Zoomer Ann King: Mid-Life Second Career Dr. David J. Demko, Gerontologist and Editor AgeVenture News Service 08-10-2006 Ann King pursued a 15 year career as an electrical engineer after graduating from Oakland University with a degree in engineering. As luck would have it, the King family's employer transferred her from Michigan to Colorado. Now days, Ann King is full time stay-at-home mom with two small children. That's when her life headed in a whole new direction. The mid-life career shift began with a common problem, personal weight control. "I had reached a point where I was frustrated with all of those trendy diet plans," says King. She finally decided the best way to help herself and her family was to eat healthy and try to live a better lifestyle "without calorie counting or weight measurement involved." King's new journey began. She spent years searching for a healthy eating plan. The soon-to-be author came to the conclusion that attention to overall health, energy level, and attitude just might be a winning combination for weight control. "Once I shifted my mental attitude toward thinking healthy," she says, "things really began to change. I managed to lose weight just by adjusting my thinking away from losing weight to just plain eating healthy. King made simple changes: cookies, candy, and junk food snacks were banished snacks were limited to fresh fruits meals were eaten only at mealtime after mealtime the kitchen was "closed for the night" "These Hips Are Mine" is organized along physical, emotional, and lifestyle themes. First, the author offers insights into why so many weight control plans fail. Second, King emphasizes the importance of reading food labels. Understanding daily nutritional needs is addressed next. Then, the author concludes by dispelling common myths about the relationships between exercise and eating. King's philosophy is simple. Each day, decide where you want to go. Look in the mirror and say, "I'm worth it." Whenever you fall short of your dreams, pick yourself up, and keep moving forward. Love yourself. Discover and start using your personal talents and gifts. "These Hips Are Mine: a weight-loss companion guide" by Ann King, 167 pages, $21.95, Double Diamonds Publishing, Colorado Springs, 2005. Photo Credit: Double Diamond Books Inc. Read more about Baby Boomers making a difference in society.