"Malissa Morrell is a nationally board-certified art therapist (ATR-BC) and a licensed psychotherapist (LMFT) in Salt Lake City, Utah."

Her specialized training allows her to work with individuals of all ages, families, and couples. Young children, those who have experienced trauma, and adults who have plateaued in regular talk therapy may benefit from the emotional and neurological benefits of art therapy.

About Me

I’m 34 and have been blogging in some fashion since my early 20′s. I currently work as a psychotherapist on the west coast of the US. I am strong like an ox and tall like an Amazon. I read tabloid headlines obsessively but I pretend that I don’t.

As you can see, this blog dates back many years and chronicles my lifelong difficulties with weight, fitness, binge eating disorder, and body image. During the vast majority of that time, I weighed over 300 pounds. Sometimes well over 300 pounds. Thanks to my own personal therapy, learning new alternatives for coping, the love and encouragement of my great support system, and brutal, raw determination, I have largely overcome my issues with food.

As of December, 2009, I am following the plan developed and published by Dr. Rob Huizenga, the chief medical consultant for The Biggest Loser. Because there don’t seem to be any other bloggers stupid crazy silly enough to attempt this undertaking, I figured I’d better blog about it and blaze the trail.

Dr. Huizenga’s Wow!Rx

In December, 2009 I decided to begin following the at-home program developed by Dr. Rob Huizenga, chief medical consultant for The Biggest Loser.

The program is outlined in his book, Where did all the fat go? The WOW! Prescription to reach your ideal weight — and stay there.

This is the program that at-home and voted-off contestants follow to lose weight and become physically fit. With the exception of a few blips here and there — comments on blogs, ratings on Amazon.com, etc. — it’s very difficult to find proof on the web of non-TV-contestants who have attempted this program.

That’s why I am documenting this journey blow-by-blow. If anyone else ever gets stupid enough to try it, I want them to know how I made the program work for me — without the promise of TV fame and fortune.

Stats

Last updated: 2/7/2010

  • My age: 34
  • My height: 6’1″ (73 inches, 185.4 cm)
  • My gender: Female

Percentage of excess pounds gone:

Percentage of total body weight gone:

  • 2007 (High) Weight: ~360 pounds
  • November 27, 2009: 332.2
  • December 26, 2009: 324.2
  • February 7, 2008: 302.6
Monthly measurements 12/26/09 2/7/10
Upper Arm 19 ¼” 17 ¼”
Waist 46″ 43″
Hips 59 ½” 56 ¼”
Thigh 33″ 29 ¾”
Calf 22 ½” 21 ½”

Multi Media Bar

Previous
Time machine

I am toying with the idea of writing again, and setting each post to publish a few weeks...

What happened

...

Heh

I just popped the button off my pants while watching an episode of “Biggest...

Sweet torture

Modern update on a very famous child psychology test from the 60′s. There are...

Oh, bullets

I forgot all about bullets! I love bullets so much. Welcome to my bullets. I gained 25...

Little check-in

I’ve been having website issues, and am studying for my state license exams, but...

Baby steps reminder

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy Did you see...

Bullets it is

I’m remembering how much forethought, planning, and preparation goes into eating...

Battles, not wars

(Warning: food p0rn ahead.) A list of things I thought about eating last night, but...

Hanging in

More bullet points: Going home triggers my binges. This is a simple, somewhat-obvious...