I have always been overweight. I was a heavy baby, a chubby child, a fat teen, and an obese adult. I'm 5 feet six inches, and in 1984 I reached a high of over 250 pounds. I decided to go on Weight Watchers and was able to lose over 110 pounds, getting down to 143. I became a Weight Watchers leader and managed to maintain my goal weight for three and a half years, but I found myself having to eat less and less to maintain my weight. I was always hungry. Before each monthly weigh-in, I would stop eating for four days and drink only diet soda. After weigh-in, I'd go to a restaurant and have a big meal. I always felt like I was living a lie. I finally gave up on Weight Watchers and tried to maintain my weight on my own. I found myself slowly gaining until I was over 200 pounds again and disgusted with myself. I felt like there was no thin me waiting to emerge. It was at this point that I discovered Atkins. I was down to 181 pounds when I started having pains that felt like gallbladder attacks. My doctor told me that my cholesterol was over 240 and that I needed to go on medication to bring it down. I hated to go off Atkins because I knew I would be hungry all the time and gain weight again. I felt like a failure. I could lose weight, but I was not able to maintain the weight loss.

One morning I was watching television, and Dr. Agatston came on. I went out and purchased his book and ended up reading it twice from cover to cover. I started the diet last July. After two weeks on Phase 1, I had lost almost 16 pounds. But best of all, my cravings and hunger had vanished. I moved to Phase 2, terrified that at any moment my cravings would reappear. They didn't. By the time September came around, people at work were asking me what I was doing. Four people from work are now on the plan.

I now eat good, healthy foods and have dropped down to 129 — 14 pounds below my original Weight Watchers goal. I didn't weigh 129 in my teens, so this is a major accomplishment. The best part is I don't need Lipitor — my cholesterol is in the normal range, under 180. I'm not hungry all the time, and I love being able to eat fresh, nourishing foods. I always plan ahead and make sure I have healthy snacks, meals, and desserts on hand. The South Beach Web site gives me access to so much information about nutrition, and the wonderful Buddy system makes me feel like I have a fighting chance at a normal life. I have never felt like this is a diet — I'm making lifestyle changes. To be at my goal weight at age 61 is truly a miracle, but to know I am a healthy 61-year-old is even more important.

Favorite snack: A bean-cake recipe I got off the Message Boards.

Favorite exercise: Walking whenever I can.

Most effective strategy when facing temptation: Planning ahead. I always bring my own desserts to parties.

Best advice for other SB dieters: The program works if you look at it as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. Diets have a beginning and an end — life changes are forever.