I get teared up whenever I think about how grateful I am that I learned this little secret a few time ago.

​I call it a secret because if everyone knew we didn’t have to work out an hour a day, or fast, or eat nothing but kale chips. I believe the whole fitness and diet community would be out of business real fast.

​Seriously, I am still AMAZED when I look in the mirror. People I haven’t seen in a while do a double-take when they see me.

​I have so much more confidence today, and I enjoy shopping for clothes (instead of feeling dread). My husband and I have never been closer!

​My annual trip to the doctor confirmed what I suspected. My heart was healthier than ever, and my blood sugar levels, which had been steadily creeping upward, were at healthy levels.

​What is shocking is that I didn’t have to diet, starve, or even cut out my favorite foods.

​In fact, I learned that had nothing to do with why I had gained and kept the weight on in the first place.

​It had nothing to do with how much rigorous exercising I did… or how much sugar I ate.

​No wonder I struggled for years to get my weight under control! The fitness industry was feeding me this line to keep me struggling in an endless cycle.