Dropping lbs: LIers share weight-loss success stories

Susan Quinn, 50, of Deer Park, is pictured in December 2017, when she weighed 235 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 50-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Ryan Knakal, at left, in December 2017, when he weighed 275 pounds, and after his more than 45-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Nakkia Smith, at left, in July 2016, when she weighed 360 pounds, and after her more than 170-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Tom Hardy, 51, of Port Jefferson Station, is pictured in November 2016, when he weighed 327 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 100-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Ryan ONeil, 49, of Mastic Beach, is pictured in November 2016, when he weighed 343 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 120-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Matilde Tysz, 51, of Stewart Manor, at left in June 2015 when she weighed 280 pounds, and after her 100-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Jill Perry-Eising, 51, of Deer Park at left in April 2017 when she weighed 298 pounds, and after her more than 120-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Daniel Navas, 19, of Center Moriches, at left in January 2017 when he weighed 287 pounds, and after his 55-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Danny Polizzi, 34, of Mastic, at left in November 2016 when he weighed 215 pounds, and after his 35-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Michael Katz, 66, of Seaford, at left in December 2016 when he weighed 230 pounds, and after his 50-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Mary Myer, 56, of Ronkonkoma, at left in August 2016 when she weighed 276 pounds, and after her more than 100-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Nicholas Castellino, 25, of Bay Shore, at left in March 2016 when he weighed 266 pounds, and after his more than 80-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Donna Amoscato, 37, of Shirley, at left in April 2016 when she weighed 196 pounds, and after her more than 40-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Katherine Mescia, 55, of West Babylon, at left in June 2016 when she weighed 255 pounds, and after her more than 50-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Anthony and Catherine Catanese, of Sayville, at left in August 2017, and after their nearly 100-pound weight loss. Find out how they did it here.

Sean Harling, 46, of Mastic, at left in December 2016 when he weighed 255 pounds, and after his 70-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Dawn Fitch, 49, of Mastic, at left in April 2017 when she weighed approximately 156 pounds, and after her 40-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Joe Ferriolo, 49, of Freeport, at left in May 2014 when he weighed 184 pounds, and after his 37-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Joy-Anne D'Anca, 36, of Mineola, at left in March 2017 when she weighed approximately 260 pounds, and after her 85-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Karyn Slepian, 54, of Dix Hills, at left in September 2016 when she weighed 217 pounds, and after her 75-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Sharon Schamberry, 64, of Valley Stream, left, in March 2016 when she weighed 197 pounds, and recently, after her more than 50-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Debbie Cala, 58, of North Massapequa, is pictured in July 2015, when she weighed 235 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 80-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Sharon Hurkens, 58, of East Rockaway, is pictured in August 2016, when she weighed 209 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 60-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Paul Ragusa-Schweitzer, 52, of Long Beach, is pictured in February 2015, when he weighed 310 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 60-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Neil Schweitzer, 48, of Long Beach, is pictured in March 2016, when he weighed 225 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 37-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Joe Sciammarella, 63, of Lindenhurst, is pictured in August 2016, when he weighed 250 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 50-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Michael Salvi, 33, of Bellport, is pictured in December 2016, when he weighed 375 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 180-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Andrew Quinn, 33, of Shirley, is pictured when he weighed 385 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 85-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Michael Isaacs, 41, of East Northport, is pictured in February 2016, when he weighed 356 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 145-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Prady Surti, 38, of Bethpage, is pictured in August 2015, when he weighed 240 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 50-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Denise Kaucky, 46, of Mastic Beach, is pictured in August 2014, when she weighed 207 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 67-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Barbara Bittarelli, 42, of Levittown, is pictured in September 2012, when she weighed 355 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 180-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Alan Berkowsky, 80, of Dix Hills, is pictured in February 2011, when he weighed 210 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 50-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Trish Poggi, 39, of Centereach, is pictured in August 2013, when she weighed 300 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 117-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Tanya Roman, 35, of Patchogue, is pictured in February 2016, when she weighed 320 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 90-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Beth Weick, 50, of Freeport, is pictured in 2007, when she weighed 345 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 200-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Angelica Strippoli, 29, of Smithtown, is pictured in June 2010, when she weighed 320 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 168-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Tom Knichel, 54, of New Hyde Park, is pictured in August 2015, when he weighed 380 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 150-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

