Dr. Woods has been on the front line in the fight against diabetes as a clinical nurse specialist for thousands of diabetic patients. It was this experience that triggered the realization that she herself was in danger of becoming a victim of the disease whose devastating effects include heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, and loss of limbs. She had to lose weight, particularly because she had a family history of diabetes. Her book is a vivid account of how, after her initial shock, she accomplished that goal. It's also a valuable source of information for understanding diabetes and preventing it. It's a must-read for people at risk. In a straightforward style, the author tells how she successfully fought obesity by means of fortitude and self-discipline. The reader will get valuable information on the following subjects and more: *How a diabetic diagnosis is made *How obesity and heredity impact the disease *How to use the body mass index (BMI) as a tool in weight loss and weight management *Why exercise is so important in prevention *How to put a diary to good use in self-training *How emotions can sabotage weight-loss efforts *How some medications cause weight gain