Five years ago, I noticed my health started to take a downward spiral.. I was illall the time, I knew I needed to go to a doctor. I'm so glad I did, afterperforming a complete and thorough work-up, I was diagnosed with High BloodPressure, Thyroid Deficiency, and I was also told I was a borderline Diabetic. Withthe new diagnosis and the treatments, I could open my own pharmacy. I knew I didnot want to continue down this road of inevitable destruction. So, on September 1,2006, I made a lifestyle change and decided I was going to eat healthier andincorporate an exercise program as part of my daily regimen. I started eating alow-carb and no sweets diet..

I come from a family with a long history Diabetes and Heart Disease. You see I knowfirst hand what it means to be a healthier you. My mother had two open heartsurgeries, and she was an Insulin Dependant Diabetic which triggered multiple healthproblems. My mother lost her mother at the age of 56 to heart related problems, andon February 27, 2007, I lost my mother at the age of 59 to the very same killer. Before my mother passed away, I promised her I would continue with my weight lossand exercise plan because she did not want me to be sick like her.

It has been a year since I started my lifestyle change, and let me tell you, I havenever felt better. I have lost a total of 70 pounds, going from 243 pounds (size22) to 173 pounds (size 12). I still eat lots of fruit and green vegetables and amvastly approaching my 100 pound weight loss goal. However, the last pounds arealways the hardest, but I am very happy with my current accomplishment. By no meanshas it been easy, but I am proof that anyone, if they set their mind to it, can doit as well.