Moderation is Key

You’re probably like me and your inbox is inundated with emails claiming to hold the secret to staying thin forever. They make you feel like a failure or lazy if you struggle with your weight.

Let’s face it; it’s hard to lose weight. It’s even harder to maintain. Food tastes good. I love it. I love the experience of eating. But I love even more how I feel when I open my closet and fit into every single outfit in there. (That isn’t exactly true. Some have gotten too baggy lately and I haven’t yet found someone to pass them onto.)

This time of year I don’t even think about losing weight. Don’t get me wrong. I still obsess over maintaining whatever my current weight is—which is always at least 5 pounds more than I like.

Years ago I started a precedent by sending a platter of cookies to work with my husband. It seemed harmless until I began to focus on a healthier lifestyle. Now everyone on his shift wants the cookies. I enjoy creating and baking. I like the compliments and big deal they make over them. But I can’t resist nibbling at the broken ones when they come out of the oven.

I believe in a lifestyle of moderation. I’ll bake the cookies and nibble at a few. But no cookie tastes as good as having my clothes fit or being able to run up a flight of steps without collapsing in a panting, heaving, red-faced mess.

It’s unlikely I will reply to the weight loss magic messages in my inbox. Practice moderation and save your money. You’ll need it to buy the ingredients for your Christmas cookies.