Heather Duren lost 93 pounds

Current weight: 139 pounds

Pounds lost: 93 pounds

Height: 5 feet, 1 inch

Age: 31 years

How long she's kept it off: "I reached my current weight about April of this year. I started in 2015," Duren said.

Personal life: "I am now a personal trainer. I teach a boot camp for Anytime Fitness in Adel. I do graphic design for a very successful sign company. … My parents help me out a lot with my little boy — he's my world." She lives in Adel.

Turning point: "While I was pregnant, I put on 60 pounds and went through some personal issues — those personal issues made me who I am today. … After I had (my son), I continued to put on the weight. … Finally, I looked at myself in the mirror one day and I was just disgusted. I have always struggled with my weight; it was up and down. I have tried multiple diets over and over. Finally, in 2015, I said this is it — I am going to make a lifestyle change."

Diet plan: "Usually, I eat a lot for breakfast. I'll eat egg whites, turkey bacon and a protein shake. I'll snack in between on almonds or a banana with peanut butter. For lunch, I'll do My Trainers Meals." If she doesn't buy prepped meals, she makes her own with lean meats and veggies. Dinner is the same as lunch.

Exercise routine: She works out six days a week, doing a mix of strength and cardio. She teaches a boot camp Mondays through Thursdays.

Biggest challenge: "I think my biggest challenge was in the beginning, getting started and being patient. I thought it would happen overnight. Now, I try to stress that with my clients, that it's not going to happen overnight. If it were that easy, everyone would do it. … You can do these three-week diets and, of course, you're going to lose the weight, but it's not going to stick."

How life has changed: "I went from a size 16 down to a size 2. I am smaller now than I was in high school. I have more muscles. This whole journey, I have learned so much about myself. I have learned to love myself. I have so many women that come to me and say, 'How do you do it?' I want to inspire others to be a better person, to learn to love themselves and their bodies."

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