My journey actually began when I was a child. I started gaining weight when I was around 10 years old. I wasn't obese but I was a little larger than most of my friends. Guess I didn't think much about weight loss until I was in my early twenties. I think I went thru a period of not thinking much of myself, low self-esteem.

My testimony would be that having the support of a great coach, believing in myself, God above guiding me through this fantastic journey, and having more FAITH in myself. The courage to truly BELILEVE in yourself was eye opening! Yes it is a lifestyle change, yes it is a tool but YES it is one that I am so thankful for.

In her own words: Emotional Eater...I have sat at my computer many times attempting to write out my Grace and Strength journey. However, I never could do it until today. Not sure exactly why, other than God was finally ready for me to write it out. Throughout my G & S journey, one word has reigned in my mind "Self-control". Webster dictionary defines self-control as the ability to control oneself, in particular one's emotions and desires ...

Hannah: Before my journey on Grace and Strength, I had a very unhealthy relationship with food. If I felt happy, I ate. If I felt sad, I ate. If I felt stressed, I ate. For every emotion under the sun I would turn to food as my comfort. Food was something in my life that I felt would never disappoint me. When I quit sports at the end of my junior year in high school to get a job I began to really struggle with my weight. I gained more than the "freshman 15".

Kim's Story: I came to Grace and Strength six weeks after having our fourth child. I knew that this was our last child and I did not want to carry around the extra weight from pregnancy for another year, two or more. My sister had recently joined the program and she was having a lot of success. I had always been active, but sticking to a healthy food plan was a struggle.