Former weight: 239 pounds

Current weight: 145 pounds

Pounds lost: 94

Height: 5 feet 5 inches

Age: 54

How long she's kept it off: "I started Weight Watchers in October 2010," Dougherty said. "I made my goal weight Feb. 11, 2012. I made lifetime member [in March] and have continued to remain at goal."

Personal life: "I live in Loganville, Ga., with my husband Allen, married 29 years, and our two dogs. We have two children and three grandchildren," she said. "I work for Benchmarc360º Inc., a strategic meeting management company in Atlanta. I am the director of events and lead the global sourcing for the company."

Turning point: "I have struggled with my weight all my life," she said. "In 2001, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer and had my thyroid removed. Again the struggle continued because my metabolism had to be medically regulated. On top of this, I could not exercise because I needed a knee replacement. ... At this point, I was on high-blood pressure medication, and my endocrinologist informed me I was borderline diabetic. I was told I either lost the weight or ran the risk of being put on insulin — what a wake-up call! I left the doctor's office in tears, and at that point, I made up my mind I had to make some big changes in my life ... a lifestyle change."

Diet plan: Breakfast is scrambled eggs and ham or oatmeal. Lunch is a salad with lean protein or leftovers. Dinner is grilled chicken, pork or fish and grilled vegetables.

Exercise routine: "I joined Ladies Workout in Snellville ... and love it," she said. "I started out with just two days a week and have increased it to five days."

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge has been to remember this was a lifestyle change — it is not temporary," she said.

How life has changed: "I am off the high blood pressure and medication for diabetes. I am the smallest I have ever been in my life... I have a much healthier and active lifestyle," she said.

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 Michelle C. Brooks at ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Duck fat is lower in saturated fats than beef tallow, and as far as health benefits are concerned, it is comparable to olive oil. (Handout)

Credit: Handout

Featured

An aerial view captures a large area under construction for a new data center campus on Thursday, May 29, 2025. Developed by QTS, the data center campus near Fayetteville is one of the largest under construction in Georgia. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez