Knowing is different than doing. The idea of losing weight is easy: eat less and move more. At least that's what we have always been told. The problem for me has always been that eating less was never an option. So, I would make those "lower calorie" alternatives and then find myself eating six servings. One-hundred calorie packs are no longer serving their purpose when you eat the entire box.

With HMR, "more is better" has literally saved my life. My HMR leaders have always told me that diets have two killers: boredom and hunger. So I battled both of these. I never let myself be hungry. I would have at least four shakes a day, a hot cereal, and at least two entrees while I was in decision free. I had a cabinet full of syrups, sodas, puddings and extracts to spiffy up my shakes at a moments notice. I have even made a completely decision-free friendly Tiramisu.

These same practices carried through in Phase 2 as I added fruits and vegetables to my more is better box. While I continue to have at least one entree, one cereal and three shakes almost every day, I now also have upwards of 10 to 15 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. More is better.

So, how has all of this changed me. Obviously I have lost 164 pounds so far (and still losing in Phase 2). My cholesterol was approaching 400 when I started and is now around 150. I can shop at regular stores. I can climb mountains with friends. I can fit in the roller coasters at amusement parks. I can squeeze in the middle of the backseat comfortably on long trips. I am training to run a half-marathon this Fall. My mother has stopped worrying about her son dying at an early age from heart disease and is now looking towards me for advice to improve her own health. My roommate and his family have lost around 500 pounds combined since seeing my success on this diet.

Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for this program and what a deep impact it has had on my life. Thank you HMR!!!