The Challenge
For two months, 20
Oprah Show Ultimate Viewers took on
Bob Greene's 20 Years Younger Challenge. Bob says you can look and feel younger by revamping four areas of your life: exercise, nutrition, skin care and sleep. Along with his dream team of experts, Bob pushed the women to take 20 years off their looks and add years to their lives. The results? The women lost weight, erased wrinkles and got energized. See the incredible before and afters!
Watch some of the Ultimate Viewers tell their stories
Ann
Ann had been smoking since she was 20 years old, but when she signed up for the 20 Years Younger Challenge, she pledged to put the cigarettes away. "I'm 50 years old. If I don't do it now, I'm never going to do it," she said.
Ann lost 8 pounds in just two months and says she feels great!
On Ann: Tahari Woman "Diedra" Dress ($158), Via Spiga "Military" faux-leather stretch belt ($48), Classiques Entier® "Tallia" sandal ($129.95) from Nordstrom
Angel
At age 44, Angel says she's always been a "cheerleader for everyone else," but she never put in enough time for herself. Now, with the help of Bob Greene and his team of experts, she has taken back her health!
After just two months on the 20 Years Younger challenge, Angel has lost 19 pounds and gone off her blood pressure medication and heart pills. "I had given up so many times...I didn't think this was attainable," she says. "This needed to happen."
On Angel: St. John red coral shell ($195), St. John red coral sequin duster ($595), St. John jeans ($395), Mark & James by Badgley Mischka "Makayla" sandal ($225)
Angie D.
Before she started the challenge, Angie D. said she didn't shop for clothes anymore. "It's so defeating to walk in and you want to look good in something, and you look in the mirror and [say] 'hmm,'" she said.
With the help of Bob Greene and his team of experts, Angie lost 19 pounds.
On Angie: Theory "Millen-Intellect" Dress ($335), Glint ‘Kathryn’ Sandal ($109.95) from Nordstrom
Angie J.
Before starting the challenge, Angie J. said she had lost her oomph. "I don't like to get dressed at all during the day,” she said. "And even keeping up with my kids, I've lost the zest."
Now Angie's 14 pounds lighter and feeling energized!
On Angie: Tory Burch "Abagail" Silk Habutai Dress ($350), BP Platinum "Twirl" Sandal ($59.95) from Nordstrom
Cindy B.
Cindy B. is a wife, mother and grandmother and has a busy job. "This landed in my lap at the right time. How good can it get to have Bob Greene helping you? How can you not take this opportunity and make the best of it?"
Cindy lost 6 pounds in two months and transformed her health.
On Cindy: Theory white "Denisona" trouser pant ($245), DVF Purple tunic shirt ($325), Vince Camuto "Kira" leopard pump ($89.95) from Nordstrom
Cindy H.
Before the challenge, Cindy H. said she felt like a frumpy old lady. "I went from a size 2, 4 to a size 12, and I just look in the mirror and I don't see me anymore.“
Just two weeks into the challenge, Cindy says she had more energy. She lost a total of 7 pounds.
On Cindy: JAG Mia Slim Roll Jean ($59.50), Marc by Marc Jacobs fatigue green jacket ($298), Marc by Marc Jacobs "Arielle Bloom" blouse ($198), Lafayette 148 New York Leather Belt ($88), Franco Sarto Artist Collection "Ambrosia" sandal ($89.95) from Nordstrom
Darlene
Darlene says taking Bob's two-month challenge was like an answer to her prayers. "My daughter was killed a few years ago, and I just want to live a life that honors her life and be the best mom for my son Tyler. I want to be strong for Tyler. I wasn't really taking care of myself and being the best that I can be."
Darlene lost 9 pounds and says she got a new perspective on life.
On Darlene: Elie Tahari white jacket ($398), Vince striped shell ($135), DVF navy short ($198), Steve Madden "Haylow" sandal ($69.95)
Debbie
Debbie lost the most weight out of everyone participating in the challenge, dropping 27 pounds and 13 inches! "I said this is going to be a win-win, because it hasn't always been, and I actually changed the way I thought about food."
Debbie says she's maintaining her new figure by sticking to a diet and exercising during her lunch hour.
On Debbie: David Meister matte jersey dress from davidmeister.com ($330), Jimmy Choo "Lilac" (leopard) pump ($695) from Nordstrom
Jacquie
It wasn't all smooth sailing for Jacquie, who had a health scare during the challenge when dermatologist Dr. Harold Lancer discovered that she had skin cancer. After getting a full body scan, Jacquie had the cancerous skin removed and her health is now back on track. Jacquie also had laser treatment done on her age spots and lost 9 pounds.
On Jacquie: Rachel Roy column dress in orchid/cream ($595), Another Line skinny patent belt with covered buckle ($28.00), GUESS "Hondo 3" platform pump ($89.95) from Nordstrom
Jeanette
One month into the challenge, Jeanette says she started to notice a real difference. That's when she stopped focusing on the scale and started to focus on how she felt. "I had weighed myself every day since I was 16. I put the scale aside because I got tired of it telling me how I should feel every day."
After sticking out the challenge, Jeanette lost 11 pounds.
