Dropping lbs: Weight loss success stories

A victim of cyberbullying in 2014, she promised herself she would build healthy lifestyle habits. The 49-year-old also found a passion for hiking along the way.

Food was a reward while raising her children and caring for her husband, who had a chronic illness. His death and that of a friend inspired her to change.

Night school and a sedentary job as a technician at a semiconductor company led to his weight gain following high school. Then he went to Great Adventure.

Serious diabetic episodes, high blood sugar readings and being put on medication prompted the 38-year-old to research his illness. It led him to a plant-based diet to reverse type 2 diabetes.

The group home senior manager stopped eating processed food, junk food and fast food after the Super Bowl. She then got workout and nutrition help from the academy.

The Brookhaven man had temporary success with Weight Watchers, Isagenix and liquid diets. Worries over his family history of diabetes and other issues spurred a permanent solution.

An underactive thyroid coupled with two pregnancies made it hard to lose weight for the Island Park woman, who works as an independent director at Pampered Chef.

The 31-year-old, who is also an appearance-savvy makeup artist, eventually said, "I can't do this anymore," after her weight hit a lifetime high.

A former athlete, the South Ozone Park woman went to an emotional-eating therapist after gaining back weight she lost from lap band surgery.

The IT company manager's weight was in check until a skating accident when he was 19.