My mom once told me that, because of my Spina Bifida, the doctors told her that I would never walk. Then once I began walking, they told her that if I became overweight as an adult that I would become wheelchair bound.

As an adult, I was always fairly fit even without the benefit of what little exercise I could do due to my physical constraints. But once I got married, I slowly started to gain more and more weight. I got the "happy fat".

I remember looking at my profile in the mirror one day thinking, "oh my goodness, is that me? I look so old! Look at my neck!" There was no denying it after that, I was becoming overweight. It really didn't bother me enough to do anything about it until we adopted our daughter from China.

When I saw how precious she was and how active she was becoming, I knew I had to start doing something about it. I had labored breathing walking from the car to the house. I couldn't walk my daughter around the block and talk to her at the same time without being completely winded.

I kept hearing the doctor's voice in the back of my head "wheelchair bound" wheelchair bound". Well, I knew wheelchair bound was not something I was ready or willing to accept. I had too many wonderful days of climbing, traveling, picking up and wrestling with my daughter for that to happen.

Then my friend, Karisse, started posting about this diet that changed her life and gave her freedom she never thought she would have. After talking with her about it, I knew I had to try it. She saw results so why couldn't I? That was August 2012 at 165 lbs on my 5 foot frame. November 5 2012, just 2 1/2 months I could scream like the soccer announcers do: "goooooooalllllll! I was officially 129.6 lbs.*

cried when I stepped on the scale. The chains of food addiction that bounded me were gone thanks to the structure of the diet, the support from the Facebook page and meetings, and most importantly, the encouragement my coach, Millicent, gave me. The coach is such a vital part of the program. I also leaned heavily on the Hebrew 12:11 scripture that says "no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Repeating this verse out loud got me through some tough drives past the Starbucks and the sushi joints.

Now I look and feel younger. My smile is wider and my eyes are brighter thanks to this new-found freedom through G&S and, oh yeah, Hey doctors, Look at me! No wheelchair!

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* Individual results may vary.