Joy Bauer MS, RD, CDN TODAY nutritionist and diet editor • Profile • E-mail

Twice a month, TODAY inducts a new member into the Joy Fit Club. These are determined people who have lost and kept off 100 pounds or more through diet and exercise.

The following weight-loss strategies helped my first three members achieve extraordinary success. They worked for them, they’ll work for you!

How Mandy Muniz lost 172 pounds

Mandy Muniz

Mandy Muniz, 32, struggled with weight her entire life. To date, she’s lost a total of 172 pounds and more than 64 inches all over her body. She went from a 47.5-inch waist to a 28-inch waist. In a little over a year, she took her body from the worst shape it’s ever been in to the absolute best.  Thanks to her new confidence, she’s applied for a master’s in education and a theatre/dance supervisor position in her school district. Go Mandy!

3 tips that enabled Mandy’s weight-loss success:

• Plan and portion your food
• Weigh yourself regularly (for motivation and accountability)
• Log your daily food and exercise

To learn more about Mandy's story, click here.

How Jodi Davis lost 162 pounds
Jodi Davis, a 41-year-old mother of three teens, struggled with her weight since the age of 10. She’d tried numerous diets over the past 25 years, but always seemed to lose and gain the same few pounds. Jodi felt hopeless. However, a few years ago, something changed. Jodi learned to believe in herself and became determined to lose weight and gain health. She’s lost 162 pounds in 16 months, going from a size 24 to a size 6!

3 tips that enabled Jodi’s weight-loss success:

• Minimize liquid calories
• Avoid personal trigger foods; these are the foods that once you start eating, you cannot stop.
• Walk for 30 minutes every day

To learn more about Jodi's story, click here.

How Carolyn Leonard lost 101 pounds

Carolyn Leonard

Carolyn Leonard’s motto is “Don’t DIE-it, LIVE-it”. After losing her beloved husband of 35 years to a fatal heart attack two years ago, Carolyn, 57, became determined to lose weight and take control of her health. Feeling overwhelmed with having to lose more than 100 pounds, she simply focused on 10-pound goals. To date, Carolyn has lost 10 pounds, 10 times (total of 100 pounds!) … and is currently off ALL of her medications (blood pressure, blood sugar for type 2 diabetes and ibuprofen for pain). Carolyn has 15 more pounds to lose in order to hit her ultimate goal … and I’m going to help ensure she gets there. 

3 tips that enabled Carolyn’s weight-loss success:

• No eating while watching TV
• Keep p.m. snacks small; 150 calories or less
• Use small plates for your meals

To learn more about Carolyn's story, click here.

Joy Bauer is the author of “Food Cures.” For more information on healthy eating, visit Joy’s Web site at www.joybauernutrition.com

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