Hi there --

I'm one of the "lucky ones" who have never had a weight problem, although I do have fitness issues as I get older. I have written about dieting when I was a reporter, and my hat's off to those who succeed. To take off weight safely, one has to be content with about 2 lbs a week, especially when getting off that final 20 or so. It seems to me that it takes a lot of faith that what I give up today in the way of pleasure will produce a desired result quite a good ways down the line.

I do hope you will do what you whatever you can, not beat yourself up when you fall back a bit, and keep us posted.