I Have tried Adkins, South Beach, everything after my freshman 15 became freshman 60. Dr. Brown's Choices program is the only program that worked for me. It gave me confidence and self-esteem. I am so very happy with the results that I carry her cards around and pass them out at my gym, my job, everywhere! I have more energy now then I had when I was 20 years old. Losing weight is difficult, to the constant affirmations from the staff made it much easier.

When I came to see Dr. Brown on October 7, 2009, I was desperate. I have been overweight all of my life but have always been the healthy one in my family. I was never sick and very active until.I hit my 40s. My health began suffering from all the years of carrying around extra pounds.

I had arthritis in my right knee and even after two surgeries was in a lot of pain. My rheumatologist told me that the single most important thing I could do to help my arthritis was to lose weight. I decided to check out surgery as an option. I have tried other diets and have lost weight but always ended up putting the weight back on and then some.

After deciding on the lap band surgery, my insurance informed me that I would need six months of physician assisted weight loss before they would approve me for surgery. That is when I came to see Dr. Brown. I was impressed with the testing that was completed during my first visit. Being a nurse, this first visit was of the utmost importance. After meeting Dr. Brown, I began to feel comfortable that she not only knew what she was doing, but that it truly mattered to her that I lost weight. She informed me that I not only had arthritis but also was also pre-diabetic and had low Vitamin D levels. Things were worse than I even knew.

I am happy to report that six months have passed and I no longer have a need for invasive surgery. Wow!!!

It has not been an easy journey! At first I was overwhelmed with the changes I would have to make. I would literally have to empty my kitchen and start over. My kids who are 7 and 9 would have to join me on this journey. We would all have to make changes.

I said many prayers in those first few weeks and asked God for the help I would need to make the necessary changes. With His help and the assistance of Dr. Brown and her wonderful staff, I have been able to succeed.

I was so excited a few weeks ago to be able to go buy clothes in the regular department store instead of the womenÂs department. My knee pain is under control and no longer keeps me from exercising and doing things with my kids. My energy levels have improved, and my outlook on life is definitely brighter.

The changes I have made in my life as a result of this program are permanent changes. I no longer have the desire to run through the fast food drive through, but keep nuts and protein bars accessible at all times. I don't crave caffeine and sodas anymore, but really enjoy a cup of herbal tea. As you discipline your body, you develop new tastes that you really enjoy. I know that after I leave the program I will be able to sustain the changes, because they are not temporary.

I used to live to eat. Now I am happy to say that I eat to live. I look at each thing I am going to put into my mouth and make sue that it has nutritional value for my body. It's about fueling my body, not soothing my emotions. Our emotional needs can never be met by the food that we put in our mouths.

Thanks to everyone at Choices for helping me choose to be heathy!!!