Jane Prescott lost 36 pounds

Current weight: 165 pounds

Pounds lost: 36 pounds

Height: 5 feet 6 inches

Age: 68 years

How long she's kept it off: Prescott started her weight loss journey in September 2016. She reached her current weight in January of this year.

Personal life: "I am currently divorced, and live with my 17-year-old cat in Duluth, Ga. … I have two daughters and four grandchildren," Prescott says. "I retired in 2015. I was an assistant for lawyers for 17 years, and then an office manager for an industrial real estate company for 25 years."

Turning point: "I was feeling so bad. I couldn't sleep. I had no energy. I just was tired all the time — I didn't want to get up." Her doctor suggested that she meet with a metabolic specialist in his office. "Working with Nancy Masoud, at Real Health Medical, helped me be determined to see this through. … I have maintained the same weight without trying. … I think a lot of women would understand where I am coming from, being tired all the time — I think they can probably relate to that pretty well."

Diet plan: "My diet plan was different than any traditional diets I have done in the past." Breakfast is fruit and yogurt, or an egg. Lunch is salad with protein. Dinner is protein and vegetables. She has two cups of vegetables. "It is a lifestyle change, it truly is, I just feel so much better. … It is amazing the difference — it all comes down to diet."

Exercise routine: "I did not exercise during this time. I now do because I have much more energy. I've been trying to walk at least three times per week. I try to walk 3 to 5 miles per day. … I do not go to a gym, but I have weights at home. I will work with weights for my arms two to three times per week."

Biggest challenge: "My biggest challenge was not cheating, and making sure I eat enough during the day. But after a month, it was very easy to follow the diet — most of the cravings went away."

How life has changed: "I have so much more energy and feel better by eating healthy food. Cutting out sugar and carbs is the best thing I could do for myself. I can now walk for longer periods of time and get down on the floor and play with my youngest grandson. I am proud of my accomplishment. My goal is not to go back to the eating habits I used to have. I will definitely stick to this to try and stay healthy, and live longer. I want to see my grandchildren grow up. It gets so much easier as the days go by … you start feeling better. … One day you wake up and say this is the day. You challenge yourself and determine that you're not going to give up … and now I did it."

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 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30346-1301; or e-mail Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.