Gordon Douglas was what doctors qualify as "morbidly obese." At more that 350 pounds, he was also diabetic and very depressed. "When I started I couldn't climb a flight of steps, or make it from the front door to the car without being out of breath, I love to walk the dogs but I couldn't do it," he said.

Determined to improve his health, Douglas (pictured left, before diet) went to see Mount Sinai cardiologist Arthur Agatston, who says Douglas "does represent what we're seeing more and more in this culture. There's an epidemic of diabetes, and it's increased seven-fold since the 1960's".

Dr. Agatston says processed carbohydrates like white rice and pasta, plus sugars and starches that raise glucose levels are to blame.

Douglas started the South Beach diet, changed his eating habits, and then began to see the weight come off and his blood pressure go down. "After four or five weeks, I wasn't taking any medication for anything anymore, not for high blood pressure, not for diabetes, not for anything."

One year after starting the diet Douglas (pictured right, after starting diet) has lost an amazing ninety pounds. His cholesterol levels have dropped dramatically, and his diabetes has been eliminated.

Douglas says he feels like a new person with a lot more energy, and if he can lose this much weight anybody can. "There is nobody in life who is worse disciplined than I am in any area and if I can do this anybody could do it."