Trying to lose weight can feel challenging, but the thought of shedding 25 plus kgs? Impossible, you’re probably thinking. Maybe you’ve switched up your exercise routine but just aren’t seeing the results that you want, even though you’re working really hard to slim down. So, what gives?

Anyone who’s attempted to lose weight knows that good nutrition matters a lot when it comes to weight loss, just as much as exercising. Even a calorie-torching fitness plan needs to go hand-in-hand with healthy eating, or you may not reach your goals.

And if you thought that a healthy diet means bland, unappetising diet foods, think again. The truth is you can eat a ton of tasty foods that nourish your body, speed up your metabolism, and help you steer clear of cravings so you can finally lose weight.

To prove it, we asked seven women who’ve lost 25kgs or more to share their go-to healthy meals, and the results were surprisingly appetising—even bacon and chocolate make cameos! Here are the exact plans that helped these women find long-term success:

Jodi Friedman: How She Lost 32kg

Jodi, 44, had struggled with her weight due to polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and insulin resistance. But after a nutritionist helped her devise a low-carb, high-protein eating plan, she lost 32kg and is now training for a half marathon. “It’s important to find a nutritionist who understands your health issues and supports your needs,” she says.

A typical day’s meals:

Jennifer Finney: How She Lost 36kg

Motivated by a warning from her husband’s doctor, Jennifer, 41, and her hubby overhauled their eating habits together. “We went from a diet of processed foods, fast food, and dining out two or three times a week to a whole-food, plant-based diet,” she says. “We went all-in from day one, and the weight started melting off.” To date, she’s lost 36kg and now works as an online health and fitness coach.

A typical day’s meals:

Petrina Hamm: How She Lost 45kg

Petrina, 43, started the Atkins diet because her sister was interested in the plan. “She asked me to do it with her for support,” she says. Petrina eventually modified her diet for more balance and has lost a total of 45kg. She says the key has been “taking it one day at a time. Too many people devote too much focus to the end game.”

A typical day’s meals:

Whitney Herrington: How She Lost 30kg

The approach of a milestone birthday motivated Whitney, 29, to get serious about her eating habits. “I had been overweight my whole life, and I was determined not to go into my 30s fat!” she says. By following a low-carb, high-protein diet—with some extra carbs added in on workout days—she’s lost 30kg so far.

A typical day’s meals:

Erica House: How She Lost 27kg

Erica, 32, found that a little patience goes a long way. Shelost 27kg over the course of two years by cutting out fast food, sugar, and liquid calories like soft drink and alcohol. “The weight came off slowly, but it’s stayed off,” she says. “I went from being obese, binge drinking, and chain-smoking to a three-time marathoner, yoga instructor, and online personal trainer.”

A typical day’s meals:

Anne Jongleux: How She Lost 36kg

Anne, 56, tried a few tactics before finding what worked best for her. She started by weighing foods and counting calories: “That was great for helping me readjust my ideas of portion size, but impractical for a daily lifestyle,” she says. Last year she went on an elimination diet to identify food intolerances. Now she follows a “mostly Paleo” plan of lean proteins, healthy fats, and fresh produce, and she’s lost a total of 36kg.

A typical day’s meals:

Christian Ohonba: How She Lost 32kg

Christian, 30, says she stopped using food as a reward and started thinking of it as fuel for her goals. “I live with the philosophy that weight loss sparks greatness in all areas of life,” she says. Though she was scared to look at a scale before starting her weight loss journey, she estimates she’s lost around 32kg by tracking calories and journaling her eating habits.

A typical day’s meals:

This article originally appeared on Prevention US. 

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