I like the idea of the Swiss Cheese Diet.  If nothing else, everything you eat, would fall right out.  I’ve spent most of my life on a diet.  I didn’t start out fat.  I weighed in at 7 pounds 80 years ago. The truth is I’ve always had a battle with the bulge.  Some say it’s genetic.  Others maintain that you need to have strong will power.  Others say getting fat is a state of mind over matter – if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter.  I think it’s more about a love affair with food.  Certain foods remind us of good times, special dates, caring parents, or comfort.

I still relate most of my emotions to food.  When I was six or seven, my sister locked me in the linen closet and the bathroom door was locked.  Since she was just a toddler, she didn’t know how to unlock the door.  My mom was in the kitchen making pork chops and the aroma wafted into my tiny space.  Now when I feel claustrophobic, I relate to that delicious smell. The mind is a terrible thing to waste. Food fills us with comfort. It’s woven into the fabric of our lives.  Unfortunately, some folks can eat all they want and not gain an ounce, while others eat one cookie and put on ten pounds –  OK, a dozen cookies – well, maybe a whole box.

During middle age my father died and my weight dropped quickly. I looked anorexic, so I packed on additional pounds to feel better. Now that I’m a senior citizen, weight shouldn’t be so important..  When you go through a serious illness, you tend to lose weight, so it’s a good idea to have a few extra pounds.  However packing extra weight is like carrying saddle bags around and adds to your inability to walk.

Every day I have new determination to drop some weight.  It lasts for about five seconds. For those going through this same dilemma, my heart goes out to you.  I think the best way to diet is to not think about it.  The more you do, the harder it is. Excuse me, but I have a chocolate eclair in the fridge with my name on it.