Julia Stewart, 37, of Marietta lost 29 pounds

Current weight: 196 pounds

Pounds lost: 29 pounds

Height: 5 feet 4 inches

Age: 37 years

How long she's kept it off: "It sounds crazy, but I started in the summer of 2008. I lost weight, but sadly put it back on and kept it on for a couple of years," said Stewart. "I have quite a few races this year that will help me finish."

Personal life: "My husband Steven and I have been married for 11 years this June and we have two children: Tori, 19 and Nate, 8. I am a sales manager for a technology reseller." She lives in Marietta.

Turning point: "I struggled with my weight once I started having kids, as is the case for most women. The turning point came when my second child was born. I stayed home with him for the first year and it was so easy to just eat fast food and processed foods. I can still remember the moment when we went to Florida, to see my parents [for] a beach vacation, and when I got out of the car, my mother's expression said it all. She hadn't seen me in almost a year and told me she couldn't believe how much I'd changed. The day after we got home from our vacation, I went to a group where I met Jacynta Harb (www.sparkleanewyou.com) and my life changed for the better."

Diet plan: "Within the last year, I've started If It Fits Your Macros (www.iifym.com) and count macronutrients in addition to calories … I typically eat the same things each day. Some people would find this hard to manage, but it helps me feel in control."

Exercise routine: "One of my goals when I started my fitness journey was to start running. As a result, I run three times a week and do yoga or cross-training three times a week."

Biggest challenge: "Food was the worst part when I started out. I honestly had no idea how to eat healthy and thought you had to eat lettuce leaves to lose weight."

How life has changed: "When I first started, I honestly believed you could out-train a bad diet. I have since learned that hard work and being honest with yourself, are the keys to succeeding — not just in losing weight, but in getting healthy," she said. "I am so much happier — not because I am smaller and have fun shopping for clothes, but because I've done things like completed three races during Princess Half Marathon weekend — 22.4 miles total for the weekend. My husband and kids are so much more active, we love doing 5Ks together now."