time. She also discovered her amazing willpower.

Michelle Anderson of Loganville weighed 254 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in November 2004.

Anderson reached her weight loss goal in January 2006, losing a total of 109 pounds and now weighs 145 pounds. Anderson was inspired by a co-worker's weight loss and began working out with a personal trainer. "I am very proud myself and I did it without doing any type of surgery."

Jil Brawner of Locust Grove weighed 265 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in July 2006. Her desire to lose weight was spurred when she could not ride the Pink Pig with her son. She says she didn't want her children to be ashamed of their mother.

Brawner weighed 158 pounds when she was profiled in February 2009. Her goal is to reach 150 pounds. So far she has lost 107 pounds. Brawner joined Weight Watchers and follows their food point system. She drinks a lot of water and eats a lot of salads, but still treats herself to her favorite Mexican food each week. She works out several days a week, including Billy Blanks Tae Bo and walking. She says she has a lot more energy now and hasn't used her asthma medication in a long time.

Todd Smith weighed 276 pounds when he began his weight loss journey in September 2008. Reaching his 40th birthday and suffering with several weight-related health problems made him want to change his lifestyle. Luckily, a Weight Watchers at Work program began at his job site, and he signed up for the 16-week program.

Smith reached his weight loss goal in November 2009. He now weighs 170 pounds, having lost a total of 106 pounds. The Weight Watcher program helped him choose healthier food options than he had previously been consuming, and he also works out almost every day. He says he has a lot more energy now.

Erika S. Hayes weighed 340 pounds when this photo was taken in August 2008.

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Virginia Rock of Buckhead weighed 400 pounds when she began her weight loss journey in 2001, the year she had gastric bypass surgery. For her, the surgery was the tool she needed to lose the weight and keep it off by creating a "full switch" to help control her appetite.

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