From 330 to 150 pounds? From size 34 to 8 -- all in just over a year? Impossible? No! Miraculous? Yes! I give all the glory to God, but Kimkins has played a major role in my success, and I will be forever grateful that I started this program on June 25, 2007.

At age 59 I had been overweight almost my entire life and what doctors label morbidly obese for the last 20 years. I had lost and regained or utterly failed at many programs, including Appetite Control (like Weight Watchers), Overeaters Victorious, Weigh Down Workshop, and Atkins.

What Kimkins offered that the others didn't was both low carb and low fat, meaning that I lost rapidly and stayed in ketosis, which it stated takes away cravings.

Also extremely important to me were both the online support and advice from other members and the numerous creative recipes available, as I like to cook and need variety to avoid getting bored and going off plan. I learned to personalize the plan to make a permanent change in my eating habits and without major cheats -- even for those holidays and special occasions.

I lost the first 100 pounds in less than 6 months. At that point I added exercise and now work out 3 times a week at Curves and walk 3 miles another 3 days. I've even started doing weight lifting DVDs. I have all kinds of energy and have so enjoyed doing the things I thought were forever gone from my life -- crossing my legs, kneeling, swimming, staying "up" for the entire day without napping -- the list goes on and on.

Food is losing its ugly hold on me in spite of the years it claimed. I have traded in that old "best" friend for joy in living!

Kimkins has truly become a way of life for me--not just a diet. I am now able to help others with the same help with which I was helped--what a privilege! I am so very thankful to Kimmer for coming up with this plan and, as I said before, "To God be the glory -- great things He has done!"

Ingredients  (serves 4)

• 16 oz flank steak, sliced 1/8" strips about 2" long
• 1 cup sliced purple onion
• 1 cup sliced red, green and yellow bell pepper (mix all for color)
• 1 large portobello mushroom sliced very thin
• 1 green onion, chopped
• 2 tsp chili powder
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp ground oregano
• 1/2 tsp black pepper
• 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper (optional for less spicy)
  

Add onions, peppers and mushrooms in large mixing bowl.  Mix spices together and set aside.  In a separate mixing bowl sprinkle spice mixture over beef, turning to coat evenly.  Spray both vegetable and beef mixtures lightly with nonstick cooking spray.

In large nonstick skillet sprayed with cooking spray, then saute onion, peppers and mushrooms over medium heat until softened about 8 minutes.   Push vegetables to outer edge and add spiced beef.  Cook beef until no longer pink.  Blend beef and vegetables together and serve hot!   You can also prepare this "Ropa Vieja" style by adding 1 cup beef broth and cooking in a slow cooker for 4-6 hours at "medium".

Calories:  163
Carbs:  5  grams
Protein:   23 grams

• 1 cups roasted red peppers (jarred OK)
• 2 cup tomatoes, diced
• 1/2 medium purple onion, diced
• 1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
• 1 clove garlic
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded & minced
  
• 1/2 tsp each black pepper & salt

Add peppers, tomato, onion and garlic in a blender with 2 tablespoons of water or chicken broth and process on high for 15 seconds.  Pour in serving bowl and mix in onion, jalpeno and cilantro.  Check seasonings and serve!

Calories:  16
Carbs:  3 grams
Protein:  <1  grams

MINI-GOAL TREATS
Cheat Free Rewards (or Reminders!)

Are you having difficulty getting started? Try making plans for a regular activity with a friend. Arrange to have lunch on the weekend at a favorite restaurant a mile away, and walk there and back together. Set up a regular Saturday morning tennis game. Or schedule a walk after dinner twice a week with your friends or family.

Some people prefer solo exercise, but for others, much of the pleasure comes from getting together to play a game of touch football, participate in a "walk-a-thon" or other fund raiser involving physical activity, help plant or maintain a community garden, or go dancing with others. This social side of exercise can boost your enjoyment of the activity as well as help you stick with it.

See what frequent Oprah guests, Drs. Mehmet Oz and Michael Roizen suggest for you!