Never say diet

Dieting is a dirty word.

That's the first thing Chantel Hobbs wants you to know, as she makes clear in her first book, "Never Say Diet."

"I don't write diet books," Hobbs said. "I honestly would rather hang out with my kids and play soccer."

But Hobbs said she feels "called to encourage people that they can achieve monumental things in their life."

With that in mind, she has written another book called "The One Day Way" that gives a detailed look at her philosophy behind weight loss and healthy living.

Hobbs said the inspiration for her philosophy comes from personal communion with God. But she has other credentials. More than seven years ago, she transformed herself from 350 pounds to 150 pounds, and her successful 200-pound weight loss story has been featured in People magazine, on "Oprah," "The Today Show," "Good Morning America," and countless other media outlets.

The wife and mother of four is also a motivational speaker, life coach, personal trainer and marathon runner.

The day she decided being overweight was "absolutely not an option," Hobbs' life changed in every respect.

"There is a point of no return. There is no going back," Hobbs said.

Just as some of the most successful married couples say that divorce was never an option, people should approach weight loss with strong conviction to achieve permanent results.

"It's a pretty powerful way of looking at it," she said. "But it doesn't mean you're never going to have a bad day."

Hence the name of Hobbs' book. It highlights her belief that weight loss should be conquered one day at a time, including days of over-indulging.

Most importantly, people must avoid the "all or nothing" attitude, Hobbs says in her book.

Once someone eats a massive slice of cake or skips out on the gym, they need to immediately get back on track with a permanent mentality-switch about their relationship with food.

Hobbs said people should look at food as fuel, taking control of what enters their bodies rather than letting food control them.

To do so, Hobbs recommends a weekly one-meal fast along with a weekly indulgence.

Eating a tempting ice cream cone or buffalo wings once a week keeps people from completely losing control.