John Arpino, 23, of North Massapequa, is pictured in June 2016, when he weighed 488 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 170-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Cyndee Dunn, 33, of Merrick, is pictured in September 2016, when she weighed 250 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 70-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Brian Schwartz, 36, of Holbrook, is pictured in May 2008, when he weighed 238 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his nearly 90-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Josephine Gast, 74, of Patchogue, is pictured in July 2002, when she weighed 290 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 115-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Lisa Saladino, 43, of Deer Park, is pictured in February 2005, when she weighed 278 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 126-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Paul Spreer, 52, of East Setauket, is pictured in January 2016, when he weighed 310 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 70-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Lisa Strum, 65, of Long Beach, is pictured in August 2016, when she weighed 203 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 40-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Bridgette Volpi, 47, of North Patchogue, is pictured in August 2011, when she weighed about 230 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 87-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Kim Barbato, 34, of Huntington Station, is pictured in October 2015, when she weighed 355 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 100-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Sean Llewellyn, 44, of Sea Cliff, is pictured in December 2016, when he weighed 223 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more 55-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Gary Stadler, 42, Lake Ronkonkoma, is pictured in May 2016, when he weighed 322 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 122-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Joe Osipowich, 58, of Holbrook, is pictured May 2016 when he weighed 416 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his more than 100-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Sa'adia Taylor, 28, of West Babylon, is pictured in May 2016, when she weighed 262 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 60-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Scott Scheinson, 27, of Oceanside, is pictured in January 2009, when he weighed about 250 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 85-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Eddie Cooper, 51, of Central Islip, is pictured in April 2004, when he weighed 401 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 234-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Lindsey Brown, 33, of Baldwin, is pictured in August 2013, when she weighed about 275 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 80-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Sarah Haass, 37, of Central Islip, is pictured in February 2010, when she weighed 250 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 120-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Meghan McGrath, 44, of Seaford, is pictured in October 2015, when she weighed about 238 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 70-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Nicole Schnabel, 34, of Brightwaters, is pictured in an undated image, when she weighed about 192 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 57-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Steve Reinberg, 45, of Roslyn Heights, is pictured in November 2015, when he weighed about 370 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 140-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Frank Domnisch, 58, of North Babylon,is pictured in April 2016, when he weighed about 310 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 110-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Vanessa Rousseau, 34, of Centereach, is pictured in December 2015, when she weighed about 279 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 121-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Susan Frank, 53, of Shirley, is pictured in October 2015, when she weighed 223 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 65-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Christine Kennedy, 39, of Massapequa Park, is pictured in April 2013, when she weighed 207 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 50-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Joshua Nemley, 32, of Copiague, is pictured in July 2015, when he weighed 350 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 120-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Robyn Ryan, 37, of Selden, is pictured in August 2015, when she weighed 257 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 75-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Scott Capone, 48, of Holbrook, is pictured in October 2012, when he weighed about 450 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 265-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Michael Maloney, 47, of Garden City, is pictured in November 2015, when he weighed about 260 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 70-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Angelo Esposito of Medford is pictured in May 2016, when he weighed about 248 pounds, and in a more recent photo. Find out how he did it here.

Tracey Bogush. 45, of East Setauket, is seen in a photo from August 2014, when she weighed 240 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 52-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Noah Lam, 47, of Stony Brook, is pictured in May 2006, when he weighed about 245 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 70-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Patricia Daugherty, 37, of Islip Terrace, is pictured in May 2013, when she weighed 305 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 104-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Robin Roach, 50, of Mineola, is pictured in May 2011, when she weighed 285 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her more than 170-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Ebony Freeman, 27, of Greenport, is pictured in December 2008, when she weighed 315 pounds, and in a more recent photo, shows off her more than 125-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Marvin Kirschenbaum, 62, of Plainview, is pictured in August 2009 when he weighed 257 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 75 pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Mike Dillon, 64, of Medford, is pictured in June 2009, when he weighed about 284 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 114 pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Amy Keyes, 32, of East Patchogue, is pictured in June 2011, when she weighed about 275 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 110-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Michael Ferrara, 46, of Selden, is pictured in August 2014, when he weighed 295 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 70-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Lori Rivera, of Levittown, is seen in December 2015 when she weighed 258 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 44-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Amy Fleischer, 54, of Huntington Station, is pictured in June 2015, when she weighed about 252 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 85 pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Susan Ledlie, 60, of Rockville Centre, is pictured in October 2012, when she weighed about 187 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 50 pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Ron Abbazio, 56, of Lindenhurst, is pictured in February 2015, when he weighed about 240 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 45 pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Baldwin resident Peggy O'Donnell is pictured in November 2015, when she weighed 224 pounds, and in a recent photo showing off her nearly 50-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Russell Levy, 49, of Farmingdale, is pictured in October 2014, when he weighed about 263 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 84-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Greenport resident Linda Mysliborski is pictured in January 2015, when she weighed 178 pounds, and in a recent photo showing off her 59-pound weight loss. Find out how she did it here.

