Stacy Allendorf "I was a terrible parent," said Stacy Allendorf. "That's why I decided to begin baby steps to lose weight and get fit. How could I tell my son he needed to get moving and eat better if I wasn't willing to do the same? So I did."

Allendorf will appear on the 11 o'clock

segment of the Today Show's Joy Fit Club

October 20 because she has lost over 100 pounds. "I won't say exactly how much I have lost because that will steal the thunder," said Allendorf.

Allendorf began her baby steps in 2005 by exercising on a glider for 30 minutes three times a week and eating only 20 grams of fat a day. Eventually, she counted calories (1200- 1500 a day). She treated herself once a week with a small dish of ice cream.

People tell Allendorf she should be proud of herself, but she says she really just feels relieved. She has reversed her Type II diabetes, is not embarrassed to go out, and can fit comfortably in theater seats again. A lot of her aches and pains are gone.

Allendorf said she started this to improve her parent quotient, but now it has become about her and what she wants out of life. She still craves food and would eat a whole cake in one sitting if she didn't remind herself what she would have to do to work it off again.

Allendorf's advice to others who may be in the same boat is to take it slow and set short term attainable goals. When those goals are reached, set new short term attainable goals. Treat yourself once in a while and don't be hard on yourself. "Remember, it's not how you look but how you feel."