Looking back 63 years (!!), some years I was a normal weight, some a heavier weight. Food has been an issue since I was a toddler. I think my natural off switch was broken. I was in counseling for an eating disorder for many years. I even attended the Duke University intensive program. Unlike most folks, I didn't try a lot of diets because I knew I was using food as a coping mechanism, like some use alcohol, cigarettes and drugs. Food per se wasn't the problem. I could chow down on salads as well as ice cream cake!December, 2012 my doctor told me I was pre-diabetic and needed to lose weight. "Oh, tell me something I don't know." I felt awful but I couldn't stop eating junk. I was a junk food addicted vegetarian. Frankly with all the theories on nutrition, I had just given up, thrown in the towel, that is until this wake up call. In 2000 I had had a MI, now diabetes? Are you kidding me?Later that month, I decided to reread Dr. Fuhrman's books, Eat to Live and Eat for Health. This time I was ready to hear what he had to say and slowly but surely worked my way towards super nutritious food. I lost weight (55 lbs to date with about 35 to go, 3 sizes), dropped many medications, looked and felt terrific. My pre diabetes disappeared in a month! I am off cholesterol medication. Arthritis in my feet and throughout much of my body no longer bothers me. And my bra no longer looks like twin hats.During 2013, I read and watched everything I could on this form of healthy eating. I immersed myself. Dr. Fuhrman says there is no ambiguity any more about what is healthy and what isn't. I am sticking with him, as food industries, especially the meat and dairy industry, do not have my best interests at heart! He does.In 2014, I continued my life program but cravings for sugar continued. During all this time, I 'should' have been able to detox off sugar/fat fake foods, but I could not. So many of us 'nutritarians' on Dr. Fuhrman's forum where able to eat a perfectly healthy menu without cravings. I was not one of them. The harder I tried, the harder things became. Still I lost weight.I even had to stop shopping at my favorite local, organic farm because I couldn't get past the bakery table. I could name every food store I frequent and what I craved to eat. The food never made it home. I ate it fast and furious in the car.Then an online friend mentioned Dilia Suriel's book. I popped over to Amazon and read all the amazing reviews. I bet I have 50 health books on my Ipad; I was mighty reticent to buy yet another one, but I did and it has been my life saver.This book isn't about food. It's about a box of tools that has helped me take advantage of neuroplasticity and begin rewiring my brain after decades of compulsive eating. (See Dr. Doige's book for more on neuroplasticity is this is a new concept for you.)I hated mindful eating on the first day. When I completed the questionnaire in the APP that Suriel created, I noted 3% pleasure. And I was being generous! No dopamine rush by gulping my meal? My inner child was pissed! Second meal, I reluctantly dragged out a place mat and set myself up on the deck so I could commune with nature. Pleasure went to 6% . I was full before the food was finished! What? That never happened before! Ever! (Miracle)Before and after meals, I got busy getting my dopamine in healthy ways with hikes, playing with my dog, etc. All the books, all the programs, years of counseling with an eating disorder specialist and it was Suriel who had found the key to my long term success of weight loss, health and longevity.Another piece of the program: "The foundation of rewiring is Mindfulness," she wrote. I pulled out some old tapes and CDs and began enjoying guided meditation, calming music and finally pure quiet mindfulness sessions. Breathe in, breathe out.Finally, I had a huge breakthrough with the sugar-fat monster. On Suriel's recommendation, I revisited the farm and dreaded bakery table. I spent a lot of time contemplating the goods for my first Forbidden Fruit Exercise. I read all the labels, compared prices, tried to smell without being too weird. After veg shopping I purchased one cookie and because I was not hungry, I didn't eat it in the parking lost. (Miracle) When I was hungry, I ate tiny pieces so mindfully I could taste every nuance of sugar and fat. It was good, but not all that amazing. I think a bowl of sugar soaked in water would have tasted about the same. I didn't need to repeat the exercise. I may eat another one. I may not. But that frickin' cookie doesn't own my brain anymore! Something just clickedSo to say I am a fan of the Thin Woman's Brain would be a massive understatement. This book, the APP and Suriel's help at online meetings have provided critical pieces to my becoming a 'normal' person who doesn't live with Toxic Brain Hunger all day. What a relief! I fully expect that by marrying the nutritional information I have learned from Dr. Fuhrman and the life style tools I have gained from Suriel, I will attain a healthy weight this year.If this resonates, I would encourage you to read the book and treat yourself to the 21 day course ($18.75, this is an intro price while the kinks are worked out). It has been life changing for me and I hope for you.