Tyler Vosefski of Holbrook is pictured in December 2013, when he weighed about 280 pounds, and in a more recent photo. The 21-year-old lost 109 pounds through the Jenny Craig program and by kicking his McDonald's habit. Learn more about what worked for him here.

"My clothes closet has size zero to size 14 in it," says Deer Park resident Jennifer Holgerson of her past yo-yo dieting behavior. "I never did anything that was a sustainable lifestyle. It was always a crash diet." After the birth of her second daughter she weighed 204 pounds and decided to try the Isagenix program. She followed the company's system of protein shakes, weight loss supplements, and diet snacks and meals, and became very physically active, which led to her dropping 20 pounds in the first month. (She has lost 65 pounds and become certified in personal training.) Pictured: Holgerson attending a wedding in November 2013 when she weighed 190 pounds, and in a more recent photo.

Robert Tomei, 57, of Manhasset, is pictured in December 2009, when he weighed about 192 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off his 52-pound weight loss. Find out how he did it here.

Heather Fiore is pictured in a photo taken in June 2015 when she weighed 202 pounds and in a more recent shot, showing off her 58-pound weight loss. Learn more about what worked for her here.

"I'm a fat person, I can't do that." Jackie Rowan of Bayport said that's what she used to think until she realized that mindset was keeping her from doing many things. After ending her first long-term relationship, Rowan decided to make some changes in her life, adding, "I knew I could control how I looked and how I viewed myself." She realized that meal preparation was necessary for her to start eating healthier foods, and she began walking a 2-mile path at the West Meadow Beach in Setauket that led to jogging it, then running it. Here she is pictured in October 2008 weighing 248 pounds, and in a more recent photo, showing off her 76-pound weight loss.

A week after getting a relatively clean bill of health but a recommendation to lose weight, Charlie Racz suffered a heart attack. The scare inspired him to drop 60 pounds. Find out how he did it here.

Weighing more than 300 pounds, Melanie Riggio, of Bethpage, turned to lap-band surgery in 2012 to shed weight, but after it failed, she found success with the Isagenix nutritional cleansing program. Coupled with regular workouts, it helped her lose 130 pounds. Pictured: Riggio in December of 2014, when she weighed 320 pounds, and in a more recent photo. Learn more about what worked for her here.

"When I had to ask for a seat-belt extender, I was mortified and knew I had to do something," says Nancy Nowak of Mineola. Nowak, who is pictured in August 2012 weighing approximately 277 pounds, and in a more recent shot, shed 103 pounds. Find out how she did it here.

Bruce Lipsky, of Cedarhurst, is pictured in October 2014 weighing approximately 250 lbs. and more recently showing off his 52-lb. weight loss. Lipsky used the S Health Android app to help him drop the pounds. Read more about his weight loss journey here

Brittany Carboy is pictured in January 2014 weighing about 220 pounds and in February 2016 at 167 pounds. The 26-year-old North Bellmore resident has chronicled her more than 50-pound weight loss on Instagram, where she now has 36,500 followers. Read about what worked for her here

"He'll scream at you -- I needed that," Danielle De Souza says of the personal trainer who helped her shed 40 pounds. After years of emotional eating as well as the death of her father and a job loss, De Souza said moving to Long Island helped push her out of her "comfort zone," and she started making major lifestyle changes. Read about what worked for her here

After suffering a massive heart attack, Jaime Siegel, 51, of Quogue, underwent gastric sleeve surgery, changed his diet and embraced exercise. Here he's pictured, left, in November 2013 weighing 341 lbs. and in January 2016 at 222 lbs. Read more about his story here.

Before losing nearly 90 pounds, Elizabeth Zalackas, of Franklin Square, said she was "grossly obese," and was a "two-time Weight Watchers dropout." Read about what worked for her here.

