I'm counting calories because I didn't want to exclude any particular food. I had lost weight before on what I called a "modified South Beach" diet, but I gained it all back because I didn't take care to watch what I ate after my dieting was "over." Now I realize my dieting will NEVER be over. I will have to be careful about what I eat FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE. NOT every day.... but EVERY WEEK.

One thing almost every weight loss program encourages is keeping a food journal and writing down every bite you eat. I decided to do that on a blog. I am planning to make it easy for myself to look back and see what I ate that I liked to eat so I can continue to eat in such a way that I will not regain what I lose.