Success Stories/Deanna Tyson, 46, of Atlanta lost 34 pounds

Current weight: 142 pounds

Pounds lost: 34 pounds

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Age: 46 years

How long she's kept it off: She started September 2014. "I'm a work in progress; hit 142 pounds about four weeks ago," said Tyson.

Personal life: "I live in Atlanta; I am an esthetician and I work for Institut' DERMed. I'm a mom of two and I have two, four-legged babies."

Turning point: "I've always had a very healthy lifestyle … but I've had to really watch my diet my entire life — it's never come easy for me. About six to seven years ago, I ended up having a garden in my backyard. I got into eating very healthy foods," she said. Despite clean eating, she gained weight and felt fatigued. "My mom was diagnosed with stage four breast and ovarian cancer. I moved back to take care of my mom … I met a lady who was also an esthetician who was absolutely stunning, her skin was beautiful, she was physically fit. I asked her what was her secret, and she gave me Dr. Donohue's phone number; she said 'he turned my life around' … Dr. Donohue and Nancy Masoud, board certified health coach and nutrition counselor (www.atlhealthcoach.com), were so nice to me … My hormones were playing havoc on my body." She began hormone replacement therapy and a weight-loss program.

Diet plan: Her day starts with coffee and cream followed by Greek yogurt with fruit. Mid-morning she has sliced veggies. Lunch is a salad with chicken or shrimp and dinner is fish or chicken with vegetables.

Exercise routine: "Currently, I exercise every day," she said. She lifts weights three times a week, enjoys walking and exercise DVDs.

Biggest challenge: "There's the panic when everyone is wanting to meet at the wing place, 'what am I going to eat there as well' that has been a challenge. You realize where you are with food and where you are with this process — you can always find something [healthy]."

How life has changed: "I'm a lot more social now. I am a lot easier on myself … I find that I love myself a lot more on multiple levels … It has really boosted my confidence and self-esteem. I have come to believe I can really do anything I put my mind to … Have faith in yourself. If you are struggling with your weight, go figure out why you are struggling. There are people that can help … I don't ever desire to go back to feeling how I felt prior to my hormone replacement."