Transforming journeys Part 2: Amy's process of "shedding".(Innerbeauty: new strategies for vibrant living)

I always feel a little awkward asking someone I've helped if I can share her story with the public. While I'm convinced that there's no more powerful teacher or inspiration than a personal success story, I've learned from my own experience that any real transformation begins long before the body starts to change, and it goes on long after the photographer clicks the "after" shot. Here is just a snapshot of one woman's journey that has only just begun.

Amy Montgomery Takes Control

KJ: Amy, when did you decide to make a change in your life?

AM: I never thought the words "eating disorder" applied to me, but last year, when my sister gave me your book, I weighed the heaviest I had in my life and was just beginning to admit that I needed help. I had tried all the popular diet plans, but with no long-term success. The loss of my marriage--compounded by the fact that I was approaching 223 pounds--had me feeling truly hopeless. Until I read your chapter about food addiction, I didn't even know that I had an eating disorder. I just thought there was something wrong with me. I just didn't care about my body or my health.

In retrospect, I know a tot of my problems stemmed from emotional stuff, although other physical issues that heightened my addiction--which I had no clue about until much later--came into play. I was in a marriage that wore down my self-esteem. I began, unknowingly, to seek more and more comfort in food. It's hard to say if I treated myself poorly because I felt terrible about myself, or if I felt terrible about myself because of what I kept doing to my body. I had become convinced deep down that I wasn't worthy of respect, perhaps because I felt I couldn't even show it to myself. At a size 22, I was ashamed that nay kids had such an overweight mother.

KJ: Amy, you look like a different person today. What do you think is responsible for this transformation?

AM: I made a game plan for myself after reading your book. I decided to do three things: 1) I started to change airy starchy or sugary food or drink choices to low-glycemic choices, which surprisingly required no sacrifice of any of my favorite foods. I also cut way down on diet soda, which I learned wasn't doing any good and may have been causing harm. 2) I started taking supplements to balance my blood sugar, serotonin and hormone levels. I had to determine which weight-related health issues pertained to me; everyone's different, so I couldn't just start a one-size-fits-all supplement regimen. But once I determined the right ones for me, I took them faithfully because I saw how they had worked for you. 3) I started dealing with my emotional issues. Reading some self-help books you recommended and spending time with supportive people, like my mother and sister, was key. I am very lucky. They have been so great through this.