The death of her father inspired Kathy Stueber, of Holtsville, to drop 200 pounds. Here she is pictured in April 2012, weighing 355 pounds, and in a more recent photo weighing 155 pounds. Find out how she did it here.

Roslyn's Bridgette Gottlieb -- pictured in December 2015, left, weighing 155 pounds and in a more recent photo, right -- says she used hoard food. "I was buying chocolate and hiding it around my house, like a squirrel," she says. Find out how she shed the weight here.

Christine Ulmer, of Medford, is pictured in June 2015, weighing about 250 pounds, and in a more recent photo showing off her 90-pound weight loss. Ulmer followed a Jenny Craig diet program and exercised by taking long walks. Read more about her story here.

Patty Albert, 49, of Islip, lost 100 pounds in just over a year through a combination of tracking calorie intake and activity with MyFitnessPal and attending Lucille Roberts. Albert was motivated to lose weight after her father died in January 2014 from a combination of diabetes, congestive heart failure and a sedentary lifestyle. Click here to read more about Albert's weight loss tips.

Bettianne Mendez, 49, of East Hampton, points to her first pregnancy as the starting point of years of yo-yo weight loss. An upcoming cruise to the Carribbean for her 50th birthday pushed her to lose the weight and keep it off. She said joining Jenny Craig, walking 3 to 4 miles two to three days a week and hitting the gym two to three times a week has helped her shed more than 60 pounds. Read more here.

Dina Shingleton, of Amityville, lost 40 pounds in six months through portion control, "clean" eating and meal replacement shakes.
To read Shingleton's full story, click here.

Christine Carlucci lost about 100 pounds in 12 months on the Jenny Craig system, going from 238 pounds to 114 pounds.

To read more about Carlucci's story, click here.

Karen Baldizzone, 67, of Valley Stream, lost 35 pounds on Jenny Craig. She also started eating several smaller meals each day instead of three big meals. When Baldizzone returns to regular food, she intends to continue to track calories and go to Jenny Craig once a week to get weighed. She says she does not weigh herself at home. Read more on her weight-loss journey here.

"It was getting pretty scary," Felix Cirillo, left, of Garden City, said about his weight as well as his wife Betty's and son Robert's. "My wife is a diabetic and on insulin, but our biggest concern was our son. He was young but getting huge, pushing 300 pounds." Cirillo said it was his wife who took charge. "She literally put us in the car and drove us to Jenny Craig on a Sunday morning." Following the program, the trio has collectively lost 195 pounds. Read the family's full story to find out exactly what worked for them by clicking here.

Laurie Rappa used Weight Watchers and Jazzercise to drop 25 pounds. Of her weight loss, Rappa said, "You're worth it. Put forth the effort. You'll love yourself for it."
To read Rappa's complete story, click here.

"I was overweight my whole life, and I didn't like it," says Samia Akram, 18, of Huntington Station. Wanting to look more like her trimmer peers, Akram turned to her gym teacher for advice and within one school year she lost 85 pounds. Read how she did it by clicking here.

Michael Masciale turned to the gastric sleeve surgery to help lose weight permanently. He went from 388 pounds to 178 pounds.

Read more about Masciale's story here.

Jesse Ruggiere, of Wantagh, is pictured at a Mets game in May of 2011, weighing about 235 pounds, and in a more recent photo after he lost more than 55 pounds. Ruggiere, a die-hard wrestling fan, stumbled upon DDP Yoga, which was developed by retired professional wrestler Diamond Dallas Page. Not only did he drop the weight but he went on to become a certified DDP Level 1 yoga instructor. "Be willing to fight for what you want in life. Health is a privilege, it's not an entitlement," he says.
Read more about his story, and the fitness and diet regimen that worked for him, by clicking here.

Following a Paleo diet, which is what is based on what humans ate during the Paleolithic era, before agriculture was developed -- and embracing exercise, helped Billy Pennachio, of East Meadow, lose more than 30 pounds and avoid having surgery to treat the severe arthritis in his hips.
Read more about his story and the strategies that worked for him, click here.

William Toro of Lake Grove, seen in a June 2014 weighing in at 290 pounds, said he was a late-night snacker, a fast-food fan and an emotional eater. After a health scare, Toro said he took advantage of a Groupon for a nutritionist that appeared in his email inbox one day. Since then, Toro has lost nearly 100 pounds by following the nutritionist's advice and working out four to five times a week.
To read Toro's full story, click here.

