Ilene S. Zeff, 54, of Decatur lost 20 pounds

Pounds lost: 20 pounds

Height: 5 feet

Age: 54

How long she's kept it off: "I began this journey in February 2019 and reached my goal weight over the summer," Zeff said.

Personal life: "I am a library media specialist in the City Schools of Decatur, where I also live with my husband," Zeff said. "We have two sons — one works in Atlanta and the other is away at school."

Turning point: "In fall of 2018, when my younger son left for college, I felt like I had just finished a 20-plus-year marathon," Zeff said. "I had been taking care of everything and everyone besides myself and struggled to figure out how to get back to a healthy place. … In January 2019, I went to the doctor and learned about my weight and also unhealthy bloodwork. I have read this column for years and was always interested in Jacynta Harb's Sparkle a New You program. I liked this program because it's not just about weight but about your overall life, and I knew I needed to change mine. Although attending her classes in Roswell was not an option, I was able to do telephone coaching. … She checked in on me through the app My Fitness Pal."

Diet plan: Breakfast is a hard-boiled egg, fruit, vegetables and coffee. Dinner is chicken or fish, half a sweet potato and vegetables; lunch is leftovers.

Exercise routine: "I prefer to be active outside, and I try to do only the exercises I truly enjoy," Zeff said. "Rather than spend my time walking for an hour after work, I started walking to work and from work. The more I did it, the more I looked forward to it. I've always enjoyed cycling, and over the summer I joined a Meet-Up group for over-50 cyclists. I've met some really great people and have increased my mileage and stamina. I attend various fitness classes at the Decatur YMCA. … I also enjoy walking around, or up, Stone Mountain."

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenges are separating my emotional needs from my nutritional needs, which include my unhealthy relationship with sugar. … I have always loved to bake and have had to really change my attitude toward that … with sugar; it's getting to the point where I have to avoid it completely," Zeff said. "When I was younger, I could eat sugar and still maintain a healthy weight, but this is just not possible anymore."

How life has changed: "I am back to a weight that feels like me, although this time I have healthy eating habits to match. My bloodwork is back to the normal range," Zeff said. "I am learning how to take care of myself physically, mentally and spiritually, and feel healthier now than I can ever remember."

Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.