I come from a very unique family background. I am one of 21 siblings, 19 of whom are adopted. Growing up in such a large family, you would think that food might be hard to come by—but the complete opposite was true. My mother (who is an amazing cook) always made enough food to feed an army—enough for second or third servings. And since I was in such a large household, there was always a ton of snacks around and I could eat basically whenever I wanted. Most of my siblings don't have any weight problems and can eat ever they want. So, I adopted their eating habits as well. I ate way too much my entire life. I also was taught to finish ever you put on your plate. My problem was that I always put too much on my plate in the first place.

I've also been a vegetarian since I was 12. Over the years, so many people have said to me, "I thought vegetarians were supposed to be skinny" after discovering that I don't eat meat. Well, you don't have to eat meat to eat junk food, cheese, pasta and cookies! In fact, I think being a vegetarian actually made it harder for me to lose weight, since most diet plans are based around meat options, like chicken.

It's no surprise, then, that I've always struggled with my weight. I remember thinking I looked fat in a picture of me in a bathing suit when I was six. In sixth grade, I remember being called "chubby" and feeling so horrible. Then, when I was in high school, I went to a summer camp and a boy told me I would be so pretty if I lost weight. I've never really thought of myself as fat, but I have always felt overweight. I had never been at a weight that allowed me to feel confident and happy with my body.

Hi. My name is Chelsea ("casheyes" on the bulletin boards). I am a 26-year-old online producer/editor for a major cable corporation with my own relationships column. I am married to my high-school sweetheart Lashon and I have an 18-month-old daughter, Chloe. This is my weight-loss story.

My weight has held me back in so many ways. Physically, it has caused me constant pain in my back and my knees. And I've never been comfortable in a bathing suit; I always wore a t-shirt over it in public—even in the pool in my own backyard! I always felt like the fat girl among most of my friends and family, too. I would always be the one taking pictures and if I somehow ended up in them, I would hide them or cut myself out. That's sad, because I was cutting myself out of my family history and memories.

Also, since I have a relationships column, I felt really uncomfortable being overweight. I felt like people were wondering how I could be giving advice on keeping a man when I looked the way I did.

When I was pregnant with my daughter, my weight got worse—I ballooned up to 235 pounds. After a few months, I got down to 180 pounds—but I was stuck at 180 for almost a year. I didn't really go out with my friends after I had my daughter for quite some time (they made fun of me because I was still wearing my maternity clothes most of the time). I looked and felt horrible. I never tried to wear anything "cute." My weight was out of control and I was unhappy, but I didn't really know to do about it. I tried to diet on my own and worked out with a trainer two times a week. Food was my downfall, though. Even though I was exercising an OK amount, I wasn't really in control of my eating.

"I was impressed—real people and real results!"

My turning point was when I saw the pictures of me from my daughter's birthday party; I just couldn't believe how big I was! That's when I decided that I absolutely had to do something or I was just going to be fat for the rest of my life. I also realized that it had been a full year since I had given birth to my daughter and the excuse "I just had a baby" was wearing very thin. One night, I was watching TV and I saw a commercial for NutriSystem. I thought it looked pretty interesting, so I went to the website and checked it out. The food looked good (I mean, who can resist pizza and pasta and chocolate?) and I loved the fact that it would require little prep time or cooking since I have a very busy life and have never enjoyed cooking. After reading through the information and the testimonials, I was impressed—real people and real results.

But when I saw that there was a vegetarian plan, I was hooked. It gave me a feasible way to eat and learn portion control without having to figure out to substitute for meat. I also like that protein is heavily factored into the plan, since that is a concern when you are a vegetarian. So I called that night and placed my order and I am so happy I did—I've lost 60 lbs.* on NutriSystem!

The NutriSystem program has been so easy for me to follow. I love the fact that you get to eat so many times during the day; I never feel hungry. I also love the taste of the food and the variety of food that's offered, so I never get bored with it. Before, I ate a lot of fast food or pre-packaged frozen meals. I love that I am finally learning a correct portion of food looks like and now know how to add fruit, veggies, protein and dairy to my diet.

Plus, the NutriSystem bulletin board (where I also run a daily vegetarian post) has been a lifesaver for me. I've met so many wonderful people and I've gotten tons of help there. I have been so inspired by many of the people on the boards; it's comforting knowing that there are so many other people out there who are trying to do the same thing I am.

My family has also been extremely supportive of my quest to shed pounds and become healthier. Some of my siblings that I hadn't seen in a while were shocked when I saw them over the summer. They just kept talking about how great I looked. My mother was so inspired by my success and my positive attitude about the program that she also decided to join—she's lost 12 pounds* already. She loves the program, the ease and convenience of the food, and the fact that we are getting healthy together. Every day we send each other an email update of how we did the day before, we ate, and how we exercised.

However, Lashon (who is a stick) has been a little uncomfortable with all of the attention I have been receiving since I have lost the weight. But I say—good! Keep him on his toes and his eyes on me!

The most challenging part of my weight loss journey, though, has been adjusting not only my size, but my self-image. It's been difficult to change my perception of myself since I have been overweight for so long, so it's hard for me to believe other people when they tell me I look great. I have really been working on that, though, and feel that I am overcoming it. So it's very rewarding that I've not only changed my physical appearance, I've made an emotional transformation as well. I feel like a butterfly that has finally come out of the cocoon after stagnating for so long. I've gained so much confidence at work and in my social and personal lives. I feel so much better physically; I no longer have pain in my knees or my back, so I'm able to be a better, more active mother. I have so much more energy now.

I also have a much more positive view about my future, both personally and professionally. Starting NutriSystem actually inspired me to get braces; I decided that I wanted a whole new me, so I got them on a month after starting NutriSystem. Now that I've managed to lose all this weight, I feel like there's nothing I can't do if I really set my mind to it and make the commitment—including my dream of becoming a newscaster.

"NutriSystem has prepared me for a lifetime of healthy eating."

The NutriSystem program has definitely prepared me for a lifetime of healthy eating. I'm now equipped with the knowledge and the tools to stay healthy forever. NutriSystem has taught me portion control and how to eat a well-balanced diet. I have learned that I can drink 8 glasses (or more!) of water a day, and I'm no longer afraid that I'll lose control and gain the weight back.

If you are considering NutriSystem, I'd encourage you to go for it!

NutriSystem is the best thing I have ever done for myself! It is an investment in me and my future and the lessons I have learned are priceless. Believe me, if I can do it, you can do it.

—Chelsea

*Results not typical