Al Badsha, 31, of Huntington Station, shed more than 30 pounds by practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 3-4 times per week, giving up soda and making other dietary changes. "Look at things that you can change right now . . . If you can do something for 21 days, it becomes habit," he said.
To read Badsha's full story, click here.

Luana Dunn, of Medford, lost 63 pounds after she elected for weight-loss surgery. She also exercises for 30 minutes a day.
To read Dunn's full story, click here.

Tom Cittadino of East Rockaway has lost more than 100 pounds since September 2008 and has kept it off. Cittadino's advice to others is to keep in mind that losing weight is about making a long-term commitment to yourself. "Weight loss is not a sprint, it's a marathon," he said.
To read Cittadino's full story, click here.

Tom Firshing weighed 652 pounds in May 2013 and lost more than 320 pounds through diet and exercise. He says the key to success is being realistic about your goals. "Set small goals. Losing one pound a week means a 50-pound weight loss in a year."
To read Firshing's full story, click here.

Tony Massoni is seen on the left in November 2013 weighing 503 pounds. Over the course of 18 months, Massoni lost more than 270 pounds. Now, Massoni says, he uses a treadmill daily and bicycles outdoors for three to four miles late at night, finding it "quiet and peaceful."
To read more of Massoni's story, click here.

Ken Krinsky, of Huntington, has lost 117 pounds since he began his journey to lose weight. As advice to others, Krinsky said, "To quote Led Zeppelin, 'There's still time to change the road you're on.' "
To read Krinsky's full story, click here.

When Brian Barry of East Rockaway entered a weight loss competition, he weighed 203 pounds. In just two months, Barry was able to drop 30 pounds.
Read Barry's whole story here.

Ed Mutchnick is seen to the left in April 2012, weighing 285 pounds. In October 2012, he started Weight Watchers, and over the next 29 months lost 107 pounds.
To read Mutchnick's full story, click here.

Richard Kellner of Woodbury turned to a nutritionist and registered dietician to lose weight so he could donate a kidney to his wife, Joanne. He succeeded in going from 215 to 170 pounds in six months. He donated the needed kidney in February 2014. Both are now doing well.
To read more about Kellner's story, click here.

James Lassus, of Valley Stream, lost more than 90 pounds with the help of Winthrop University Hospital's weight management program. Of losing weight and giving advice to others, Lassus said, "Try anything and everything. Something's got to work."

Lewis Silverman, a law professor at Touro College, weighed in at 230 pounds in 2012. He subsequently lost 85 pounds and now weights 145 pounds, as of February 2015. "It's worth it to be healthy," Silverman says of his routine. "I feel so much better ... My doctor is thinking of taking me off some meds. It's nice to feel good."

To read Silverman's full story, click here.

After a lifetime of being overweight and paying no attention to portion sizes, Lucette Aprill, 62, of Lake Grove, turned to Jenny Craig to lose more than 100 pounds in 18 months.

To read more about Aprill's story, click here.

Deborah Maloney of Ronkonkoma turned to clean eating and running to lose 100 pounds, going from 261 pounds to 161 pounds and from a size 24/26 to a size 8.

To read more about Maloney's story, click here.

Regina Barton, 55, of Westbury, turned to massage therapy and yoga to lose 70 pounds and keep it off. She went from 248 pounds to 178 pounds. Of her weight loss, Barton said, "If you don't take care of yourself, nothing else is going to matter."

To read more of Barton's story, click here.

Randi Lenahan, 58, of Plainview, turned to Weight Watchers to lose 40 pounds in less than 12 months, going from 170 to 130 pounds. Lenahan says her advice to others is to, "Never give up on your dream. There are so many myths about what you can't do because you're older. Forget what they say you can't do. I did it. You can do it."

To read more about Lenahan's transformation, click here.

Seynab Baydoun, 58, of Middle Island, lost more than 100 pounds on Weight Watchers, going from 252 pounds to 133 pounds in around 24 months. She said of her weight loss, "You realize it is all about choices: what you eat, whether you exercise. My life is completely changed. I feel like I can accomplish anything."

To read Baydoun's full story, click here.

Paul A. Desjardins, 69, of Ridge, turned to Jenny Craig to lose more than 30 pounds in less than 10 months.

To read more of Desjardins' story, click here.

