In December 2005, I was 210 pounds, had high cholestrol, gout, and in the pre-stages of type 2 diabetes.  I really wasn't happy about myself and the lack of energy.  During the Christmas holidays I decided I was going to change in 2006.  My initial goal was to lose 20 pounds.  I was convinced that my optimum weight for my 5'11" frame was 190 pounds.  I researched the best way to lose weight and initially I started with the South Beach Diet and I was able to lose 20 pounds in the first month.  In the first month I didn't really exercise.  It was too cold outside and I really didn't feel like exercising.  After losing that first 20 pounds I really felt better and I started exercising.  I can remember taking a walk after I had lost that first 20 pounds and thinking I sure do have a lot more energy then it hit me I had been walking around with a 20 pound fanny pack so of course it was easier.

After the first month I started modifying my diet and making some really long term life style changes.  I took some of the ideas of the South Beach Diet but I also added some other ideas.  I found the key to me was substitution.  I felt better about substituting a healthy food for an unhealthy food rather than focusing on all the foods I wasn't going to eat.  The thing I did that was probably the most helpful was I really sat down and evaluated what I ate and why I ate as much as I did.  When I was a kid and a teenager I was underweight and my mother was constantly trying to get me to gain weight.  Once I was out of college I didn't have the underweight problem  but I still had the old habits.  I really didn't change the habits but I did change the foods I ate.  Instead of having a bowl of ice cream at night I had some peanuts in a shell.  I substituted canadian bacon for american bacon and whole grain bread for white bread. 

After six months I had lost 45 pounds and now I hover around 165 pounds.  The biggest benefit of this weight loss is most of my medical problems have gone away with the weight.  I am no longer in the pre stages of type 2 diabetes, my cholestrol is at a normal level, and I haven't had gout since I lost the weight.  I really wish someone had told me ten years ago how much better you feel after you lose the weight and that you can still enjoy yourself and stay healthy which is the reason for this website.