Hi Kayleigh -- It's great that you've stopped gaining. Esp. during holiday pig-out!!!! Give yourself a pat on the back.

I'm especially concerned when I hear women fretting about weight, because of the epidemic of anorexia and bulimia, and the absurd focus that is placed on thinness. I am thin but I am not fit.

Here is a copyrighted PSA I wrote that delves into this subject -- regretably, I've misplaced the site where the original medical study appeared. I've seen this info circulating in newspapers during the past week, as small health fillers.

Overweight women who worked out regularly had healthier hearts than thin women who were out of shape, according to a new study. But don’t throw away your bathroom scale. What this study tells us is that physical fitness is an important factor in cardiovascular health. No matter how much you weigh, you can improve the condition of your heart, lungs, and blood circulation with a brisk work-out almost every day. Being overweight, however, still means you are more likely to develop cancer, diabetes, osteoarthritis and back pain. Keeping your heart healthy is a three-step program. First, exercise regularly. Second, control your weight. And third, eat a nutritious diet. It should contain fruits and vegetables rich in anti-oxidants; whole grains; and fish, nuts and oil with omega-3 fatty acids. Include low-fat dairy products and lean protein meats. This new study highlights the importance of physical fitness for cardiovascular health, whether you are heavy or thin. Fitness works with diet to control weight. All three are needed for a strong heart in a healthy body.
174 words

In the end, dieting is an act of supreme faith. We have to make daily, continual efforts. The efforts seem huge, compared with the visible effects. Sometimes, the body just plain doesn't cooperate, as there is a slight gain even while continuing with diet and exercise.

I wish you all the best with this. One of my goals for the new year is getting fit. I was never an athlete, but I was a lot better and more disciplined than I've been for the past 3-5 years.