Kim Bensen

Hi. I'm Kim. I live in southern Connecticut with my husband, Mark, and our four children, ranging in ages from twenty-four to nine. Although not always obese, I have battled a food addiction and its challenges since childhood.

In high school I fluctuated up and down 10-15 pounds in a yo-yo cycle that would haunt me for years. In college the spread of pounds grew to 30, then 40. I lost weight for my wedding in 1984, but soon gained it all back and more. Shortly after we were married my eating got out of control and for the first time in my life I was over 200 pounds. For the next 10 years I struggled up and down in the 200 pound range; for 10 years after that in the 300 pound range. I tried every low carb, high protein, low sugar, shake-supplemented, pill popping, bar munching, body piercing weight loss program in existence. Guess what? They ALL worked! But after a while I would feel deprived or discouraged and fall off the wagon, gaining back all that I had lost ... and then some.

Normal, every day activities became increasingly difficult. My cholesterol was astronomically high. Eventually even my walking was limited. When I sat down my stomach came to the end of my knees. I had no lap for my children and, if I continued along the same path, my children would have no mother at all. I was eating myself to death. Then, on October 1, 2001, I cried out to God in a desperate, broken prayer which would change my heart ... and my life. Three days later, with renewed determination and hope, I walked through the doors of Weight Watchers® (again) and weighed in at 347 pounds. I "knew" I would eventually quit and gain the weight back, but I was hoping to be able to breathe a little easier and - possibly - fit into plus size clothing stores again (which I had outgrown) before that happened. The idea that I might actually become thin never even entered my mind.

For two years I dragged my energetic young boys to meetings. For two years I planned meals, counted POINTS™, drank water, weighed, measured and kept track of my points on a "tracking bracelet" I had made. For two years I focused on changing recipes and behaviors from the inside out. For two years I watched the scales inch downward, and my once hopeless spirit began to soar. The more I put into it, the more fun it became! I was actually ENJOYING my new way of eating!

Week after week I stuck with it. There were challenges and plateaus. There was hope and victory. My journey was long, but it didn't matter any more. I loved what I was doing! I could live with this! For the first time in years I was under 300 lbs ... then 200 lbs ... then, on October 7, 2003, I reached my goal.

In the end I lost 212 pounds, lowered my cholesterol more than 200 points, lost an inch and a half in each wrist, and went down from a size 6x to a size 6. The weight loss has made countless practical differences in my life: I can walk through a restaurant without having to lay out a strategic map to see what tables I'll fit between; I can fit in any chair, buckle up in a car and get toys out from under the middle of my boys' beds. I can fit socks inside my shoes and can wear over-the-counter jewelry without extenders. I even joined Curves to help me with toning and maintenance.

My weight loss has not only changed my health and my looks, it's changed my profession. In 2005 I became a leader for Weight Watchers® and began cooking for my members - using them as guinea pigs for my new recipes. Today I write a weekly weight loss column called Here's The Skinny and I'm the Diet Editor for Better TV and Parents TV. In Finally Thin (December 30, 2008, Random House) I share my story and the tips and tools and recipes I used to finally get the weight off for good.

Three and a half years ago friends encouraged me to take to market one of my favorite products - a 110 calorie, high fiber, low-fat bagel -- in six yummy flavors. Today we ship Kim's Light Bagels to all 50 states and are in major grocery store shelves across New England, New York and New Jersey. Our goal? To get out of the shipping business and be in the supermarkets of EVERYONE who wants a tasty, portion controlled, New York style, kettle boiled bagel!

There's a lot about my story that isn't easy to share, but my goal is to encourage others. You need to feel the depths of my bondage to food, so that you can see how great the possibilities are of overcoming yours.

No matter where you are today, reaching YOUR weight loss goal is possible. No weight is too much. No time is too long. The only way you'll NEVER lose weight is if you stop trying.

Come on ... it's YOUR turn now! Learn more about Premium Membership at www.kimbensen.com/membership