I've finally found my key to losing weight at age 68 1/2.

I've had a poor body image since about the age of 12. I've always compared myself to my older sister. Although, most people didn't see me as really 'fat', I thought I was because I weighed more than my sister who's an inch shorter and because of my large breasts (which I hate with a passion).

I weighed about 125-128 at 5'3" through college and until I had my son. I didn't lose the baby weight until I went through my divorce. Then continued to weigh from 128 to 133 for the next 30 years.

After menopause, I gradually ballooned up to 158. Then had Stage IV throat cancer in 2009 and went down to 125 through treatment.

Suddenly, when I could eat again, everything was stored as fat! Nutritionist said it was a normal reaction to the end of months of 'starvation' my body had gone through. I went back up to 138 and spent $1000 with Metabolic Research Center in 2013-14, attempting to lose a lousy 14 pounds and they failed.

Anyway, I found I was back at 148 at the end of this August. (Became addicted to Cadbury Mini Easter Eggs and all things sweet). I wanted to lose pounds before my trip to Paris next month.

Found a used book called The Virgin Diet by J.J. Virgin and decided to give it a try. I lost 13 pounds in the 21 day first cycle. The diet is a little bit Paleo, close to the Whole30 plan. You give up gluten, dairy, sugar, soy, eggs, corn, and peanuts. Whole30 you keep the eggs and give up beans. In Cycle 2 you begin to add back things, but leave sugar and preprocessed foods forever.

Anyway, it's been 6 weeks since I started and I'm down to my college age weight! I only wish I looked like I did back then. Things definitely happen to women as they age!

So, I think I will always start my day with a plant protein shake and watch my carbs like a hawk.

Yes, it's sugars and carbs that make me gain. But there might be a few forgiven in Paris.