Age: 24
Occupation: secretary at Nipissing University, North Bay, Ont.
Previous weight: 195 lb
New weight: 118 lb
Time period: ongoing since January 2011

Check out Kayley's before photo here.

Where she started
"I realized how much my weight actually bothered me," says Kayley. "Food seemed to make me happy while I ate, but then I felt horrible for eating so much and I had no urge to exercise. Ultimately, I decided to take charge."

How she did it
"I started running outside three times a week, then I ran a 10 K race in May 2012 and a halfmarathon in October. With three kids at home, I was looking not only to shed pounds but also to give my mind a break. And I needed a way to expend energy. Running gives me relief. I also slowly stopped counting calories and using artificially sweetened foods. I now focus on unprocessed foods."

Where she is now
"I followed the Insanity Workout on DVD. I weigh myself each Monday morning to ensure my eating hasn’t strayed on the weekend," says Kayley. "For added support, I also check in with other healthy-minded people on the MyFitnessPal app on my iPhone."

Lessons she learned
• "To avoid indulging, I craft alternatives. At my son’s birthday, instead of eating cake, I made myself muffins with oats and Greek yogurt."
• "I’m no longer tempted at the cafeteria. I make my lunch the night before and record all of my food in MyFitnessPal."
• "Feeling good about yourself is a big part of your life. It affects the way you parent and your relationship with your partner because you’re not hating the way you look."