Carbonell - 150 Pounds Gone Forever

Ever since I lost 158 pounds, Ive had the desire to help people who feel stuck in a body they no longer recognize. I currently write a blog, which you can find at www.fittothefinish.com/blog, and I teach weight-loss classes based on my weight-loss plan, Fit to the Finish. Over the years, I have witnessed other people have the same kind of success Ive had. This book honors the many requests Ive had to put my story and my plan together in a book anyone can use to get results.

If you have ever stood in front of your mirror wondering how you got to be overweight, this book is for you. Like you, I tried many different diet plans in an attempt to lose weight, but nothing clicked for me. As I stood in front of my mirror in 1997, I realized that the person looking back at me bore little resemblance to the person I wanted to be. At more than 300 pounds, I was depressed and unattractive. I suffered from low self-esteem and had little energy. I knew in my heart that the only way to overcome my all-consuming overeating was to make some changes.

I did not want a quick fix. Id had my share of unsuccessful dieting experiences and was tired of bouncing from one fad diet to the next. I knew I didnt need a short-term weight-loss plan but one that would last a lifetime.

In 150 Pounds Gone Forever, I detail my personal challenges of living as an obese wife, mother, and friend. I give you a picture of a life lived in morbid obesity (all while keeping a sense of humor) and the amazing, dramatic changes that came about as I lost weight and found myself again. It was not all roses and happiness, as I had to deal with difficult life situations, unexpected reactions from friends and family, and the fear that I might regain every single pound I lost.

This book is part memoir and part self-help, as I weave together stories of my life with questions just for you. You will have the opportunity to examine why you are overweight, to determine what kinds of foods push your buttons, and to develop lifelong weight-maintenance strategies that will work for you. I also give you a three-pronged approach to losing weight that is easy, costs very little, and works.

At first you will learn to eat according to established medical guidelines, practice eating the correct portions of food, and begin a realistic exercise program. As you journey with me through 150 Pounds Gone Forever, I will teach you how to deal with the daily weight-loss challenges that occur in each of our livesfrom eating small portions during holidays to ordering a plan-friendly meal at a restaurant.

Is it easy? No, losing weight and keeping it off is not easy, but it is possible and sometimes even enjoyable. When I was stuffing my face with potato chips, or sitting down gingerly in chairs that might not hold my weight, I never in a million years imagined that I could lose half my weight and live the rest of my life as an active mom to seven beautiful children. Instead, I imagined myself sitting in a chair while the rest of my family enjoyed hikes, bike rides, running in the yard, and swimming. Instead of envisioning myself running down the road with the wind in my hair, I imagined myself getting my shopping done on a grocery store scooter, oblivious to onlookers as I drove through the aisles picking out cookies, candy, and chips.

My first step out from the oppression of obesity involved realizing that I would never get closer to any dream by just sitting down and waiting for something to happen magically. Your first step may be reading this book, but your journey to lose weight and stay at a healthy weight for the rest of your life will involve many steps. You can start by answering the questions I pose in the upcoming chapters, making a commitment to healthy eating, learning to eat the right portion sizes, and starting an exercise program that fits within your lifestyle and physical capabilities.

The plan I offer isnt full of silver bullets and false hope. Its a practical and realistic plan grounded in common sense and sound medical information. I know that it can be scary to try to lose weight, as you might have failed before. But I assure you that you will never regret making the smart choice between a healthy and an unhealthy lifestyle. Never once when I was losing weight did I regret turning down a brownie or having a salad instead of a fatty hamburger. And never once was I sorry that I exercised.