Royal Weight-Loss Tips From the Duchess of York

Jan. 30, 2006— -- As "Good Morning America" and AOL.com's 30-day initiative -- "America Takes It Off" -- comes to a close, a celebrity very familiar with food issues stopped by the Times Square studio.

Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York, has kept the weight off for seven years on the Weight Watchers plan and credits her long-term success to following three simples rules:

"Realizing you need a friend is vitally important," Ferguson said.

Relying on family is how Gina Crome, of California, and Emily Wiehardt, of Missouri, lost weight.

"It's lifestyle management," said Crome, who lost 173 pounds with the help of her husband.

"I really like just going down the hall and just knowing that I look good and people see me as me, not that I have a weight problem," said Wiehardt, who lost 77 pounds.

"It's just about education," Ferguson said. "People watching [this show] can say I can do it too."