When I look back I always remember being a size 11/12. In fact I remember a particular pair of pants in high school that were size 8. I knew that they must have either been cut big or mislabeled in order for a size 8 to fit me, but I always felt slimmer when I wore them. I am tall enough to look good in a size 12, so while there were moments that I wished I were more svelte, I was content as long as I didn't put on any more weight.

I started the BTD, not as a weight loss diet, but because of GERD. I was surprised when I lost 5-6 pounds in the first couple of months I was on the diet. I was delighted several moths later when I realized I had dropped from a size 12 to a size 10, especially since I wasn't watching portion sizes very carefully. My weight stabilized at 10 - 12 pounds less than I was before the BTD. However because I continue to replace fat with muscle, the shorts I bought last summer were size 8.

Before school started I bought a black skirt. The 8 was too big, so I bought a 6. I wore it to school for the first time last week, and I couldn't keep the shirt tail tucked in. This morning I altered it, taking an inch out of the waist.

OK, I know that like those high school size 8 pants, this size 6 skirt must either be cut big or mislabeled. But still - imagine me, eating until I'm full 4 times a day; taking in a size 6. Thank you BTD.