Someone once said that the best way to lose weight is to throw out the scale. I’ve spent a lifetime trying different diets. There are a million out there. The thought of a Swiss Cheese Diet never occurred to me until I saw this cartoon. I imagine you could lose a bunch of weight if you just ate the holes. I didn’t start out fat.  I weighed in at 7 pounds 84 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 can 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.

When my father died at the age of 62, 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 loaded saddle bags around all the time 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.

THANK YOU, JESUS, FOR ANOTHER DAY!