Damon Sasso

There was a lot of trial and error. I tried exercising and even hired a personal trainer. I actually enjoyed cardio exercise mainly the elliptical machines. I also purchased a bicycle and started riding my bike to and from work. I had forgotten just how much I loved cycling and how good I would feel after doing it. I trimmed back on my quantities of fast food but I was still eating out daily. I found that switching to diet sodas helped maintain a lower weight. Although feeling much better and healthier, I had only lost about 30 pounds. I wasn't 314 any more, but I couldn't get under 280.

In October of 2008, I got more serious about my eating habits. With advice from a how-to-get-skinny book, I built an eating plan for each week. It consisted of smaller meals throughout the day, all of which had to be prepared the night before. It was tedious. And worse, I only lost about 5 pounds before my results stopped after a month on the plan.

Frustrated I took my meal plan to my doctor to see if I had a medical condition that was hindering my weight loss. Explaining some of the flaws in my plan, he offered to help craft a new program. He had also introduced me to an optimal health program that stated I could lose up to 20 pounds in the first month and up to 2-5 pounds a week thereafter. I liked the fact that it incorporated the same small meal philosophy that my menu had, it was affordable, and the meals were easy to prepare. My doctor also mentioned that he would be my health coach to help me achieve my goals. I liked being accountable to someone other than myself. I signed up immediately. After work I spent the entire night researching the program to see what I got myself into. What I found was nothing short of amazing.