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now 122 lbs.

Featured in 2002

Karen Brown

Until recently "I would have nightmares I was still big and wake up and go, 'Oh wow, it was just a dream!' " says the 5'3" hairstylist, 46, who graced the cover of the first Half Their Size issue. Since then, Brown has maintained her sleek physique by teaching fitness classes six times a week and sticking to a strict diet of six small meals a day. "I never eat the entire thing anymore. If I have a burger, I'll eat half," she says. "When I was fat I'd eat anything cheesy, greasy or fatty. I was miserable. Now I feel good about myself inside and out."

1996 195 lbs.

2002 124 lbs.

now 160 lbs.

Featured in 2009

Stacie Daniels

Her greatest joy-marrying boyfriend Demetrius Daniels in July-has turned into her biggest challenge in maintaining her weight. "I went from living on my own to preparing meals for me and my husband," says the 5'4" second-grade teacher. "Some things I enjoy, he doesn't. Pretty much the only vegetable he likes is green beans!" But Daniels, 30, credits her husband for motivating her during their joint workout sessions: "He is my cheerleader."

2005 340 lbs.

2009 154 lbs.

now 160 lbs.

Featured in 2003

Annmarie Santillan

When Santillan showed off her slimmer figure in People, she was a college freshman and "constantly working out." But in the last nine years, Santillan, now 28, watched her weight slowly creep up as she adjusted to life as a professional. "I work, so by the time I get home I want to chill instead of exercise," says the administrative assistant. "But I started feeling like, 'I'm a heifer!' I didn't want to go back to what I was before." Though she's gained 40 lbs., "I'm at a healthy weight for my height. I still eat healthy. If I'm at a fast food restaurant, I'll order salads," says the 5'8" Weight Watchers alum. "Every girl still has her 'fat days.' But if your pants fit, you're good!"

2000 247 lbs.

2003 120 lbs.

Catching Up With ...

now 160 lbs.

Featured in 2004

Cristy McAdams

Once 135 lbs., McAdams gained 25 lbs. back after giving birth to Nate, 6, and Abby, 4. "I haven't weighed 150 lbs. since before having kids. Honestly, I'd rather have the kids!" Still, the 5'6" IT manager, 41, works out at home to Jillian Michaels DVDs. "Even though I was thinner before, I wouldn't have butter or olive oil. Now I eat walnuts and real foods."

2001 297 lbs.

Featured in 2005

Jessenia Herrera

The 5'2" administrative assistant lost 125 lbs. on Jenny, which she still follows because of her busy schedule. "I don't have time to cook with two jobs and my son [Vincent, 16]," says the single mom, 36. Her biggest challenge? The holidays, when her pals indulge but she holds back: "Oh well, at least I will look good!"

now 125 lbs.

2000 250 lbs.

Featured in 2008

Amanda White

When the 5'4" insurance agent slimmed down in the past, "I didn't understand that once you lose, you have to maintain it. It's not over." She's learned her lesson: White, 42, maintains her waistline by teaching spin class nine times a week. "My dream is to open my own studio."

now 146 lbs.

2004 335 lbs.

Featured in 2006

Nathalie Hayes

"My weight still fluctuates," says the 5'8" married Cincinnati teacher. "I'm still very self-conscious." Except in one area: Hayes, 28, had excess skin removal surgery for her arms in 2010. "I can finally wear short-sleeve shirts!" she says. "It helped my confidence."

now 165 lbs.

2002 312 lbs.

Featured in 2010

Jaime Diggs

In October 2010, Diggs remarried and moved her family to Albuquerque, where the 5'5" biomedical engineer, 29, walks her kids Sean, 8, and Alexis, 7, to school every day. "That's three miles a day," she says. "People offer a ride, but I say we're getting our exercise!"

now 140 lbs.

2003 290 lbs.

Featured in 2007

Charles Scott

The 6'2" computer specialist, 52, learned to cook healthy dishes for his new wife, Nan, 51, and his daughter Katy, 13. "I couldn't boil water! Now I can make a great chili." But Scott blames a 33-lb. gain on his infrequent trips to the gym: "I have to get serious about staying active."

now 150 lbs.

2003 563 lbs.

Featured in 2011

Sheri Cameron

"Keeping weight off is harder than losing it," says the 5'5" office manager. In the past year, Cameron, 29, put on 5 lbs. while recovering from a back injury, but she's not sweating it. "I'm healthy and happy," she says. "I would rather stress about 5 lbs. than worry about being obese."

now 250 lbs.

2007 349 lbs.

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