Sheryl Clark, 49, of Smyrna lost 48 pounds

Pounds lost: 48 pounds

Height: 5 feet 8 inches

Age: 49 years

How long she's kept it off: "I started this journey in May 2018 and hit my goal in November 2018," Clark said.

Personal life: "I am a native Atlantan and I live in Smyrna, Ga., with my husband, Jeff, and our 10-year-old son, Tory. Our oldest son is a freshman at Georgia State University, and we have an older daughter who graduated from Savannah State University a few years ago. Both of our sons play football, so our weekends are typically consumed with sporting activities," Clark said. "After 15 years with the Coca-Cola Co., I recently started a new role with Chick-fil-A."

Turning point: "2018 was a tough year for me. My best friend was diagnosed with cancer for the second time and was not doing well. Unfortunately, she passed away in February 2018, and at that point I decided it was time for me to get my life and health in order," Clark said. "I was referred to LockedIN Wellness" and metabolic specialist Nancy Masoud. "I participated in hair analysis that indicated foods where I have specific sensitivities. … It was interesting to find out that foods that I really enjoyed, like bananas, shrimp … caused me to carry extra weight," she said. "Simply staying away from those foods and focusing on the right foods to eat helped me lose the weight."

Diet plan: Breakfast is almond yogurt followed midmorning by an apple. Lunch is salad with grilled chicken, and dinner is protein and two vegetables. "I drink alkaline Smart Water throughout the day because my hair and blood analysis indicated that my body is sensitive to normal drinking water and bottled water," Clark said.

Exercise routine: "Given my schedule, I don't exercise as much as I would like to," Clark said. "Outside of football season, I typically can find time to run and participate in various 5K races — I participated in my very first (Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race) this past July."

Biggest challenge: "Unfortunately, I tend to really enjoy foods that aren't good for me," Clark said. "So, depending on what is going on in my life, I may revert to enjoying those foods more than I should. This can certainly be a struggle, but I've managed to continue on this program and see great benefits."

How life has changed:

“I was confident before, but I feel even more confident now,” Clark said. “… Once the weight came off, I started feeling better about myself. I looked better in my clothes. And, for the first time in a long while, I felt comfortable going to the beach. Next year will be a milestone birthday for me. I am excited to look and feel better than I ever have.”

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.