A visit to her doctor's office during the summer of 2006 was a wake-up call for Kathy M. Already on five medications, two of.which were prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, Kathy's test.results revealed her fasting blood sugar was still too high..When her doctor recommended insulin injections, this hospital quality-control coordinator knew she had lost control: Medical conditions, prescription drugs, and fatigue ruled her life. If she wanted to be there for her 5-year-old daughter, Kathy knew she needed to make a change. Her physician suggested the South Beach Diet and, after doing some research on her own, Kathy felt it would work because it was more than a diet, it was a lifestyle. She began her journey that fall. After losing 125 pounds, Kathy is well on her way to reaching her goal weight Terrific Turnaround: "Shortly into my journey, my doctor took me off both of my diabetes medications, my medication for high cholesterol, and my medication for high blood pressure. I had beaten type 2 diabetes!" Biggest Surprise: "I love cooking the South Beach Diet-friendly recipes. There are many days that I can't wait to eat; not because I am hungry but because everything tastes so good!" Favorite Snack: "I love plain nonfat yogurt with cinnamon, Splenda®, and Cool Whip!" Favorite Exercise: "Six days a week, I do what I call the 70-minute split: 35 minutes on the elliptical machine and 35 minutes using weight machines for strength-training and toning." Best Compliment: "One day we were getting ready to leave the house, and my daughter looked at me with a serious face and said, 'Mommy, you look beautiful.' It just melted my heart!" Most Effective Strategy: "At first, 157 pounds to lose was an overwhelming amount to consider. It really helped to break it down to keep me focused and not get discouraged."