Successes

It's been slow going for Julia Sly, 44, but she's reaping the benefits nonetheless.

She's lost 16 pounds since February, and unlike a few years earlier when she dropped 50 pounds quickly related to health concerns, this time the weight may stay off.

"I'm more comfortable doing it this way. This is better because it's coming off slower," Sly said.

Curnis Upkins Jr. attributes his sizeable weight loss to the Healthy Weight Advantage program at St. Dominic.

“I lost 219 pounds,” he said. “At my lowest number, it was 180.”

The human resources director at St. Dominic first became interested in the Healthy Weight Advantage program after joining the wellness committee.

Amount lost: 44 pounds

How: Diet and exercise

Kristie Carter Armstrong was diagnosed in 2006 as insulin resistant — or, pre-diabetic. She weighed more than 230 pounds, and her doctor advised her to lose weight in addition to the Fortamet he prescribed her.

Ten months ago, Rob Dyess had trouble running on a treadmill for more than a few minutes.

Now, he's preparing to compete in a 10K race next year.

Lakely Smith-Ryals
• Amount lost: 104 pounds, so far
• How: Weight Watchers, exercise

Lakely Smith-Ryals is about halfway to her goal weight. After months of regular exercise and staying true to Weight Watchers, she's dropped more than 100 pounds.