Lavoris L. Swain, 54, of Hampton lost 20 pounds

Current weight: 183 pounds

Pounds lost: 20 pounds

Height: 5 feet, 10 inches

Age: 54 years

How long she's kept it off: She started in July 2014. "I have maintained weight loss between 15 to 20 pounds consistently … My ultimate goal is between 175 to 180 pounds," says Swain.

Personal life: "I am enjoying a new and wonderful life; I just purchased a new home to start my new-found single life. My daughter [and I], are in a new neighborhood after leaving our previous one of 17 years. She loves her school and we are settling in quite well. Life is good. I am an insurance agent/owner with American Family Insurance. My business is located in Riverdale, Ga." She also has two grown children and lives in Hampton, Ga.

Turning point: "I got on the scale and when I saw 200 pounds, that did it for me. I want to be healthy and strong as I age and I know weight gain is not the way."

Diet plan: "Typically, I eat four to five small meals a day, two to three hours apart, along with at least 64 ounces of water a day." Breakfast is oatmeal, grits or cereal. Lunch is fish, chicken or a black bean patty. Snacks include sweet potatoes or sherbet. Dinner includes leafy green vegetables and meat.

Exercise routine: "I do Casi's Straight Military Style Bootcamp (www.casisbootcamp.com); along with four-mile power walks. I make sure to do at least 200 crunches at least three to four times a week. I enjoy dancing which helps. I am always on the go, also. I believe that if we stay active, we have less tendency to gain weight … I have thoroughly enjoyed doing Casi's boot-camp there were women [and men] of all shapes and sizes."

Biggest challenge: "Time — I own and operate a business. Insurance is very demanding. I work very hard aiming for success. I work nights trying to make up for leaving my office by 6 p.m. so that I am not late for camp. I don't mind because I am doing something for my well-being."

How life has changed: "Well, I'm recently happily divorced. I didn't expect it but I embraced it as I do with everything in my life … You only fail if you didn't learn — it's a life-learned lesson." She adds: "Everybody can be successful at weight loss. Your mind has to be in the right place … Proverbs 31:25 says 'she is clothed with strength and splendor and she looks to the future with confidence' I like that; it really stuck with me."