"My journey actually began when I was a child. I started gaining weight when I was around 10 years old. I wasn't obese but I was a little larger than most of my friends. Guess I didn't think much about weight loss until I was in my early twenties. I think I went thru a period of not thinking much of myself, low self-esteem.

During my dating years with my future husband I was living in a board house and the land lady was a fantastic cook. She would go to the grocery every day and made sure everything was fresh for our evening meal. That was good, but, my future husband worked late sometimes and would come by to pick me up to go eat again, bad.

We did this for quite some time and I was slowly putting on the pounds. We got married and sometime later we went to Las Vegas for a few days. We were wined and dined and I ate everything in sight. Well, on the way back on the plane I was more miserable than I had ever been in my life. I told God if he would let me get to Nashville safely I would go to the first Weight Watchers meeting I could find. I began immediately and was so committed that not a drop would go in my mouth that I shouldn't be eating. I lost 40 lbs. and remember the day that I saw my ribs for the first time. What a surprise!

So life goes on and pregnant and got very fat. And I'm not just talking baby fat. I would eat anything in sight. The only chocolate pie I have made in my life was when I was pregnant.

A few years passed and my husband decided to start running. I really didn't care for that but then I realized he had met lots of active friends, and slim, and I usually was not included. When I was around these people I stuck out like a sore thumb. I woke up one day and realized I didn't want to live this way. I wanted a better body and be able to be included with my husband and friends. I took up running and even now hard for me to believe but I ended up with my lowest weight being 109. People thought I had cancer or some other disease. I slowly did gain some weight back but managed to stay somewhat small for a while.

Off and on thru the years I have gone to Weight Watchers and lost, gained, gone back, lost, gained. You get the picture. I have tried many other diet plans and seems like it is always the same results. Guess I had resigned myself that I would always have a weight problem. Deep down I wanted better because I wanted to wear smaller clothes but not enough that I was able to keep it off.

Last year when winter came along I was having trouble getting into some of my clothes but if there was something I couldn't wear I would put to the back of the closet.

Several years ago I sold Pampered Chef and my former director was on Grace and Strength. One of my co-workers came in one day with my order where I had purchased something and asked if I had seen Donna. I said no and she told me the success that Donna was having losing weight. She would have a party and take her food with her rather than eat what she had prepared for the host's guests. I wasn't sure I would have that commitment, hard to pass up food like that.

Anyway, I called Donna to inquire about this program and I must admit, she did a fantastic job telling me all she could. Can you believe that in the back of my mind I was thinking this is just another I can add to the list of weight loss programs.

But, I kept thinking about this and guess God was working on me. I finally broke down and made the call to get signed up. It's funny since the first couple of days I was thinking I would be putting on pound after pound since you are gorging yourself.

The first week I lost almost seven lbs. and very happy. I ate exactly what I was supposed to and nothing else. I have eaten healthy most of my adult life and knew I shouldn't have much of a problem since I love veggies. My problem had been not eating the right combination and sometimes when we had a garden I would always want to fry the okra, squash, and cabbage would be cooked in a black iron skillet with butter and bacon grease. Oh, and I can't forget the hot corn bread with butter.

After I started Grace and Strength I had a problem with up and down. At times I knew what the problem was, I thought I had lost and a bite or two of this won't hurt. Donna told me in the beginning if I cheated it would catch up but I was thinking not me.

What was discouraging in my last few weeks that I was trying so hard and was doing everything by the book. Some days I would still gain and once after maybe three days I was about in tears. Coach Renee said to keep on doing what I was, the weight had to come off.

Seemed like it took forever but so thankful to all my team for encouragement. This program and new lifestyle is the best not only for weight loss but in learning about yourself and getting closer to God in prayer each day. I learned that it was OK to ask God for help. In my prayers I usually would never want to ask God for anything, it wasn't right in my opinion.

Things that have been learned from this journey is feeling like I have extreme determination and stamina. I always like to stay positive and now I have a broader smile on my face each day and walk with confidence that I can conquer the world. I awake each morning with a prayer in thanks for letting me wake up and giving me desire to want to help others. I am ready to embark on the next phase and I am so thankful that there will always be support from the Grace and Strength family. I have truly been blessed and know that God will continue to be with me forever."

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* Individual results may vary.