Teresa Painter, 52, of Canton lost 36 pounds

Pounds lost: 36 pounds

Height: 5 feet 2 inches

Age: 52 years

How long she's kept it off: She started in August and reached her current weight in April. "I'm still losing," Painter said. "I want to lose about 15 more pounds."

Personal life: "I currently live in Canton with my husband, Henry, and our rescue dog, Bear. We are empty-nesters. Our son is a hairstylist in Buckhead, and our daughter is a high school assistant principal in Monroe, La.," Painter said. "I enjoy traveling and Alabama football. I'm retired. I travel to Louisiana once or twice a month to see and care for my grandson." She's on Instagram@tee.keto.

Turning point: "My grandson, Haddox," Painter said. "Haddox was born in November 2017. As he got older and more mobile, I needed to be more mobile. I want to be healthy for my grandson."

Diet plan: She does keto, intermittent fasting and gets weekly Lipotropic vitamin B injections from IVMD in Woodstock. "I cleaned out my pantry and refrigerator of processed foods and sugar," Painter said. Instead of breakfast, she has coffee with heavy cream or a keto-based creamer. Lunch is egg salad or chicken salad wrapped in lettuce. Dinner is grilled protein with low-carb veggies. "I typically drink 80 ounces of water a day," Painter said. "… It's OK to cheat and have that piece of birthday cake to celebrate — then hop back on the wagon."

Exercise routine: "I have been working out for about eight months," Painter said. "I typically work out four to five days a week. I am currently working with a personal trainer at Onelife Fitness in Holly Springs. When I am in town, I try to get two sessions in per week. When I'm traveling, I do a lot of walking. I completed my first 5K ever in March of this year."

Biggest challenge: "Getting to the gym — once I get to Onelife Fitness, I'm golden and hate to leave. … (It's) mind over matter," Painter said. "I'm not going to break this promise to my grandson to be fit and happy for him. I'm fueled by real food, strong heart and much love."

How life has changed: "I have so much more energy and less joint pain as a result of cutting carbs, sugar and losing weight. I can actually carry, keep up with, and play on the floor with my grandson," Painter said. "My husband, Henry, has lost weight also as a result of my new cooking habits. I have also been able to reduce my blood pressure medicine in half. My BMI is down four points, and I'm actually considered fit instead of overfat. I can actually wear single-digit pants now. I am planning on running another 5K in October. My mental and physical health is forefront in everything I do now."

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.