Woodbury's Rafael Turcios lost 62 pounds in less than a year using Jenny Craig. "When I reached 260 pounds, I'd had enough," Turcios remembers.

Click here to read more about Turcios' story.

Richard Souto successfully tackled two difficult task: quit smoking and lose weight. Although he gained 30 pounds on an already heavy frame, he eventually was able to shed more than 80 pounds, going from 240 pounds to 155 pounds.

Read more about Souto's journey here.

David Francis, of East Islip, lost 200 pounds, going from 420 to 220 after gastric bypass surgery. He has kept the weight off for four years. To read his story, click here.

It was the freshman 40, not the freshman 15, that caused Eileen Darwin's parents to send her to a 7-week weight-loss class. That was more than 60 years ago. Darwin has adhered to the rules she has learned there and her weight has barely fluctuated by more than 2 pounds in the years since. Darwin, 83, says it was one of the wisest things her parents gave her, a firm foundation for good health.
To read more about Darwin's story, click here.

It was a casual photo on a sunny afternoon that convinced Jerry DiSauro to lose weight. He turned to Think Thin to lose 70 pounds, going from 272 to 202 in months.
To read more of DiSauro's story, click here.

Colleen McWilliams of Wading River first turned to bariatric surgery, then to Weight Watchers to go from 294 to 155 pounds and keep it off. Her advice to others is simple: “Don’t give up, ’cause being healthy is worth it,” McWilliams says. “Even if you only lose one pound a week, you’re chipping away at it.”
To read more of her story, click here.

Debbie Biagini, 36, of Middle Island, lost 128 pounds in less than 12 months, thanks to gastric bypass surgery on May 17, 2013. She went from 265 to 147.
Click here to read more about Biagini's story.

Nurse Katherine Jackson, 40, of Central Islip, turned to bariatric surgery to go from 267 to 153 pounds. Looking back on her struggles with weight, Jackson says she wishes she'd "been more proactive" about her weight.
To read more about Jackson's story, click here.

Jennifer Barsamian, 37, of Lynbrook, who had been overweight her entire life, began to see her opera career suffer as she was cast in frumpier roles. She turned to Weight Watchers to lose 150 pounds and recharge her singing career.
To read more about Barsamian's story, click here.

Patty Brexel, 54, of Bayville turned to Think Thin, a weight-loss program, to lose weight and keep it off. She went from 145 pounds to 130 pounds and has kept it off for years.
Read more about Brexel's story here.

Nermeen Devlin, 28, of Massapequa, ballooned to 280 pounds in 2010 before deciding to get a handle on her health. She turned to diet and exercise to lose almost 150 pounds in less than 24 months.
Read more of Devlin's story here.

Stacy Schmidt-Shaver, 37, of Levittown, lost nearly 125 pounds, going from 280 in July 2012 to 155 in February 2014, with diet and daily exercise.
Read more of Schmidt-Shaver's story here.

Sarah Bellissimo, 32, of Glen Cove, turned to Weight Watchers to go from 210 pounds to 135 pounds. On learning about portion control and losing the weight, Bellissimo said, "I had to learn to eat all over again," Bellissimo says. "I also learned that I could enjoy exercise."
Read more about bellissimo's story here.

Jessica Shiels, 34, from Smithtown, has lost 59 pounds. In addition to her daily walks with the dog, she exercises three to four times a week for an hour. This includes yoga, cardio and light strength training.
Read more about Shiels' story here.

After a lifetime of struggling with her weight, Marlo Signoracci, 42, of Hicksville, turned to running to drop more than 100 pounds. Of finally deciding to do something about her weight, Signoracci said, "I had to learn to not feel guilty about making time for myself," Signoracci says. "I need to take care of myself to be able to take care of others. If I'm not well, how can I take care of my 9-year-old son, my husband, my family?"
Read more of Signoracci's story here.

Jaclyn Fehringer, 34, of St. James, went from 220 pounds to 145 pounds using Nutrisystem. Her advice to losing the weight? "I've learned that you have to dedicate yourself to what you want to change," Fehringer said.
Read more about Fehringer's story here.

Christine Van Houten, 31, of Floral Park, went from 300 pounds to 185 pounds in 18 months after joining Better Body Bootcamp in Great Neck.
Read more of Christine's story here.

