Kim Fouché, 48, of Lithonia lost 164 pounds

Pounds lost: 164 pounds

Height: 5 feet 9 nine

Age: 48 years

How long she's kept it off: She started in January 2017 and reached her current weight this month.

Personal life: "I'm a mother of two boys, 18 and 20, and I work for a staffing firm," Fouché said. "I live in Lithonia."

Turning point: "I never worked out for 46 years," Fouché said. "… I never moved, that was the reason for my weight gain." In 2003, she had a gastric bypass. "Your body is wonderful, it adapts. … I started gaining weight again," she said. "… What motivated me to go to Orangetheory Fitness, I was tired of being the same weight. I love wearing maxi dresses. I was tired of going to size 22, then to size 24 — I really didn't want to go to size 26 the next year. I was tired of being uncomfortable in my skin, honestly. … It motivated me to do the free one-hour class. I wasn't going to tell anyone I'll just do it for a month. I really enjoyed it. … I was going down in sizes, I kept going down. Maybe this is real." Last year, a mammogram discovered pre-cancer cells. Removal of nodules and radiation soon followed. "I worked out the entire time," Fouché said. "… I was tired, I think it was mentally. … I'm addicted to the endorphins, It's my new drug of choice, it's not food."

Diet plan: Breakfast is eggs, an avocado or oatmeal. She usually has chicken or salmon on a salad for lunch, and dinner is just protein. Often, she'll have steamed shrimp. "The main thing is a gallon of water and 90 grams of protein per day," she said.

Exercise routine: She works out five days per week. She also tracks steps on her Fitbit with a goal of 14,000 daily. "Any conventional gym is not for me. … I need to be told what to do," Fouché said. "I don't like the one on one with a trainer, it's too much attention. When I saw that a coach is going to be with me and tell me what to do," she knew that was the workout for her.

Biggest challenge: "It's probably accepting that I have had dramatic results with weight loss," Fouché said. "It is mentally accepting that I am smaller."

How life has changed: "I have more energy. I sleep a lot more. I used to stay up all night and watch TV and be sluggish. I have more energy. I am getting more rest," Fouché said. "My day starts around 5 a.m. I go to bed around 8:30 p.m. or 9 p.m. I used to sit around, watch movies and eat. … What has changed is my hobbies. My hobbies have changed to go get salads and go to the gym. Deliberate progress is slow, but you persevere until something happens. … Hard work pays off. Do it for you. … If your center is not full, you are not good for anyone, just do it for you — you're worth it."

Share Your Success: Each week, Success Stories focuses on an individual’s unique weight loss journey. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution does not endorse any specific weight loss program but includes names and links for the benefit of readers who want further information. Have you lost weight successfully with a healthy lifestyle change? If you would like to share your story with our readers, please include your email address, phone number, and before and after photos (by mail or JPEG), and contact us at: Success Stories, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, 223 Perimeter Center Parkway, Atlanta, GA, 30346-1301; or email Michelle C. Brooks, ajcsuccessstories@gmail.com.