Kendria Miller, 27 , of College Park, Ga. lost 51 pounds

Current weight: 220 pounds

Pounds lost: 51 pounds

Height: 5 feet 2 inches

Age: 27 years

How long she's kept it off: Started in December 2011 and reached her current weight in June 2012

Personal life: Miller recently graduated from a medical assistant program and lives in College Park with her sister, Kendra, who was featured in Success Stories in July (tinyurl.com/kendramillerweightloss). At age 12, she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. "Same symptoms as an MS patient, to the point that my whole right side was paralyzed," she says. "To this day, no doctor knows what was going on when I was 12 years old." In 2008, a test determined she did not have MS. Her eyesight continues to be affected. She now believes it was a virus and plans to study to find cures and help others. "About to start college next year," says Miller. "Want a biology [degree] and eventually I want to go to medical school to be a medical researcher."

Turning point: "I used to be a size 6, I was always a skinny person," she says. "I got sick. They put me on prednisone." The steroids and a love of chicken wings caused weight gain. In 2011, she developed diabetes. "I got this scary feeling. I have no choice — I don't want to be sick. It's time for me to do it. My sister helped me get out there and do it."

Diet plan: She followed the diabetes diet (www.diabetes.org). "When I want my chicken wings, instead of frying them, I bake them until they get really crispy and I put my sauce on them," she says.

Exercise routine: "I actually walk around Shannon Mall, even though it's closed," she says. "My sister and I walk. It keeps your energy level up."

Biggest challenge: "When I first got started, it was tough, it really was," she says. "We got started walking from my house to the stop sign at the end of the street."

How life has changed: "Got off all medicine once I lost the weight," she says. "My glucose/ A1c [went from 8.5 to] 5.4. My doctor said, 'You must really have been out there walking.' I still take it day-by-day … I have a cheat day but I bring it right back … At a point in time, it's all in your mind. It's not easy to get out there, it won't happen overnight. When my sister got out there, I didn't get started — when your health is going downhill, it's time to do what you got to do."