Kelly Espitia, 34, of Great Neck, lost 124 pounds on Weight Watchers, going from 271 to 147. Her tip for successful weight loss? "Don't get discouraged if you don't lose 6 pounds the first week," Espitia says. Read more about Espitia's weight loss journey here.

Romeo Martello of Massapequa Park says the key to weight loss success isn't always about exercise. "You don't have to carve out hours a day to go to the gym, just take a half-hour walk and watch what you eat," says Martello, who lost 40 pounds over a six-month period.

Read more about Martello's story here.

Melanie Cirulnick, of Oceanside, lost 155 pounds from 2007 to 2012 and has kept it off since. (2013)

Read more about Melanie's story here.

Toni Ruggiero, 44, of Wading River, turned to the gastric sleeve surgery to aid in her battle against obesity. The procedure removes a portion of the stomach, keeping the person from eating too much. She went from 223 pounds to 138 pounds in about 18 months. (2013)

Read more about Toni's story here.

Amanda Goldberg, 25, of East Hampton, went from 218 to 155 pounds and is now pursuing her dream of being a professional tennis player. (2013)

Read more of Amanda's story here.

James Laurita of Commack has lost 60 pounds through a combination of Zen meditation and a biofeedback device to track his activity. He also tracks his calorie intake. (2013)

Read more of James' story here.

Brianne Dorato, 24, of East Meadow took part in the weight-loss program at Winthrop-University Hospital to lose 100 pounds, going from 301 to 181 in less than 12 months. She did so by drinking four weight-loss shakes a day and ending the day with a lean-protein meal. (2013)

Read more of Brianne's story here.

After a lifetime of being overweight Joseph J. Orlando Jr. drew strength from his marriage and a new baby daughter to undergo the lap-band surgery. He lost 121 pounds in less than a year, dropping from 323 pounds to 202.
Read more of Joseph Orlando's story here.

Dennis McGlynn, 38, of St. James was viciously attacked in 1994 and was left in a coma. When he awakened after six months he had to relearn how to walk, talk and even laugh. After ballooning to 273 pounds, his new fiancé convinced him to join Weight Watchers. He's now a trim 180 pounds.
Read Dennis McGlynn's story here.

Joseph Ardito of Farmingdale lost 107 lbs. in a little over one year. His advice for losing the weight and keeping it off? "Just keep focused and stick with your program," Ardito says. "I've had weeks when I gained weight but would just get through it and start again the next week."
Read Ardito's story here.

Jamie Lynn Granelle weighed nearly 300 pounds when a dream about dying gave her the motivation to make a change. Granelle, of Deer Park, turned to myfitnesspal.com to help her take off 100 pounds in nine months. To read her story, click here.

Michael Tine of Elmont lost nearly 50 pounds in less than a year following a strict diet and going to the gym daily. At his heaviest, he weighed 320 pounds. He's a muscular 200 pounds now. To read his story, click here.

A chronic emotional eater, Janet Bickel, lost just under 70 pounds between April 2012 and December 2012, dropping from 270 pounds to 203. "Whatever you do, figure out why you're eating and address it," Bickel says.
To read her story, click here.

A back injury and the accompanying depression caused David Santonas of St. James to pack on the pounds. "On an average day, I'd have two bacon and egg heroes with extra bacon for breakfast, one or two Domino's pizzas for lunch," Santonas says. After changing his diet and lifestyle, Santonas dropped from 505 pounds to 280.

Read his story here.

James Calderon of Freeport struggled with his weight most of his life, going up and down as he'd try different weight-loss strategies. "It was when I learned about fasting, detoxing and acidity and how to keep the body pH more alkaline that I began to drop the weight," Calderon remembers, having dropped from 240 pounds to 158.

Read his story here

Barbara Prestano Henry, 31, of Shoreham, lost more than 100 pounds in less that 12 months. Now, she exercises at least an hour three days a week and then two hours, two days a week.
Read her story here.

Debbie Lazinsky was a chubby kid who grew into an obese adult. To help start her weight loss, she educated herself on good nutrition. Lazinsky now exercises five days a week at the gym and bikes and walks outside in nice weather.
Read her story here

Losing weight became a family affair for the Monetas. Lou and Donna Moneta decided to use the Medifast meal replacement program. Then last summer, after getting the OK from the pediatrician, they enrolled Donato in Jenny Craig. "If you have someone to do it [diet and exercise] with, it will be a lot easier," Lou Moneta says.
Read their story

Bob Timpson, walks about 6 miles a day broken into two sessions. He also does a daily 45-minute calisthenics routine. "It was something I designed myself, and it works for me," Timpson says. Between September 2012 and March 2013 Timpson lost 100-pounds.
Click here to read his story.

