I was walking to my train during rush hour, thinking I was looking pretty darn good with this fabulous new purse that I had finally splurged on. Two people walked by and I overheard one of them say "see - that's the purse I was telling you about - the one that the big girl over there is carrying". In college I had been a rower and captain of the varisty fencing team. I've always been a large-framed and strong person but it was once I got to graduate school to start work on my PhD that my lifestyle became a matter of sitting 14 hours a day and stuffing myself with quick foods like Cheetos, candy bars, etc. I bought Atkins' book on the way home that day and the rest is history