Melissa says she's overweight because she's an emotional eater. "The first thing I do when the day is bad is [eat fast food]," she says. "I realized how much I turn to favorites when I don't feel good."

An Oprah show with Bob Greene re-energized her desire to try again. "Someone said, 'You just need to start doing healthy things for your body and the motivation will come.'"

Melissa says she's been unable to maintain weight loss in the past because it was difficult to commit. But being in shape, Melissa says, is critical to her emotional well-being. "I'm trying to view this one day at a time, so I don't get overwhelmed," she says. "I believe that will help me continue. Just one day at a time. Baby steps!"