Lauren Baker of Lawrenceville loses 64 pounds

Height: 5 feet 8

How long she's kept it off: Baker focused on losing weight in March 2011 and by fall 2011 had reached her first goal of 150 pounds. She recently reached her current weight.

Personal life: "I am an installation coordinator for product sales of interactive whiteboards and other products with my company, Logical Choice Technologies," Baker said. "I am currently single and living in Lawrenceville with my cat, Chevy."

Turning point: "I began my journey December 2010. ... That was a turning point when I purchased my first scale in years and saw just how much I had let myself go," she said. "... My size 14 jeans were starting to become tight and tears welled up in my eyes at the thought of purchasing a larger size. My body mass index was already in the obese range and I knew I was hurting my body by being overweight."

Diet plan: "My diet plan was pure calorie-counting while eating healthier," she said. "A typical day of eating includes a vegan protein shake with an assortment of fruits for flavor. Lunch is a salad with quinoa, mushrooms, broccoli, cherry tomatoes, sunflower seeds and balsamic vinaigrette dressing. Dinner is usually a form of meat with veggies [and] I  drink at least 80 ounces of water a day."

Exercise routine: "I started my journey with Jillian Michael's DVDs in the comfort of my own home. I eventually joined Gold's Gym in August 2011 and started to work with a personal trainer," she said. "Twice a week I focus on weight training with my personal trainer. I then try to have cardio sessions at the gym, on my own, three times a week."

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge is staying motivated," she said. "Staying fit and healthy is not just a one-time diet. It's a new lifestyle to follow and enjoy."

How life has changed: "I used to be an emotional eater and those days are long gone," she said. "One of my favorite changes comes from reading fashion magazines and thinking to myself, 'I can actually wear these clothes and styles now!'"

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 Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, Ga., 30346-1301; or e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.