Terri Jo Bever, 65, of Marietta lost 41 pounds

Pounds lost: 41 pounds

Height: 5 feet 7 inches

Age: 65 years

How long she's kept it off: "I started with Sparkle A New You on Jan. 9," Bever said.

Personal life: "I am a retail consultant for the travel industry, mostly stores in airports where you go to buy your magazines and books," Bever said. "I am currently married to Bruce, for 36 years. We have three children, and along with their spouses, three awesome grandgirls — two of which live nearby so I have been labeled the swim grandma — and, of course, four granddogs and two dogs of our own."

Turning point: "My turning point was after putting on weight during the 2017 holidays," Bever said. "I hated how I felt, how I looked in clothes, and what this weight was doing to my health, mentally and physically. I had gotten healthy at the age of 50 because I didn't want to end up with the same diseases as my parents, but then at age 54 had a health setback — cancer — and put on over 60 pounds overnight, at least that's how it felt. So I decided in December 2017 that I needed to do something, and I found wellness coach Jacynta Harb and Sparkle A New You. I went to my first meeting in January and haven't looked back since."

Diet plan: "First, it's not a diet plan — it's a way of life," Bever said. "A diet is a way of depressing your appetite — I actually eat more now than before and the pounds melted away." She starts her day with eggs or oatmeal. Lunch and dinner are a salad with protein.

Exercise routine: "I walked prior to this, but not on a consistent basis," she said. "Jacynta put out a challenge at our first meeting to complete a 5K a month. It didn't matter if you walked, ran or crawled. So I took on the challenge and a 5K. The Polar Bear Run in January was my very first. February was the Walton Raider Chase 5K, and then I signed up for a 10K and then a 10-miler and I ended up the year with a half-marathon."

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge was getting my brain on straight," Bever said. "I knew from previous attempts if I didn't throw myself totally into it and give it 110 percent, that I would fail. So I did and still do on a daily basis — that and portion control."

How life has changed: "I love how I feel, how I look and how much I can do," she said. "My family is proud of me. My grandgirls can't believe that I can walk and run as far as I do. Mostly, I am proud of myself. I tell them if you put your mind to it, you can achieve anything. … I saw my parents pass away at early ages. My mom led a healthy lifestyle, but I am doing everything in my power to stay healthy and be around for another 30-plus years."

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.