Patricia Principe, 30, of Lawrenceville lost 121 pounds

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Age: 30

How long she's kept it off: "In May 2008, I started Weight Watchers," Principe said. "I have not met my goal weight but am only 15 pounds away."

Personal life: "I live in Lawrenceville, Ga. I enjoy exercising and going to Stone Mountain Park," she said. "I enjoy spending time with my fiance and our cocker spaniel ... I also assist with Relay for Life at my current place of employment." Principe is a teacher.

Turning point: "My turning point was when my 77-year-old grandma at the time was able to hike to the top of a waterfall at a state park and I was way behind trying to keep up," she said. "Dieting has worked for me because I feel so much healthier and confident about myself. My diet and exercise has become a way of life."

Diet plan: Her day begins with cereal and milk. Lunch is a sandwich on wheat with deli meat, yogurt and fruit. Dinner is chicken with vegetables, and she snacks on fruit.

Exercise routine: "I run three days a week and usually do the elliptical or walk on the treadmill for at least 30 minutes two additional days a week. Two days a week, I complete a DVD for weightlifting before work."

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge was learning how to make good choices when going out to eat at a restaurant," she said. "I had to learn it was OK to ask for a food item to be prepared a certain way."

How life has changed: "My life is very different -- I now look forward to going to the gym and completing my exercise," she said. "I am currently training for a half-marathon I am going to complete in February 2013. Before the weight loss, I would have never considered doing one. I am living my life as a healthy individual who knows that through hard work, anything can be accomplished. My secret to success was knowing it was going to take time to get the weight off. After all, I put the weight on over time, and it was going to take time for it to come off."

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 email address, a daytime phone number and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG). Write: Success Stories, c/o Holly Steel, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.