Call it divine intervention.

If Shayla Hudson-Williams, 27, had not danced her way onto 'Dance Your Ass Off' (DYAO) , this summer's popular reality show and weight loss competition on the Oxygen network, she was well on her way to living a life as a pre-diabetic and among the morbidly obese, she told Black Voices.

Of medium height, she weighed in at 206 pounds, frequently dining on hamburgers, pizza, Chinese food, soda, fruit juice, junk food and no fresh fruit or vegetables. But being on the show taught her to eat healthy foods and to exercise, she says.

"I used to be like the reason I'm shaking right now is because I have low sugar, let me drink a big soda,'' said the Tampa, Fla., native, who grew up in Southern California. "The doctors on the show told me if I had gone another three months like that I would have become a full-on diabetic,'' which causes a litany of health complications.

Now, Hudson-Williams, of Corona, Calif., one of the most popular contestants on the show, is awaiting the announcement of the winner, which comes on Monday. She may already know something because she was fairly tight lipped with this writer.

But the ebullient Hudson-Williams, who helps students get into college as an academic planner and tutor, was fairly open about other issues. Check it out:

Black Voices: How much weight have you lost?

Shayla Hudson-Williams: I've lost 50 pounds in 11 weeks. I weighed 156 pounds when I weighed myself this morning [Thursday, August 27th].

BV: Congratulations! You've worked hard. How do you feel?

SHW: I feel really good. It's been awhile since I've felt this great about myself physically. I make sure I count and measure everything. I've kept up with everything from the show. They gave us a pretty realistic calorie count that we can work within every single day. For me, it's 1,123 to 1,700 calories daily. I eat fruit, veggies, and turkey bacon or turkey sausage for breakfast and I drink a lot of water. I even put veggies in my egg whites. I match protein and carbs together for other meals.

BV: What led you to audition for the show?

SHW: My mom [Veronica] told me about audition for people who are overweight and want to dance. She gave me the info and I went on down there because I'm not a gym rat. I thought it was a great way to get on track. I needed the help getting my life on track and developing better eating habits. When I was younger, I was much more athletic. I used to play hockey, soccer and run track. But a lot of that changed as I got older.

BV: Dancing is a favorite pastime for you. You like the styles of Janet Jackson, Beyoncé, Swing and Salsa.Phew! That's a lot of dancing.

SHW: Oh yes, I love Janet Jackson. She is it for me. She is amazing. Her music defined a generation. I remember trying to do that flip from her Control video. I busted my butt. I also like Michael Jackson and the Jackson Five. Love them! I also love hip-hop. I think it gives me an edge over other contestants on the show because of the way my body moves. I've never been trained in it. It's a natural vibe for me. As for salsa, my dad is Panamanian. I grew up listening to it. And swing, I took a class and fell in love with it.

BV: You like dancing to Beyoncé's 'Freakum Dress.' How did that come about?

SHW: My friends and I all love her. Whenever we get ready to go out, we always put on that song.

BV: Do you think your training in classical theater has been helped you take to the stage?

SHW: Yes, classical theater is very physical. My partner, Mario, and I would come up with all kinds of stories to help with our dance routines to really get into it.

BV: Your boyfriend must be proud.

SHW: Brandon is really excited. He's always been in my corner no matter what. He's never seen me this size even though I used to be small before we met. He loves me no matter what size I am. But when I told him I was Pre-Diabetic, he said, "never again.''

BV: You have a lot of fans on the (DYAO) Web site. Do you read their comments?

SHW: Yeah, I sure do. I make sure I get on there and thank everyone for taking the time to say nice things about me and other contestants.

BV: Do the things you've learned from the show represent a lifestyle change for you?

SHW: Yes. I'm looking forward to continuing to eat healthy and staying in shape. I'm also looking forward to growing older. I've been dancing. I work at a performing arts studio. I help young kids and their parents to get them dancing. I also teach little kids theatre choreography, which keeps me busy. I also teach a Latin rhythm class at a fitness center.

Additionally, I would like to encourage everyone to get annual physicals. I had no idea I was pre-diabetic. It's important that we as African Americans become aware of our bodies and eating habits and pass it on to the next generation. It's not about being skinny. It's about being healthy and happy and living a long life. Thank God they put me on the show. Diabetes and obesity runs in my family, but it doesn't have to.