On Jeanette: Joie Serene Eclipse top ($128), Louben Flat Front Pant in Clay ($145), Burberry navy short trench ($995), Cole Haan "Air Violet" red patent shoe ($248) from Nordstrom
Jill
After seeing some pictures of herself that were taken at a friend's party, Jill said she was repulsed by the way she looked. "I was like, 'Oh my gosh, is that me?'" Jill said she felt overweight and sluggish, but after taking the challenge, she says she's more energized than ever—she lost 16 pounds and can even keep up with her teenage girls!
On Jill: Tory Burch "Demi" collarless tweed jacket ($495), Twenty jersey tank ($68), MICHAEL Michael Kors "Rectangle Link" chain belt ($40), Citizens of Humanity "Dita" bootcut stretch jeans in oxford wash ($189), Jimmy Choo "Ontario" sandal ($775) from Nordstrom
Jody
Before starting the challenge, Jody said she thought she looked old. "When I look in the mirror, I see my mom. And I love my mom, but I'm not ready to be 75."
Jody lost 9 pounds during the challenge.
On Jody: Elie Tahari (exclusive for Nordstrom) "Daphne" ($178), J Brand "811" midrise skinny leg in bright royal ($176), Seychelles Best of Mid Heel sandal in pewter leather ($90) from Nordstrom
Joyce
Joyce wanted to join the 20 Years Younger Challenge so she could set a good example for her teenage daughter. "I'm going to begin to love myself 100 percent. That way I can help her understand how to love herself."
Joyce is now taking back her health and has lost 12 pounds.
On Joyce: Lafayette 148 white tunic blouse ($298), Vince Camuto "Irena" leather belt ($52), Lafayette 148 black trouser dress pant ($198), MICHAEL Michael Kors Shimmer Sandal ($149.95) from Nordstrom
Kathleen
Kathleen was losing sleep from all the stress in her life—her husband had been laid off, and they had lost their house and all of their savings after adopting their daughter. While on the challenge, sleep specialist Dr. Ronald Kotler diagnosed her with sleep apnea and suggested she try a CPAP machine, a device worn while sleeping that blows air through the nose to ensure you don't stop breathing.
"It's amazing!" Kathleen says. "I am refreshed. I don't take big long naps during the day anymore, and my husband sleeps better because I'm not snoring all night." On top of getting her sleep life back on track, Kathleen has shed 7 pounds.
On Kathleen: Twelfth Street by Cynthia Vincent Salmon maxi dress ($295), Elizabeth and James jean jacket ($295), Steve Madden "Whisper" sandal ($89.95) from Nordstrom
Kathy
Kathy didn't have as much weight to lose as some of the other women, but she actually added 10 years to her life by quitting smoking. "Quitting isn't hard—staying stopped is the problem," she says. "It's still a struggle every once in a while, but it was part of this [challenge], and I think it was really the motivation I needed."
On Kathy: Suzi Chin for Maggy Boutique dress ($148), Glint "Kathryn" sandal ($109.95) from Nordstrom
Linda
Before starting the challenge, Linda says she worried about her health. "I've been carrying this weight around a long time, and fortunately I don't have heart issues yet, but two of my brothers have developed diabetes and have the same body type as me," she said.
Linda lost 20 pounds by limiting her caloric intake to 1,800 calories per day.
On Linda: Not Your Daughter's Jeans "Michelle" trouser ($118), MICHAEL by Michael Kors navy sequin shell ($130), Eileen Fisher Evening Cardigan in navy ($188), Vera Wang lavender "Nadia" platform pump ($325) from Nordstrom
Lisa
Before starting the challenge, Lisa said she wanted to look younger because she was 50 and single and wanted to appeal to men her age "and not senior citizens."
Lisa lost six pounds while on the challenge and even got a little Botox done to soften the crow's-feet around her eyes.
On Lisa: J Brand Lovestory jeans in White ($178), Radenroro NY Navy "Yudia" jacket ($405), BCBG "Devon" navy sequin shell ($198), Prada cutout platform wedge ($695) from Nordstrom
Mimi
Not only did Mimi lose 10 pounds on the challenge, but she also transformed her health by bringing down her cholesterol 100 points! "I'm so proud of myself, and I just feel amazing."
On Mimi: Grace fit metallic bridge tweed jacket ($109), Satin puff-sleeve shirt ($89.50), Nature fit white denim trouser jeans ($95), ankle-strap leather platforms ($169) from Talbots
Terri
Before taking on the challenge, Terri felt like she was getting lost. "People treat you differently at a certain age. They don't look at you, and you just don't feel like anybody even notices you're there."
Terri lost 19 pounds on the challenge.
On Terri: St. John belted "Dark Sunset Beach" jacket ($595), Theory white "Denisona" trouser pant ($245), KORS Michael Kors "Wilshire" sandal ($195) from Nordstrom
Verlisa
Verlisa's mother had died of a heart attack at age 47, and she was determined to not go down that same road. "My cholesterol is borderline, and I just don't want to have a lot of health issues in my old age."
While participating in the challenge, Verlisa lost 8 pounds, had years taken off her face by having moles removed and, most importantly, got her health back on track.
On Verlisa: Eileen Fisher bead trim linen shell ($178), Classiques Entier tie-front jacket ($268), Not Your Daughter's Jeans basic bootcut ($98), Ivanka Trump "Indico" pump ($129.95) from Nordstrom
