I truly believe this lifestyle will stick with me forever'

Tiffany Stuart, 30, New Port Richey

Height: 5-feet-9

STARTING WEIGHT: 226 pounds

CURRENT WEIGHT: 145 pounds

WHY I DID IT: I used to look in the mirror and just accept who I had become. I rarely exercised. I would walk up a flight of stairs and have to catch my breath. I would go out to eat two times a day, and not to places that had healthy food. If my husband walked in when I was changing, I would run into the closet to hide. He loves me so much, but I was so embarrassed for him to see what I had done to myself at the age of 29. Then on top of those things, my weight was a contributing factor for us not being able to have a baby.

My husband and I had been unsuccessfully trying to naturally conceive a child for more than eight years. I did some research on infertility and found the Florida Fertility Institute. I began seeing my doctor, Edward Zbella, back in 2008. We started with in vitro fertilization, and it was unsuccessful. We did extensive testing after that and then attempted artificial insemination in July 2009. Artificial insemination was unsuccessful. In August 2009, I was diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Since beginning the fertility treatments in 2008, I had put on 50 pounds - and I was already overweight. I was immediately referred to Dr. Mark Sanchez at Medi-Weightloss Clinics in Clearwater. He informed me that I was borderline diabetic, and that because I have PCOS, if I remained overweight, there would be minimal chance of success with a customized fertility plan.

PCOS is something I will have to deal with the rest of my life, but he said there are ways around it so we might have the baby we always wanted. Little did I know that this conversation would change my life!

HOW I DID IT: Dr. Sanchez suggested that I get down to my "fighting weight." I would be healthier in the long run, and then we could discuss options after a diet.

When he said diet, I cringed. Then he explained how Medi-Weightloss Clinics work, that they are medically supervised and use weekly weigh-ins, a controlled diet (with menu samples given), vitamins and appetite suppressors. I looked over at my husband, and there was no question that this was the route we were going to go.

I began my journey the next week on Aug. 21, 2009. When I weighed in at 226 pounds, I started to cry. But I knew I could do this. As I left the office, Crystal Govoni, the receptionist, told me, "We will be seeing less of you!" That phrase stuck with me the whole time.

Man, that first week was killer! But I kept the complaining to myself. My husband, Josh, was so supportive. I felt bad at first because I was not making his favorite meals of macaroni and cheese and hot dogs anymore. But he would make it for himself - and then tell me how gross it tasted.

Pretty soon, he was eating healthier, too, and he helped me by making the recipes on the Medi-Weightloss Clinics website. He can make a killer chicken stir-fry made with olive oil.

After the next few weeks and months (and even as I type this note), I continued to lose weight. Little by little, I started to notice my clothes fitting better and how much easier it was to exercise.

I started running in November 2009, and I ran my first 5K in January.

HURDLES: I had to give up everything I loved to eat, like cookies and cake. That was the most difficult thing to do. But once I cut them out, I didn't miss them.

One major reminder to me to keep going was that I was paying for this program. If I cheated, I was only cheating myself. I had to make this work, not only for my health but for me to have the things in life that I loved more than bad carbs and sugar.

GOING THE DISTANCE: I started this program as a size 18. Now I am a size 4. I lost 81 pounds in 10 months! I am in the Wellness Phase of the program now, and I truly believe this lifestyle will stick with me forever. It changed the way I eat and made me addicted to exercising! I work out six times a week and try to never do the same thing.

Janine Viloria, my nurse, has always encouraged and supported me. She taught me so many things (how to exercise, what not to eat and maintenance) and has talked me off the ledge a few times!

My husband and I have a goal to begin trying again for a baby later this year. I have never felt so good, and I am only 30 years old. I have a new confidence in myself. Stay tuned for some good news from Tiffany Stuart this year!

BEST ADVICE: Never fear change. If you tell yourself, I am going to give up diet soda, do it and don't look back. Oh, and exercise. Exercise one hour a day, every day.

I Lost It is a regular feature highlighting individual weight-loss success stories. It does not reflect the opinions of 4you, which encourages you to work with a physician or nutritionist before embarking on a diet. To share your story, visit TBO.com, keyword: Lost it.