If you saw Shannon Hammer on the streets of Manhattan Beach, you might believe she's just another local fitness buff. But Hammer's toned muscles are particularly hard earned, and she's written a book, The Positive Portions Food & Fitness Journal, to help others do the same. Hammer will sign the book at Barnes & Noble on Saturday.

Manhattan Beach Patch: What in your personal journey led you to write this book?

Shannon Hammer: I had been overweight all of my life. In 2003, I knew I needed to lose weight for good, so I decided to take a different approach to weight loss. Instead of focusing on the numbers on the scale, I focused on a holistic approach, getting healthy emotionally, physically and spiritually. It took me three years, but I lost 100 pounds. When I started, I went looking for a book that would be both inspirational and serve as a food journal. I couldn't find one, so I decided I was going to write it. I got a publishing deal, and the rest is history!

Patch: Which was harder: losing the weight or writing the book?

Hammer: They are equal. The thing with losing weight and writing is they both take perseverance and discipline. You have to stick to it when it's not fun and when it's hard. You have to keep your eye on the prize rather than get frustrated by the day to day distractions. And you have to stick to a plan consistently.

Patch: Who is your book designed for?

Hammer: Absolutely anybody that is interested in maximizing their health. It can be used by anybody following any food or exercise plan, both men and women. It  is a book that can be personalized for any journey, athletes, runners, people who don't need to lose weight but just want to get healthy. It's a tool for anybody that has optimal health as their goal.

Patch: What has surprised you most about the lifestyle of a suddenly skinny person?

Hammer: Probably the assumptions people make when I tell them I used to weigh 100 pounds more. They look shocked. They say, "I always would have thought you were a thin person." Sometimes I look in the mirror, and it's hard to believe that person is me. And also … getting hit on by men! (Laugh) I didn't have to deal with that at 230 pounds! 

Patch: What has been the most exciting part of your journey?

Hammer: Oh gosh, so much has happened! To point to one thing is difficult. I would say one of the recent blessings, for lack of a better word, was the letters I received from people after I appeared on Fox News. People wrote me, saying they felt trapped and as if they had no hope. They told me they were inspired by my story.

But my entire life transformed. I went back to school, graduated college with a 4.0, met and married the man of my dreams. Because I got well on all levels and didn't just get skinny, it brought me a whole new life. Getting a body was just a part of the package.

Patch: Do you think of yourself as an inspiration?

Hammer: Not really. It's just me being me. It's a hard role to play, but I like being in a position to give people hope. I'm just a regular person. I suffered so much, and if I got free, you can too. I'm just like you. I'm still among the pack, I just made it to the other side. I'm no celebrity or inspiration ... I'm just further down the path.

Patch: Has your dramatic weight loss changed your relationships with others in your life?

Hammer: Through the journey, I learned discipline and self restraint. I learned delayed gratification. All those things helped make me a more confident person. I really feel comfortable with how I look, and that is truly a miracle. That confidence helps me to be more authentic and present in relationships. 

Patch: Through the process, were their elements that were harder to deal with than just the diet or exercise plan?

Hammer: Totally. That's really important. Most of the journey of losing weight and keeping it off happens from the neck up! Losing the pounds on the body is minor compared to the adjustments I made in my life. I had to learn to deal with stress, with unwanted attention, to say no when it was unhealthy for me, to manage my time and my schedule, and completely revolutionize my approach to life. And most importantly, I had to start turning to people instead of food. I had this great love affair with food. Since overeating was no longer an option, I had to get a support network.

Patch: What support networks do you recommend?

Hammer: There are so many support groups: church groups, 12-step groups, online resources, commercial diets like Weight Watchers. So just find the support network that is right for you and can give you what you need. There is a wide range of needs. Some people will need therapy to stop overeating. Just get what you personally need.

Patch: As Jan. 1 comes near, what tips can you offer for those making a fitness resolution?

Hammer: What I would do is change the word resolution and change it to "commitment." Resolution, to me, it implies a short-term goal. When we make a commitment, we are trading in short-term for long-term thinking. If we're very overweight or not used to working out, we're not going to get fit in a month. Many people expect this then get discouraged. I would encourage them to do what I did, take a long-term approach—with no end date—and change your life one day at a time.

Shannon Hammer will be at Barnes & Noble on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Copies of her book will be available. If you would like to purchase the book directly, visit the website. Hammer is available for speaking engagements and workshops, and she answers every e-mail she receives through the site.