DECATUR - As the fifth week of Lose to Win drew to a close, all four role models reported at least some weight loss since starting the program. And with about six weeks to go, they are continuing to work toward the goals they set in the beginning.

Leanne Canaday, 51, has shed almost 10 pounds since beginning the Herald & Review's 12-week healthy eating, fitness and lifestyle change program.

"I feel like I've been pretty focused, journaling and working out every week," she said.

Canaday, who weighed in at 184 pounds when Lose to Win began, has started spinning classes, water aerobics, bike rides, resistance training and other fitness activities.

"I'd say probably it's being able to continue with the spinning," Canaday said was her proudest accomplishment, adding that she's in class with people 10 and 20 years younger. "I feel pretty good about the fact that I'm strong and able to do that."

Although her scale at home didn't show that she'd lost any weight between the week four and five weigh-ins, Canaday said family support and the reinforcement she finds through journaling keep her going. Other role models shared similar feelings.

"I think I have more energy during the day, and I just feel better about myself," said Linda Constant, 29.

Constant goes to the park with her daughter Paige, 3, just about every day. In week five, after a trip to the park, Constant made grilled cheese sandwiches for lunch - hers on whole wheat and Paige's on white. She cut up strawberries on the side, and the mother and daughter each drank a glass of milk. She said she tries to teach her daughter about the vitamins and health benefits of certain foods rather than teaching her that there are healthy and unhealthy options.

"I try not to put negative connotations on foods," she said.

Constant, who weighed in at 261 pounds at the beginning of Lose to Win, has lost about nine pounds. She said she continues to try to be more active after mealtimes by taking her dogs for a walk or going somewhere with her daughter.

"I think as long as I keep a routine it'll be all right," Constant said of Paige going off to preschool this fall.

Two of the most difficult battles for Constant are trying to remember to keep up with her food and activity journaling and maintaining portion control. She said it's difficult to deal with social situations that involve food.

"It's like a constant struggle," she said. "And I know it's always going to be like that."

But exercise is getting easier for Constant, who recently went from five- to 10-pound hand weights.

"It kind of made me feel like what I'm doing is actually working," she said of the definition she's started to see in her arms.

Marcia Williams, 64, met with Tina Cloney, who directs the self-management education program for diabetes at the Decatur Memorial Hospital Wellness Center. One of Williams' goals in beginning the program was to develop tools that would help her keep her diabetes under control, and she said she's been trying to take Cloney's advice about food intake and remaining active after meals.

"I'm really trying to get the right carbohydrates and the right proteins," Williams said.

One specific aspect of her diet Williams has been working on is trying to increase the amount of fish she eats, even though she doesn't like to prepare it.

After weighing in at 213 pounds at the start of Lose to Win, Williams has trimmed about six pounds - a weight loss she attributes to watching what she eats and beginning regular exercise program at the Decatur Family YMCA.

Despite missing a few workouts in the past week, Williams strives to maintain a positive attitude and keep up with her exercise regimen as best as possible.

"If I miss, I'll just go the next day," she said. "I've got to get back in there."

Williams also said she's learned not to be so hard on herself and to work on reinforcing herself for achieving small milestones.

John Davis, 65, invited panelist Susie Engle, health and fitness director at the YMCA, to visit his house and evaluate his workout space. Davis, who has had both hips and knees replaced, has a recumbent stationary bicycle and a weight training machine near his downstairs office.

Engle said she was pleased with Davis' setup. She praised his planning and the fact that he has had instruction on how to select and operate exercise equipment that is appropriate for him.

One of Davis' biggest challenges has been keeping up with his food and activity journal, but he said he is trying to record his food intake and exercise more often.

Davis has lost about 10 pounds since starting the program. He supplemented the advice he is getting through Lose to Win by ordering several courses of meals through a popular diet program that sends food through the mail.

Davis derives some of his motivation from the people who come up to him and share that they have followed his story in the newspaper. And Davis measures some of his success from the simple fact that he doesn't breathe as hard during activity as when he started the program.

"I feel better," Davis said. "Physically and emotionally."

Annie Getsinger can be reached at agetsinger@herald-review.com or 421-6968.