Accordingly, I have tried numerous diets myself over the course of my life. Atkins, the Beverley Hills Diet, South Beach Diet, Glyx… you name it. To start with, they often worked, too, and I shed the pounds. But just a short time later, I would develop a craving for everything I wasn't allowed to eat. Pretty soon the longing was stronger than my willpower. I abandoned all my good intentions, started comfort eating, despised myself for my lack of discipline, and began to feel inadequate because - once again - I had failed. Despite all this, after a while I would still try out the next diet craze in the hope of a great, fulfilling life with a few pounds less. But instead, I always ended up with a few pounds more!

At some point, I finally got it: Life can start NOW, no matter what my weight is.

My goal was no longer to lose three (or five, or ten) pounds, but to break the vicious circle of dieting, frustration, and self-loathing. I learned to accept myself (and my weight) and, all of a sudden, it became worthwhile to take care of myself. Now I wanted to do something good for me and my body. It felt wonderful and thereby became much easier to eat sensibly.