Perhaps my title is a bit overdramatic. I was not severely obese when I walked into a Jenny Craig center last year. In fact, I needed to lose about 35-40 pounds. This might not seem life threatening and, honestly, at that moment in time, my weight was not killing me. But it was waiting to.

It's not something that I like to admit, but there is a history of obesity in my family. My mother has struggled with her weight for years. She has successfully lost over 100 pounds twice and is on her way to doing it again. Did you catch that? She lost 100 pounds and put it back on several times. Before she reached sixty, she had a blockage in her artery that was miraculously caught before she had a full heart attack. This past year, she had to have her knee replaced. I lost a dear aunt to uterine cancer; one of the main contributing factors to the onset of the cancer seemed to be her weight.

I was 35 and overweight. I had convinced myself that I still was average size, but I was just delusional. I had a gym membership that I barely used and even my attempts at eating healthy were misguided. I knew that I needed something more, so I turned to Jenny Craig.

The program offered just what I needed: structure, accountability, and support. It was also simple. I was able to select from a menu of breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and desserts. The only outside food I needed to get was fruits, vegetables, and milk. It was a well-structured program and that is what I needed. I was also held accountable each week because I had to go into the center and step on the scale. Whether or not I had stayed on the program was evident in the numbers. I also had the added support of weekly one-on-one counseling sessions. We discussed pitfalls and future goals. As I progressed through the program, non-Jenny Craig food was added back into my life. By using this approach, I was able to pay more attention to portion sizes and true hunger cues. I began to make smart choices with my food selection, but the program also let me eat desserts. It was all about moderation.

In addition to modifying my food intake, the Jenny Craig program encouraged me to slowly bring exercise back into my life. I started by walking during my lunch hour and then eventually got back into a routine of going to the gym, which was good considering I was still paying for the membership. After six months I lost about 40 pounds. Six months later, I have kept the weight off.

Don't get me wrong, this was something I had to dedicate myself to and there are still times that I need to look at an old picture of myself to remind me to stay on track. It wasn't really a diet, as much as it was a lifestyle change, but I truly believe it saved my life. My weight had the potential to lead to more health problems, but even beyond that it had taken away my energy and my confidence.

I am aware that Jenny Craig isn't the right weight loss program for everyone. However, there are several healthy ways to get and stay healthy. Whether the right fit for you is Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers, The zone, South Beach Diet, or a total workout/diet program with a fitness trainer, find what you need and stick with it. I know that it would have been easier for me to have lost the weight 10 years ago, but I'm glad I didn't wait 10 more years to try to take it off then.

Today I am a 36-year-old woman who is healthier than she's been in years. I have energy and a newfound confidence. Jenny Craig gave me my life back. I hope if you are struggling with your weight that you find a way to get your life back too. Good luck!