Beth Packer Lost 100 Pounds

Name: Beth Packer, 38

Location: Virden, IL

Worst of times: 252 pounds

(November 1997)

Best of times: 150 pounds (2001)

My turning point: Getting on the scale at my mom’s house and seeing how much I gained over the years. I started dieting the following Monday to prove to myself that I could do it.

My slim-down techniques: Counting calories, doing lots of exercise, and never, ever letting my weight exceed 155 pounds. For the first three months, I ate no more than 1,000 calories a day from healthy foods and drank at least 64 ounces of water. Then, I gradually began to eat 1,500 calories a day, but never more.

Kept the weight off: One year so far

My best motivator: Compliments from my family. When my 10-year-old daughter, McKenzie, hugged me one day and said, “Mommy, I can put my arms all around you now,” I realized that I’d been fat her whole life.

My greatest temptations: Baked goods. I don’t keep cakes in the house anymore, and I buy only light whole-wheat bread. If I nibble on a slice, I make sure I count those 80 calories.

My favorite diet food: Grilled whole catfish with lemon and seasoning. Just wrap it in foil that’s lightly sprayed with oil and throw it on the grill for 30 minutes.

My snacking tips: I munch on light microwave popcorn or sugar-free Jello if I get hungry between meals.

My exercise routine: Four-mile jog in the morning, weights and sit-ups in the afternoon, and a brisk four-mile walk at night. Also, two hours of aerobics weekly.

Stay-slim advice: Find a program that you can control. Then, take it slow, do your exercise, and continue your routine for life.

The payoff: Being able to wear size 10 Tommy Hilfiger jeans—with my shirt tucked in!