I was one of the 4.68% who answered "to avoid diabetes."

My mom called me in early Feb. to announce, with dread in her voice, "I've been diagnosed with Type II diabetes." We talked for two hours straight, putting together all the things I knew from books and had told her in bits and pieces over the past few years. This time, though, she absorbed the information like a sponge. As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

Watching her turn her diet around on a dime for two weeks inspired me. The weight was melting off, her lab results were getting better, and she was feeling more energetic and clear-headed. I decided that if my 67-year-old mother could turn her diet and life around on a dime, then, by golly, I could, too. As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher appears.

45 lbs later and tons of energy later, I'm sticking with this WOE. It's obviously good for me, and it gives me a valid reason to indulge my passion for food.