Since her two-week experience she has lost 80 pounds.

Pam O'Brien, a single, 44-year-old, professional, had reached a low point in her life on January 1, 2005, when she climbed on a bathroom scale and realized she weighed 330 pounds.

"I have been on a diet since the age of six," she said. "I realized that my whole life consisted of work, sleep, eat, work. I wasn't living the life I wanted."

O'Brien had type 2, adult-onset diabetes, brought on by her weight and high blood pressure. "I thought if I continued this way, I would never lose any weight at all. At that moment, I was afraid I would die."

O'Brien had tried Weight Watchers six times. She had joined gyms, only to quit a week later. She joined a group based on Dr. Phil's Weight Loss Solutions that proved to be unhelpful. 

She also attended presentations about weight loss surgery, but after asking her physician about it, she decided there were too many negative aspects. Finally, she saw a small ad in her local newspaper about the St. Helena Center for Health's Transformations program. After researching it on the Internet, she decided to attend the 11-day, medically based program.

"The program included mind, body and spirit, which is what I was looking for," she said. And while the program seemed ideal, on the first day she received a shock.

"I realized they were talking about a plant-based diet. I thought: Oh my goodness, that means vegetarian, that means tofu." O'Brien managed to overcome her fear of a plant-based diet (not a vegetarian diet). She began a journey that changed her life.

Since her two-week experience (March 2005), where she was taught to shop, cook and exercise with her health in mind, she has lost 80 pounds. Her diabetes is now under control. She works out every day, and when she misses her daily exercise she craves it.

She also shed her unhealthy work environment. "I enjoyed my job. I managed the direct marketing and sales contact center for a global wine company, but I worked for two years in a dysfunctional corporate culture. I wanted to make my health my priority, so I resigned to pursue further education. I am refocusing my career."

She has also experienced a major change in her physical abilities. "I am becoming more mobile and more flexible." What once was a real push for her when she golfed, walking 18 holes and being breathless, has become a breeze.

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