Always crave carbs?

Discover how skipping just two ingredients is helping women like Deb Babcock end food addiction and lose up to 30 lbs in 14 days

- Allison Nemetz

"I can't take it anymore," whispered Deb Babcock, bolting up in bed. She'd been gaining weight for months since knee-replacement surgery, and the extra pressure was making both of her legs throb. Gingerly shuffling to the bathroom, she found leftover pain pills prescribed for immediately after the procedure. Deb, a retired physician assistant, knew it wasn't safe to start taking narcotics to get through ordinary nights. "But it's the worst pain I've ever been in," she muttered, downing a dose. Later, even as relief came, tears streamed down her face. Her heart told her: Bad things are coming if I don't get my weight under control.

Deb found herself searching for help on the internet, but she wasn't looking for a new diet. She'd tried dozens of them, and most worked until her yearning for carbs like chips, pizza and tacos became too great. I never feel full. It's never enough. How do I overcome that? she wondered.

Eventually, she found LifeUnbinged.com, a website that described her exact situation. It suggested she try turning her attention inward. This says I need to stop beating myself up over old mistakes and focus on why I'm making changes now...a 'why' I feel deeply and can use to keep myself on track. Deb's mind instantly went to her sore joints, then to her heartburn, prediabetes, fatigue, depression. She was in constant discomfort. "I want my pain to stop," she said. Tears again filled her eyes. That's my why. If she focused on it, maybe things could be different...

Trying one more time

Before Deb's surgery, doctors had promised an easier recovery if she lost some weight. So the Florida grandmother bounced between diets, trying to find one that felt right. After several months, she saw an ad for a plan called Bright Line Eating. "We use scientific research to heal the addictive centers of the brain and eliminate cravings for good," it said. Deb was intrigued enough to try it.