At her heaviest, Regina Lopez had a body mass index, or BMI, of 45, which doctors consider to be severely obese. She hated being overweight because she couldn't fit into trendy clothing. "I'm all into style," she says.
'I'm all into style' —
At her heaviest, Regina Lopez had a body mass index, or BMI, of 45, which doctors consider to be severely obese. She hated being overweight because she couldn't fit into trendy clothing. "I'm all into style," she says.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez never wore jeans or pants when she was overweight because "they never fit." A self-described thrifty shopper and fashionista, she used to visit flea markets and wish she could buy some of the clothes on display.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez never wore jeans or pants when she was overweight because "they never fit." A self-described thrifty shopper and fashionista, she used to visit flea markets and wish she could buy some of the clothes on display.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez's little sister Francine Hernandez, right, says growing up poor had a significant impact on their eating habits as adults.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez's little sister Francine Hernandez, right, says growing up poor had a significant impact on their eating habits as adults.
Courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez, right, and her co-workers decided to start a weight-loss competition in spring 2012. Norma Vasquez, middle, lost 30 pounds during the challenge. Their friend Wendy Sunico cheered them on.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez, right, and her co-workers decided to start a weight-loss competition in spring 2012. Norma Vasquez, middle, lost 30 pounds during the challenge. Their friend Wendy Sunico cheered them on.
courtesy Regina Lopez
By October 2012, Lopez had lost more than 50 pounds.
'I'm all into style' —
By October 2012, Lopez had lost more than 50 pounds.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez says she loves being able to fit into cute clothes and embrace her sense of style.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez says she loves being able to fit into cute clothes and embrace her sense of style.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez gave up carbohydrates for seven months. Now she eats fruit and <strong>Oatmeal Squares </strong>cereal for breakfast, has a spinach salad for lunch and eats vegetables and lean meats for dinner.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez gave up carbohydrates for seven months. Now she eats fruit and Oatmeal Squares cereal for breakfast, has a spinach salad for lunch and eats vegetables and lean meats for dinner.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Her cholesterol went down after she lost weight, and she has more energy now. "It's been a big life change," she says.
'I'm all into style' —
Her cholesterol went down after she lost weight, and she has more energy now. "It's been a big life change," she says.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez says before she lost weight she always wanted "to be able to throw on a pair of jeans and T-shirt and go. Which I can do now!" She poses here with co-worker Rebecca Giesking.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez says before she lost weight she always wanted "to be able to throw on a pair of jeans and T-shirt and go. Which I can do now!" She poses here with co-worker Rebecca Giesking.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez has lost 97 pounds since May 2012. She went from a size 22/24 to a size 6.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez has lost 97 pounds since May 2012. She went from a size 22/24 to a size 6.
courtesy Regina Lopez
Lopez still runs on the beach six days a week. She says she hopes to run a half marathon one day.
'I'm all into style' —
Lopez still runs on the beach six days a week. She says she hopes to run a half marathon one day.
Courtesy Regina Lopez