I’ve talked before about my weight issues before. My debut novel, Six O’clock, stems from the teasing I got in high school about being so skinny. But now that I’m in my 30’s, I’ve noticed it’s much harder to get the weight off. I used to be able to restrict my food intake for a week or so, and get to my goal weight without exercise. That’s definitely not the case anymore. I’ve tried Weight Watchers, and all sorts of other diets, I even thought of trying Sensa (which I’m still considering…) But the hubby, suggested I try the tried and true method of diet and exercise. And so I did. Counted every calorie and kept a journal of everything that went in my mouth. But I started to feel a little neurotic, obsessing about what I would eat was all I could think about. And soon it was all I could talk about too. Finally, after eating a bland bowl of oatmeal, I had ENOUGH. This wasn’t a way to live! I’m not a model or an actress—it’s not in my contract that I have to look a certain way or maintain a certain weight. I just needed to feel good for me.

So I stopped thinking about what I ate. For a week I ate what I wanted—in moderation. I’m a pro about what a true serving size is, so I kept my portions under control but didn’t harp on myself if I ate a cookie after dinner. And guess what? I lost four pounds that week. I was STUNNED. You have to understand, after months of struggling, of starving at night, at passing on the bread basket, by lifting weights to boost my metabolism—I lost weight by doing…nothing? When I stopped obsessing and beating myself up for adding Splenda in my tea, then I got a more relaxed attitude around food and for once could actually enjoy it.

I’m still keeping up the same plan, but now I walk 2 to 3 miles every day—more for my sanity than my health. I haven’t weighed myself since the weight loss, and I’m okay with that. I do plan on jumping on the scale at the end of the month, so I’ll let you guys know how much more I lose by simply, doing nothing!