Tamara Rogers Lost 170 Pounds

Name: Tamara Rogers, 37

Location: Oak Ridge, TN

Worst of times: 320 pounds

Best of times: 150 pounds

My turning point: After I gave birth to my second child, I stepped on a scale and realized I had let my weight exceed 300 pounds. My husband (also overweight) and I decided we had to do something. We didn’t want our children to grow up the same way we did--with bad eating habits.

My slim-down techniques: Completely cutting out regular soda and fast-food restaurants, eating lots of fresh vegetables, and replacing snacks like Oreo cookies with fruits, raisins, and animal crackers.

Kept the weight off: 6 months, so far.

My best motivator: My two kids, I want to make sure I’m healthy so I can watch them grow up. I also receive a lot of support from my husband since we’re dieting together.

My greatest temptations: Fried, breaded seafood. Now, instead of eating it deep fried, I’ll have it steamed, sauteed or grilled.

My favorite diet food: Low-fat nacho chips covered with salsa, kidney beans and melted fat-free shredded cheddar cheese. It tastes great and has fewer calories than the kind you get at a restaurant.

My weight-loss trick: I serve meals on kid-size plates. It not only makes my dish look full, but it makes me feel like I’m eating a lot more than is actually there. My exercise routine: Putting on music at night and dancing with the kids. Also, parking on the opposite side of the mall from where I plan to shop and walking. Any chance I have to get up and move, I do.

Stay-slim advice: Eat things you love--just in moderation. I used to polish off a whole bag of pretzels dipped in peanut butter every day. Now I’ll measure out one serving of pretzels and skip the dipping.

The payoff: Being able to play with my kids. Before, I couldn’t even run around the yard and chase after them. Today, I can put on my bathing suit, like how I look, and keep up with them in the pool!