Danine Pezzullo

Dear Tosca,

Growing up I was always a skinny kid. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I continued this throughout my teenage years and early twenties – and most of it was junk. I ate hamburgers, French fries, pizza, tacos, cookies and chocolate everyday and drank soda all day long. I was barely eating fruits and vegetables. But somehow I managed to stay thin. I guess I was considered skinny fat – a thin person with no muscle tone and a high body-fat percentage. With high cholesterol and a strong family history of heart disease, I was definitely headed in the wrong direction. I pictured myself dying at a young age from a heart attack and yet I did not change my poor eating habits.

Then I entered my thirties and had two children. I was no longer able to keep the weight off. I found myself not being able to fit into any of my clothes and dreading the summer because it required wearing shorts and a bathing suit. I knew I was unhealthy. I hated how I looked and felt. I began subscribing to Oxygen magazine for inspiration. I loved how healthy and muscular the women on the cover of the magazine looked. I looked forward to getting my new copy each month. I was working out on a regular basis at this point. However, I was working out longer instead of smarter and my eating habits remained poor.

Then I saw an ad in Oxygen for an Eat Clean Diet book and I ordered it as soon as it was available. I read it from cover to cover. It was very informative and it just made sense to me. It took me a while to take the plunge and change my eating habits for good but once I did, I never looked back. The weight began to come off and I felt better than I had in years. The Eat-Clean Diet has changed my life completely.

Along with Eating Clean, I changed my workouts. My great friend and workout partner, Liza, has shown me how to work out better and smarter. With her guidance and proper weight training, she has helped me to completely transformed my body.

Any time a friend or family member asks me what I eat, I refer them to your book. It's not some temporary diet. There is no quick fix. The Eat-Clean Diet is a lifestyle. I am healthier than I have ever been and I am in the best shape of my life – thanks to you, your books, Oxygen magazine, my always-supportive husband and my friend Liza!

Danine Pezzullo
Marlboro, NJ