Best weight loss success stories of 2010

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Best weight loss success stories of 2010

Each week, the AJC posts a reader's weight loss success story. Here are the 10 people profiled who lost the most weight in 2010.

We congratulate the following AJC readers who shared their weight loss success stories with us in 2010.

Brenda D. Smith weighed 373 pounds in May 2005 when this photo was taken, and used to wake up dreading life. After being introduced to a 12-step program for food addiction, she was ready to begin the journey to a healthier life.

Brenda D. Smith weighed 165 pounds when this photo was taken in June 2009, having lost a total of 213 pounds. Smith has cut out white flour and sugar from her diet, and has a personal trainer to help her with her exercise plan. She says losing the weight has made life more fulfilling than she ever could have imagined.

La Dawn H. Hearns weighed 380 pounds when this photo was taken in December 2002. Hearns says, "At my highest weight of 380 pounds five years ago, I was diagnosed with breast cancer." She took a holistic and spiritual approach to change her lifestyle.

La Dawn H. Hearns weighed 169 pounds when this photo was taken in August 2010. She has lost a total of 211 pounds. Hearns switched to a primarily vegan diet and added moderate exercise to her regimen. Her focus now is to maintain her healthy lifestyle as she continues to battle cancer.

Mike and Lesley Williams decided they wanted to get healthy and lose weight, so they began the journey to fitness together. Mike weighed 370 pounds and Lesley weighed 313 pounds.

The Williamses decided to join Weight Watchers and took up exercising. Mike has lost 155 pounds and Lesley has lost 120 pounds, and they continue on their weight loss journey. Combined, they've lost a total of 275 pounds.

Kendra K. Daniel is shown here at 375 pounds in November 2007. After a friend motivated her, she started going to the gym and using the tools on SparkPeople.com to keep track of the calories she consumed.

Kendra Daniel weighed 227 pounds when this photo was taken in October 2009. She has lost a total of 154 pounds. "Saying I'm proud of myself is an understatement," Daniel said.

Paula Hickman weighed 300 pounds in February 2009, and wasn't up to walking at the presidential inauguration.

Paula Hickman weighed 150 pounds when this photo was taken in January 2010. She lost half her body weight! Hickman now finds that "exercise is the norm instead of the abnormal."

Avis Gold weighed 320 pounds when this photo was taken in November 2002. Her mother suggested she join Weight Watchers.

Avis Gold weighed 169 pounds when this photo was taken in August 2010. Weight Watchers donated 150 pounds of food, equal to Avis Gold's weight lost, to Good Samaritan Food Bank as part of their third annual Lose for Good campaign.

Angela Jenifer weighed 334 pounds when this photo was taken in December 2005. Jenifer was on multiple medications and was extremely fatigued.

Angela Jenifer weighed 188 pounds when this photo was taken in June 2010, for a weight loss total of 146 pounds. She works out several times a week and watches what she eats, even when dining out.

Candice McCain weighed 327 pounds when she began her weight loss journey. She was only 24 but had already been diagnosed with high blood pressure.

Candice McCain has lost 144 pounds so far, through Weight Watchers and by adding an excercise regimen to her daily routine.

J.R. Rees weighed 292 pounds in May 2008 when this photo was taken. He says he had been overweight all of his life and at age 30, was suffering from health problems that somebody that young shouldn't have. This motivated him to seek a healthier way of living.

Rees weighed 164 pounds in December 2009 when this photo was taken, for a total weight loss of 136 pounds. At Christmas gatherings, family members and friends didn't even recognize Rees! He joined the Weight Watchers Momentum Walk-It Challenge and so far he has competed in six races.

Tammy Todd weighed 294 pounds in July 2007. On Thanksgiving of that year, Todd realized that her extra weight was making her miserable and she decided to start a diet and fitness plan.

Tammy Todd weighed 172 pounds when this photo was taken in July 2009. She lost a total of 132 pounds. She followed the Weight Watchers diet plan and joined the Curves fitness center. Todd says the dramatic weight loss has had a very positive impact on her life.

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We congratulate the following AJC readers who shared their weight loss success stories with us in 2010.

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