Stacey Lumley of Buford loses 56 pounds

Height: 5 feet 6 inches

How long she's kept it off: 1 1/2 years. She started in January 2007 and met her goal in May 2008.

Personal life: Lumley is a promotions director for Mad Housewife wine (www.madhousewife cellars.com). She also sings in a local band. She's been married for 21 years to David Lumley. They have four children: Laura, 17; Heather, 16; Christopher, 14; Jennifer, 12; and dog Riley. She and her family live in Buford.

Turning point: "[I] spent January 2007 to August 2007 swearing I could do it on my own. Realizing when I saw the vacation pictures I couldn't just change my eating and exercise on my own — I needed support and accountability," Lumley said. She attended her first Weight Watchers meeting in August 2007.

Diet plan: "I don't like being told exactly what to eat every day; I couldn't follow one of those magazine diets or quick weight-loss gimmicks," she said. "I never do without my morning coffee and creamer or my evening glass of wine." She follows the Weight Watchers' eating guidelines, which include five servings of fruits and vegetables daily, low-fat protein and counting points.

Exercise routine: "I didn't even exercise heavily until I'd lost the first 25 pounds," she said. "I just took walks with my dog. Now that I'm not ashamed to be in workout gear, I joined a gym and work out for 1 hour at least 3 times a week."

Biggest challenge: "Once I reached my goal, I thought I could go off the diet. Weight Watchers is not a diet; it is a lifestyle I have to continue for life."

How life has changed: "I have so much more confidence, and my kids are proud to introduce me to their friends. I now have a fabulous job, which I absolutely love," she said. Lumley is a local Mad Housewife model for events in the Atlanta area. "I'm the Georgia Mad Housewife. Imagine me — a former fat girl — being a model. One of many great opportunities I have had as a direct result of losing weight."

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 Suzanne Van Atten, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Sixth Floor, 72 Marietta St. N.W., Atlanta, GA 30303; or e-mail ajcsuccess stories@gmail.com.