Excerpt

Erica Jong once said, "If you don't risk anything, you risk more." Writing this book is my risk, but I was encouraged by too many people not to take this risk. You see, in July of 2003, at five feet, two inches tall I weighed 248.5 pounds, and this is the first time I have ever confessed that number to anyone. I was at the lowest point in my life, again, and couldn't go on another day feeling the way I did. I was in my bathroom looking at my prescription bottle of Ambien® sleeping pills, thinking this was one way to make the pain go away. I looked in the mirror and knew that really wasn't the way I was going to deal with this, but the pain was so great that it was at least an option for me. For some reason I just felt challenged to try one more time to see if I could figure out this mystery that eluded me all of my life, how to lose the weight and keep it off for good.

Me with my two dogs, Ema and Koko

I said I was at my lowest point again, and I meant it. This was the third time that I weighed above 220 lbs. I weighed 221 lbs. when I graduated from college, and then I ate my way to 241 lbs. after leaving the Navy in 1995. I couldn't believe I let it happen again! How could I be so out of control in this part of my life when I was so in control in every other aspect? I had a fulfilling career as a nurse, amazing friends and a very loving, supportive family by my side, no matter what. I knew I needed to be honest with myself and really examine what I had tried in the past and why these plans or schemes hadn't worked. I made the decision to put the knowledge I had learned over the years on nutrition, diabetes, metabolism, weight loss, physiology, and exercise, and come up with a way that would work for me. I started this journey in August of 2003 and I did find a way to change my life so that I could live as healthy a life as I think God wants us all to live. This is my story, my most embarrassing and shameful moments, as well as my small victories along the way to losing more than 120 pounds and changing my life forever!