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Dacia Gilkey
For Dacia Gilkey her rock bottom came in 1999 as she dressed for a Valentine's Day date. At 256 lbs., she couldn't get a pair of pantyhose up over her thighs. "I just sat on the bed in tears," says Gilkey, 27, a clerk at the Georgia Bureau of Investigations.
That week the Atlanta native cut out vending machine visits, soda and fried foods. Adding two-hour workouts on the Stairmaster and elliptical machines five days a week helped her lose 100 lbs. in five years. When she plateaued, she joined Weight Watchers, further cut her sugar intake and started jogging. Now a toned 134 lbs., Gilkey is addicted to long runs. "I call her Forrest Gump 'cause she can't stop running," says mom Pamela. At her ideal weight, Gilkey has set another goal – becoming an FBI agent. "Now that I'm in good physical condition, I can apply and take the fitness test," she says. "People can want it for you, but you really have to want it for yourself."
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