Taking it off, keeping it off: Woman shares how she did it

>> a good inspiration story. we've got just that for you. want to introduce 28-year-old michelle moore.

>> first this is her "before" picture at her heaviest. michelle was 210 pound. she is now just 110 pounds. come on out.

>> michelle used to wear a size 18 pants. now she's a size 0. how much of a difference? right there.

>> wow.

>> come on over.

>> thank you. good morning.

>> can i tell you something, i'd only seen your before pictures. and you passed us in the hall when we were ready to go out. was only after you walked past, i thought that must be michelle . congratulations.

>> thank you very much. the biggest comment i get, people don't believe they was ever heavy.

>> and -- you're this itty-bitty thing now. we know you've kept it off for more than five years. for most people, even if they lose it, the hardest part is maintaining. how did you do it?

>> really my own diet and exercise plan. i kind of did my own research on the internet, came up, tailored a plan that worked to me. i just -- that was my biggest thing.

>> you didn't set out saying i'm going to lose 100 pounds.

>> no, i didn't. it's really small goals you set for yourself. 100 pounds seems daunting. so just small goals, then once you hit your small goals, you make more goals.

>> talk about maintaining. that is often the hard thing for people. they can see those first five or ten pounds go away. then maintaining is hard.

>> absolutely. but it's a lifestyle change for sure. you make the small changes, but then they become habits. my lifestyle's completely different from what it used to be. i'm much more active and eat healthier.

>> and this has to be -- so many teams people say -- you're an inspiration for keeping it off. people have to make that decision on their own. you hit a breaking point.

>> absolutely. absolutely. i remember at one point, just laying on the couch and bawling, i'm never going to be thin. you know. but it was -- i got to the point where in a group of friends, i felt invisible. i really felt like no one listened to what i had to say. no one knew whether or not i was there in the room. i didn't want to be invisible anymore.

>> conversely, did you ever find people not in a mean way but trying to sabotage your weight loss at a certain point?

>> no, to be honest they were very supportive. what kept me motivated was the compliments i would receive. you know, michelle , you're looking so great, or good job. things like that.

>> you made this lifestyle choice now, and do you still have to think about every meal?

>> i do. i do think about all of the -- my choices. but like i said, it's become a habit. so it gets easier.

>> 100 pounds is a lot for folks. i wonder what advice you would give folks who -- that's a daunting number. i know that wasn't the number you had in mind. what's the best advice for folks?

>> the best advice is if i can do it, you can do it. and just, you know, it's a lifestyle change. don't think of it as a diet, a temporary.

>> a full lifestyle -- you did it in small steps . and the fact that it's inspirational to people, you didn't have a personal trainer . you didn't have a personal chef . you did this on your own.

>> absolutely.

>> well it can be done.

>> it can be done.

>> you look fantastic. you're inspiring me. i'm going to the gym today.

>> thank you.

>> michelle moore, thanks for being with us.