Neris thomas biography sampler

For 20 years, Neris Thomas treated dieting like her second job, but it wasn't until she teamed up with overweight acquaintance India Knight that the pounds came off for good.

What clicked? The buddy system.

Neris thomas biography sampler images

Now the pair is down a collective 140 pounds and Neris and India's Idiot-Proof Diet, their hybrid handbook of low-carb program and "we've so been there" pep talk - already a best seller in Britain - has landed stateside. Here, they sound off on sugar, spandex, and the way women sabotage each other.

Marie Claire: What was the catalyst here?

Neris Thomas: I was thinking, Why is it that I'm a successful woman who's got a fantastic film company, a daughter, a marriage - everything's great - and yet I can't control myself enough to fix this thing that's made me unhappy for 20 years?

And you know, there was a lot of chafing going on, a lot of rubbing of legs.

India Knight: For me, part of it was turning 40 and deciding, I'm not going to walk around for 30 m