Leslie Bridenbaugh, 67, of Marietta, lost 51 pounds

Pounds lost: 51 pounds

Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Age: 67 years

How long she's kept it off: "Started August 2017 and hit this weight May 2018. I hope to lose an additional five pounds by December 2018," said Bridenbaugh.

Personal life: "I live in Marietta with my husband of 36 years, we have one daughter, who is 28, and lives in Florida. She is engaged to be married in December and I am not worried…about the pictures that will be taken. We are very active in our church, Mt. Zion UMC. I have recently gone back to work part-time at a CPA firm."

Turning point: "The turning point was seeing the before picture and realizing I wasn't happy with how I looked. I had tried other programs in the past but was frustrated by the process and results for me. With the support of my husband, I decided to visit a Sparkle A New You (www.sparkleanewyou.com) meeting that a friend had referred me to. I found the community there to be inspirational. Instead of being about a particular diet plan, or selling you food, it was about changing your lifestyle and thinking differently about food and activity."

Diet plan: "This is not a diet, but a lifestyle." Breakfast is eggs scrambled with spinach, ham or feta cheese. She has coffee with almond milk. Lunch is watermelon with quinoa salad and Persian lime olive oil. Dinner is protein, vegetables and salad.

Exercise routine: "When I started this journey, I didn't exercise and really didn't like to sweat. I've learned that you must do what you can to move. I joined a walking group at my church where, up until I started my new job, I walked indoors 5K per day. I participate in a low-impact dance class once a week. Ray and I try to get in a five mile walk each week." She also does one 5K per month.

Biggest challenge: "More than the food, for me it was about getting off of the couch and moving — learning to sweat and exercise. While calorie intake is critical to weight loss success, and you can lose weight without the exercise, exercising of any form helps… it also helps you to achieve some muscular tone as you lose weight.

How life has changed: "I am much happier, more outgoing and determined. I no longer have the constant pain in my knee. My cholesterol is no longer too high, I am also not pre-diabetic and am hoping to totally get off my blood pressure meds by my next checkup. I wanted to be able to keep up with my younger husband who has been my biggest cheerleader and supporter…I am no longer afraid to try new things — I'll never go back to being a couch potato."

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.