Chip went from size 46 to size 36! Its almost hard to decide where to start my story. For as long as I can remember, I have always been a big guy. I have always tried to compensate for it with personality (and have done a pretty good job, if I do say so myself) because that was one way I could get people to accept me regardless of my size. During high school I lost 35 pounds while working at a summer camp, but I shortly put it back on. In college, the freshman 15 became the freshman 35. I have spent my adult life misusing food in every way possible: as a friend when I was lonely, as a comforter when I was sad, even as a means of self punishment (though I did not see it that way) when I was angry or stressed. I would eat supper at home only to stop at the fast food restaurant a few miles down the road on my way to a friends house and would make up reasons to go out so that I could stop off for some candy at the convenience store. I tried the (F)Atkins diet and lost 45 pounds only to put it right back on when I got tried of not having any bread or pasta (or it seemed like anything that I really l wanted). To say that I am embarrassed by the way I used to be is an understatement. It does, however, make what has happened in the last six months that much more exciting. In early October, it was starting to get cold here in South Carolina but I was still wearing shorts. There was no question in my mind that the jeans buried deep in my closet would not fit. I was right and I knew that that meant another discussion with my wife about how she couldnt believe that I was going to go up another size. I finally broke down and went to the store for some new clothes. In the store dressing room, I stuffed into a pair of 46 jeans and was furious with myself. I made the decision (as I had many times before) that this would be the last time. In fact, I refused to buy more than one pair. I vowed that I would get back into my old clothes even if I had to wash that one pair of jeans every day for a month. I had no idea how I was going to get the weight off, but I knew it had to go. When I got home that day, I was doing something around the house and the infomercial for the SMART Technique. I must admit, I watched it with shame because I wondered if it had really come to this. It seemed like the folks on the infomercial were speaking directly to me. I turned off of the TV. and tried to forget about it, I would find my own way. As much as I tried, I could not forget the web address. I finally went and reread the information, checked over the chat forums, and ordered the program. I couldnt tell my wife until after it got here because I knew she would see it as a waste of money. So did I, thats why I dont actually have true before photos. Nevertheless, I started the program with a vengeance 2 days before Halloween and have never looked back. Do I think the CDs work? Yes! Can I explain how? Nope, and frankly I do not care to. My personal experience has been enhanced not only because I liked the Food Lovers Plan that came with the CDs, but also because I have come to love to exercise. The slogan Just listen and lose is true only if you allow the listening to lead to an effort to change. Though I thought I spent a fair amount of time sleeping, I can vividly remember hunger pains turning into my stomach healing. I can remember becoming excited about the idea of getting rid of the toxins in my body when I exercised. Cant explain it but it works! The SMART Technique has changed my body, my mind and my life. For years, I have preached about discipline in my financial planning practice, now I have some. Currently I do some sort of workout daily. My wife and I do workout tapes together 6 evenings a week. I play basketball two mornings a week and lift weights the other 3. Not because I have to or just for weight loss, but because I enjoy it (really!). While I used to go to the gym and feel like people were looking at me because I was fat now I know they are looking at me because they can see the difference. I now have an opportunity to share with others that surgery and gimmicky diets arent the only answer (though the media seems to promote these almost exclusively). I am enjoying my life more than ever and am thankful the Lord put SMART in my path. Watch out Jared! Oprah, here I come!