Fit Fare

Melissa Garner lost 75 pounds on a radical diet plan. On Smart for Life, you eat six “cookies” each day and then a sensible dinner (their words). The cookies come in varieties like chocolate chip and oatmeal raisin and are packed with healthy ingredients like flax seed.

Melissa weighed 200 pounds and was a size 14 when she began in October 2006 (see right, below). Now 125 pounds, she is a size 4 (see left). She credits the Smart for Life program with giving her a new, healthier perspective on food.

I recently had the opportunity to ask Melissa a few questions about her experience.

What types of plans or diets did you use before Smart for Life? What were the results?

The most recent before discovering the Smart for Life plan was a personal trainer/dietitian. I gained muscle and did not lose weight to change my figure, so I was still in a size 14, it was very disappointing.

How did you learn about Smart for Life and what made you choose it?

My gynecologist very highly recommended the diet.

Was it hard to transition from eating regular meals to eating six cookies a day and dinner?

Not really, since the weight was coming off so fast! That kept me motivated and determined to succeed once and for all.

What were the first few days on the diet like?

I have been thinking about this question since last night and I really can’t remember! I guess it must not have been too bad, because I don’t remember being incredibly hungry. I do remember that I was so determined because I wanted it to work so badly!

What are your favorite flavors of the cookies?

I really like all of the cookies, with Oatmeal Raisin and Pina Colada being my favorite and Garden Pizza my least favorite. I depend on the variety to keep my choices open.

Once you lost the weight, what then? Are you still eating the cookies, or have you transitioned back to eating meals?

Throughout the holidays and a rough patch in life, I have gained back about 15 pounds, so I am back on the cookies. Now, once I am back down the 15 I will watch more closely and incorporate the cookies more into my diet. Basically, I’m convinced that Smart for Life is not just a quick diet but more of a lifestyle plan that supports you whenever you need that safety net.

What’s been the greatest part of Smart for Life for you?

The support from the Smart for Life staff, feeling better about myself, and being able to buy a size 4! How has losing weight changed your life? I just feel so much better about myself.