Barbara Jean Dobbs, 78, of Covington lost 59 pounds

Current weight: 135 pounds

Pounds lost: 59 pounds

Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Age: 78 years

How long she's kept it off: "It took me a year" to lose the weight, says Dobbs, who has been a member of TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly, www.tops.org), for 25 years. Dobbs started last June and reached her current weight in April.

Personal life: "I have three grown daughters, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. That is one reason I wanted to lose weight: I wanted to see the great-grandchildren grow up. I have been married for 60 years. We had our anniversary April 7 of this year. I lucked out, I got a good husband. I met him when I was 14 and he was 18. He is just a good person, I am so lucky. We got married when I was 17 and he was 21." She lives with her family in Covington.

Turning point: "I was getting too large and I wasn't feeling good. I knew I was too heavy. I started with calorie counting and watching portions and drinking water, lots of water." Although she has been a member of TOPS Inc. for 25 years, over a year ago, with a renewed desire to lose weight, she refocused her efforts to lose weight. "I wanted to do it this time. The other times, I was just messing around. I really got on the ball this time. I knew if I had to get it off, I had to work really hard. I had to do it every hour on the hour."

Diet plan: "For breakfast, I eat oatmeal and sweet toast. I have chicken salad for lunch and a fruit dish with different fruit in it. For supper, I usually have broiled fish or chicken with spinach and creamed potatoes. … I usually eat in a large saucer to cut the portions." She snacks on raisins: "Because they are sweet and (have) a lot of fiber."

Exercise routine: "Just walking. I try to do it at least three times per week. Usually for 20 minutes."

Biggest challenge: "Just trying to lose the weight and keep on doing what I'm supposed to do. It is hard. Like I said, I have to do it every hour on the hour." Every hour on the hour, she recommits herself to her weight-loss plan. This strategy has been a huge part of her success this time around.

How life has changed: "I have more energy than I had before. I was crowned TOPS queen on Jekyll Island in May, just for Georgia. Two of my daughters escorted me down the aisle when I was crowned queen. That was the first time that children had escorted their mother down the aisle. The king usually escorts you down, but I wanted my children to do it." She says her secret to success is just to keep the weight off. Her tips include exercising, drinking water, counting calories and: "just want to do it. You have to want to do this."

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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, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.