He realizes now that the marital strain contributed to her overeating, and he sought professional counseling to deal with his own demons. He now takes more responsibility at home while Marilyn works out at the the gym five days a week, meets regularly with a local weight-loss support group and flies back and forth to "Dr. Phil" tapings in California at least once a month. He and the couple's 12-year-old daughter eat the same foods on Marilyn's diet right along with her. "I've never eaten so healthy in my entire life," he said.

When he encourages her weight-loss efforts, she encourages him to quit smoking.

Last year, "Dr. Phil" producers invited viewers to submit videotapes of why they wanted to lose weight. Marilyn Sorensen and a friend made a tape that was chosen from 7,000 submissions.

"I believe it stood out because we were able to make fools of ourselves," she said. At one point, they lifted up their shirts to reveal the words "Pick me" written on their tummies. Her friend backed out of the running, though, after hearing all the show's requirements, such as video surveillance.

Immediately after the show, Sorensen and the other challengers (three men and nine women) spent five days at a Beverly Hills mansion where they learned about healthful eating and exercising and got to know the other participants and had a one-on-one session with McGraw.

Sorensen said she'd tried dozens of different diets, but "they basically tell you what and when to eat. This program started off first by identifying what emotional triggers I had, and how to get those obstacles out of the way first."

On other diets, she easily lost 25 pounds, then panic set in and she'd give up. "Once I realized I was going to be successful, then I couldn't use my weight as an excuse for not getting the perfect job or having the perfect life."

It was still scary getting past that 25-pound mark, but with a more realistic outlook to life, she's excited to see more pounds come off on the way to her 165-pound goal weight. The food plan, as outlined in McGraw's book, "The Ultimate Weight Solution," is to eat "high-response cost, high-yield foods," which encourage slow eating, are satisfying and curb cravings.

Generally, this includes a protein serving at each of three meals, unlimited amounts of non-starchy vegetables, two servings of fresh fruit daily, two servings of low-fat dairy foods daily and limiting starchy carbohydrates and high-fat foods.

Before the show, Sorensen hadn't exercised in years. Now on Tuesdays and Thursdays, she puts in an intense hour of resistance training under the watchful eye of personal trainer Amy James. On Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, she hits the treadmill. On Saturdays, she takes a long walk as part of her training to walk in the Salt Lake City Marathon in April. She's now up to 12 miles.

Through the show's Web site, Drphil.com, a local group offers support to others who want to lose weight.

Sorensen said she gets noticed a lot at grocery stores, "but Utahns are really nice people, they've been gracious and supportive. So that hasn't bothered me at all."

During Sorensen's counseling session, McGraw told her she needed to learn to love herself, whether her husband does or not.

"I do feel I've accomplished that," she said. "I am more proud of myself now than I've ever been in my life. I've a sense of accomplishment just going to the gym every day, and walking away from a food item I know isn't going to benefit me. Things like that give me a sense of pride, where before I was hard pressed to find anything I took pride in."

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E-mail: vphillips@desnews.com