The 2015-2016 Live Longer & Stronger Heart Health Challenge

My story: "I've tried to slim down before, but my reasons for doing it, whether to fit into a dress for a party or to look good for a boyfriend, were never permanent. When my doctor reminded me of my family history of diabetes, I realized the results needed to stick. This time, I made it all about me."

HEART VICTORY: Lowered odds of type 2 diabetes (a risk factor for heart disease, particularly in women) through weight loss and increased activity

What worked: "Using an activity tracker pushes me to beat yesterday's goal and motivates me not to quit. I've also learned to prioritize my needs and loosen ties with the people who were hindering my efforts. The method worked: I'm well on the way to my goal weight, and I feel happier and more self-confident. I was even able to go off antidepressants."

Maria's stay-on-track secret: DISTRACT TASTE BUDS

"One of my favorite ways to relax is to cook, but it's tempting to sneak bites. My solution is to keep my mouth busy while I'm in the kitchen. My go-to: coffee flavored with cocoa and cinnamon."

My story: "I'm a mom of three, an assistant director at a preschool and a caretaker for my mother, who lives with us after multiple strokes. In short, I look after many people. The only person I wasn't caring for was myself. When my mom lost the use of her right side, I realized that could be my fate too."

HEART VICTORY: Lowered blood pressure, triglycerides and A1C (blood sugar) levels

What worked: "In addition to learning portion control, I've become religious about exercise. I walk daily and participate in an interval training class twice a week, which I schedule into my calendar. I was surprised to find that not only do I actually enjoy exercise, but there's also an athlete in me. I'm doing planks, push-ups and sprint sets in public, something I didn't have the courage to do before!"

Kathy's stay-on-track secret: CREATE AN END-OF-MEAL RITUAL

"I do three things when I leave the table: have a cup of tea, brush my teeth, and go upstairs to the computer and send myself an email that says 'You Did It!' This helps me resist the urge to overeat and nibble."

My story: "My maternal grandparents died young from heart disease, and breast cancer runs in my family, so the odds are stacked against me. I've struggled with weight since college, always placing the blame elsewhere when I couldn't lose. This attitude didn't just hurt me, it was doing a disservice to my daughters (ages 10 and 13) because I wasn't questioning what I put in my body, and they were following my lead."

HEART VICTORY: Lowered blood pressure and cut cholesterol medication dosage in half

What worked: "I stuck with healthier eating choices by reminding myself that my girls were watching. And gaining control over my heart health inspired me to be proactive about my cancer risk. I got the BRCA gene test, and when the results came back positive, I had my ovaries and fallopian tubes removed (a double mastectomy is up next). My future held the possibility of a heart attack and a higher chance of breast and ovarian cancers, but because I took action, those statistics don't loom over me anymore. My kids know that no matter what cards life deals, they have the option to shuffle them and come out on top."

Nicole's stay-on-track secret: STICK TO THE TWO-BITE RULE

"Fruit can satisfy my sweet tooth, but when I want a sugary dessert, like Carvel cake, I don't deprive myself. I have two bites, which is all I really need, then fill up on fruit (a new favorite is Cotton Candy grapes—they taste just like the fairground treat!)."

My story: "My health, which was already heading in the direction of heart issues due to high cholesterol, took a dive in 2013. As I was driving home one night, I passed an accident: A car had hit a runner. My husband, Jim, was involved in the running community, so I pulled over to see if I could help. That's when I discovered that the person who had been struck—and killed—was Jim. I felt like my world was crumbling. He had been my biggest cheerleader, and after his death it was hard for me to focus on anything— especially my health. I didn't know how to cook for one and had no desire to exercise. But when my then-26-year-old daughter called me crying, saying that if I died, she wouldn't have anyone left, I knew I had to change."

HEART VICTORY: Lowered triglycerides, decreased blood pressure and "bad" LDL cholesterol, and increased "good" HDL cholesterol

What worked: "I assumed that people would be too busy with their own lives to support me, so it was a welcome surprise to find that others were happy to lend a hand. My coworkers join me for exercise classes (we just tried ballet!), and when I told a friend about my attempt to replace diet soda with tea, she gave me a bag of her favorite flavors to try. I'm not alone in this journey, and that's huge."

Teri's stay-on-track secret: CLOSE YOUR DAY ON A POSITIVE NOTE

"Going to bed knowing I did what I could to help my health is the best feeling. So when I started the challenge, I would march in place while watching my evening television shows until I hit my goal of 10,000 steps."

My story: "As a mom who balances multiple jobs (school lunch aide and bus driver), my days are hectic and stressful. Food was my go-to for dealing with the pressure. As my weight and blood pressure ticked upward, it became clear that this tactic was only adding to my anxiety."

HEART VICTORY: Lowered blood pressure, increased good cholesterol and lowered bad cholesterol

What worked: "Over the weekend, I cut up vegetables and strategize the recipes I'll cook in the upcoming days. Mapping out my food choices means I don't make bad decisions, and being organized about my diet has paid off in other ways. I use the time when I previously would have snacked to do bills or clean the house. Now my life feels structured—and that helps lessen stress."

Leta's stay-on-track secret: LET VEGGIES BE THE STAR OF THE MEAL

"I no longer think of vegetables or salad as the side dish. Instead, I serve them first and fill most of my plate. When there's only a small space left for the main entrée, I'm not tempted to scoop up a huge serving."