How did I get here!?!?

Obviously by eating way too much!  Losing weight has never been as easy as gaining weight; for me, anyway.  I have psychoanalyzed myself time and again and here's what I've come up with:

1. Convenience is critical. 
2. Visiting with extended family almost always involves a huge spread of food prepared by the best cooks in the world (aka., the women in my family).

Seems simple enough to address at a glance, but gosh... these two issues are so deep rooted, that it's going to take a major lifestyle-overhaul to achieve long term success.  I put emphasis on long term.  I've always been big with an exception of about a 14 month span when I jumped whole heartidly into my version of the Adkins diet.  I did great at dropping close to 100 lbs, but when the bread and potatos came back, so did all that weight.  Plus some. 

So here I am, trying again.  This time will be different.  I realize that there's no one out there reading my blog now, but hopefully over time that will change, and I'll have the support I need to do this the right way, and who knows - maybe even be able to provide support to others having the same struggles. 

With my YMCA membership card in hand, and determined attitude, I'm looking forward to reshaping my lifestyle in such a way that not only will I feel better, but I'll look better and even be around for a lot longer than would be the case otherwise.