Amazing Transformations

Elaine once believed that letting herself go was just part of the aging process. She had short, dark hair; wore masculine glasses; was much heavier; wore loose, unattractive and unfeminine clothing; and didn't wear makeup. "I had really had this mindset that I was old, and the goal was just to coast from here on out and get through the rest of life as easily as possible," Elaine says.

Then, a bomb dropped on her life—she discovered her husband was having an affair. After struggling with depression, Elaine finally decided to view the divorce as an opportunity rather than a setback. She started using tips from The Oprah Show and O, The Oprah Magazine to improve herself: She lightened her hair, began exercising daily, got contact lenses, whitened her teeth and adopted a younger style. Additionally, Elaine, now 53, started on the Zone Diet, began taking vitamin supplements and lost 17 pounds!

"I got an e-mail from my cousin and she said, 'Your brother said you were hot! And if a brother says you're hot, wow, you must be doing something. What's going on?'"