Former weight: 286 pounds
Current weight: 176 pounds
Pounds lost: 110 pounds
Height: 5 feet, 4 inches
How long she's kept it off: "I started my serious commitment to my weight loss when I turned 38 years old," McEachern said. "I gave myself until my 40th birthday, December 2009, to reach my goal of size 12 or less. I reached my goal in 10 months, July 2009."
Personal life: "I am a third-grade teacher in Clayton County, Ga. I am married to Tracey McEachern. We have three beautiful daughters: Toiya, Traci and Lauren. I am a native of Georgia and an [alumna] of Georgia State University."
Turning point: "The turning point in my life was after having my last daughter and being too tired to get up and warm a bottle," she said. "I had difficulty buckling the car seat without huffing and puffing, not to mention having a shortness of breath while carrying the baby up the stairs from the garage."
Diet plan: "I joined Casi's Straight Military Style Bootcamp (www.casisbootcamp.com) and she offered me a full-meal plan and journal for the entire six weeks," she said. "It made me accountable for my eating."
Exercise routine: "I started out working out seven days a week for at least 30 minutes," she says. "I have since gone to five days per week for approximately 90 minutes. I have combined cardio with strength training."
Biggest challenge: "The biggest challenge was getting over the embarrassment of not being able to keep up with the other ladies in the aerobics classes," she said. "I wanted so badly to be able to last an entire hour without stopping for a breath or drink of water. That was a personal goal of mine. I finally reached it and am now able to run four miles and do a spin class without taking a break."
How life has changed: "I have always been a happy-go-lucky person, but I can tell that my energy level has increased exponentially," she says. "It has spilled over into my professional life. I have enrolled my youngest daughters in extracurricular activities to encourage them to be active and fit."
Be an inspiration: If you've made positive changes in your diet and/or fitness routine and are happy with the results, please share your success with us. Include your e-mail address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or e-mail ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.
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