Kimberly Sikes had ballooned to 389 pounds by her early 20s. She had Type 2 diabetes and a host of other medical problems. She turned to bariatric surgery to drop to 199 pounds in 18 months.
Read her story here.

Bill Grogan, who works from home, always thought he was eating healthy. "I'd stack the refrigerator with low-fat mayo and tuna, but I'd be eating these things all day long. My calorie count was astronomical." Now, through P90X and the My FitnessPal app, Grogan has shed almost 50 pounds.
Click here to read his story.

Barry Snyder of Lake Grove, who now weighs 305 pounds, lost 100 pounds in 13 months after trying Take Shape for Life.
Click here to read his story

Lucy Stolzenburg of East Northport has lost 50 pounds since January, 2012 on the Take Shape for Life program.
Click here to read her story

Sal Fischetti, who weighed 288 pounds in August 2011, dropped 105 pounds in less than 12 months with diet and exercise. Fischetti, who is athletic director for St. Francis Prep High School in Fresh Meadows, works out almost daily in the school's new state-of-the-art gym and weight room.
Click here to read his story

Anthony Belfiore, 51, of Smithtown, lost almost 100 pounds following surgery for a brain tumor that had left him blind. After successful treatment, Belfiore decided that he needed to become healthy. He says that after losing the weight, he has loads of energy and a positive life attitude.
Click here to read his story

Joe Mammolito of East Northport lost almost 40 pounds in six weeks after joining Orangetheory, a classes-only gym in East Northport.

Mary Lou Farrell of Centereach, who in the left photo weighs 306 pounds, lost 120 pounds in 12 months after joining Jenny Craig.

Lisa Cameron, 43, of Baldwin, was so upset with herself when her weight topped 200 pounds. When she saw the scales, she decided then and there to return to her slimmer, healthier self. She credits exercise and food and lifestyle changes for her 50-pound weight loss.

Brooke Koening, 26, of Franklin Square, turned to a nutritionist and the gym to lose more than 50 pounds. She went from more than 200 pounds to 148 in less than a year.

Cindy Miller, 42, from Farmingdale, peaked at 304 pounds in 2008 before deciding to make her health a priority. A closet binge eater and yo-yo dieter, it took her children to inspire her to get and stay health so she could instill healthy habits into them. She lost 167 pounds with the help of Jenny Craig.

Lou Panacciulli, 61, of Franklin Square, had gained so much weight that he was embarrassed to stand in front of others. This was a real problem since he is a conductor for the Nassau Pops Symphony Orchestra. With help from Weight Watchers, Panacciulli dropped 50 pounds in a little more than a year.

Joy Kocal, 49, of Selden went from 278 pounds to 142 pounds in less than 24 months with the help of Weight Watchers.
Click here to read her story.

Lynne Marino says her low point was when her granddaughters -- ages 13 and 5 -- asked her to take them to the Bronx Zoo. "I couldn't do the walking," Marino says. "It was heartbreaking to have to tell them no." She underwent gastric sleeve surgery in November 2011.
Click here to read her story.

Melissa Mingrone grew up obese. She lost 90 pounds and ran the LI Half Marathon, but is still adjusting. "I still think people are looking at me, judging me like I felt they did when I was fat," Mingrone says.
Click here to read her story.

Despite battling her weight since age 13, it took Yvette Thomas' grandchildren to inspire her to get healthy. "I loved fried chicken, chocolate cake, bacon, grits," says Thomas, who struggled with Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol.
Click here to read her story.

Ed Jarvis was ranked No. 2 in the world by the Major League Eating/International Federation of Competitive Eating before retiring about five years ago.

Click here to read his story.

Jennifer Knecht realized she had to lose weight when she had to use a seat belt extender on an airplane. Once she had her epiphany, she started the South Beach Diet and joined a gym.

Click here to read her story.

While Evan Grabelsky's ballooning weight was no secret, how he got that way was. Grabelsky, of Merrick, says he was a binge eater addicted to food. Fear and shame finally drove him to a Weight Watchers meeting in Wantagh. He's lost more than 100 pounds.

Click here to read his story.