Jeffrey Hill, 45, of Norcross, Ga. lost 72 pounds

Pounds lost: 72 pounds

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Age: 45 years

How long he's kept it off: "Started my journey in April 2012," says Hill. "I've kept it off since October 29, 2012."

Personal life: "I reside in Norcross, Ga. I am single, no kids. I love my new life and the outdoors," he says. "I am a store manager at Savvi Formalwear in Atlanta."

Turning point: "I was admitted to the ER in March of 2012 with dangerously high blood pressure," he says. "They struggled to get it down. I made up my mind, when I was admitted to the hospital, to turn my life and health around. I wanted to live and be healthy."

Diet plan: "I use Weight Watchers for men - I love it," he says. "The plan makes me think and consider, or reconsider, what I'm about to put into my mouth to eat. Typical breakfast is a piece of fresh fruit, usually banana or an apple, with one tablespoon of peanut butter and one serving of oatmeal. Snacks - one ounce of almonds or walnuts and piece of fruit. Lunch is a salad with greens: kale, spinach and veggies. Dinner is six ounces of boneless, skinless roasted chicken breast and steamed veggies. I drink water all of the time, occasionally unsweet, yes unsweet, tea. I keep fresh fruit and almonds or walnuts handy for healthy snacking. I love veggies steamed and always look for healthy ways to satisfy my sweet tooth … At home, I keep active and stay hydrated. Boredom and thirst are triggers to eat when you're not even hungry.

Exercise routine: "Three to four times a week I usually begin with core exercises to warm up, stretching, medicine ball, abs, rope, free-weights, cardio, then cool-down. Swimming is great exercise and I have enrolled in an aqua boot camp class. I like to work on improving my strokes and techniques."

Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge for me was procrastination in the beginning. Once I made up my mind, it all flowed from there. I had heard about the dreaded plateau, but luckily, I didn't experience that. My biggest challenge is finding healthy choices and alternatives when going out. You have to be vigilant and serious."

How life has changed: "Oh my life has changed for the better," he says. "I sleep so much better, I stand with better posture, and I look forward to each day with a smile and a challenge. I also love to inspire and encourage others as they go through their own journeys. My next goal is to participate in a 5K walk/run this fall. I also want to try cross fit. My secret to success was the encouraging words and smile from my mom and my sisters … Prayer helps tremendously. I incorporate it into my routine."