If you have expectations, you try to put your standards on someone else's behavior. The fact is you can't control anyone but yourself, so creating standards, as opposed to expectations, keeps the ball in your court.

The only reason I write at all is because I am going through, and growing through, something in my life I want to share with others through my personal experiences.

I tried every diet under the sun and none of them worked but, more importantly, they were robbing me of my love of food.

If I don't get to go to the gym, walking is the answer.

You can tell your kids they are perfect and don't need to change - which could cause insecurity when they recognize their own shortcomings - or tell them they are terrible, which would undermine their sense of self-worth and confidence. There's a happy middle ground.

My dad, who is a heart surgeon, works with many adult patients who did not take good care of their bodies in their formative years. He is able to teach them how to break old eating and exercise habits and reshape their bodies, but not without a great deal of resistance.

I have been very, very lucky because I have my health, a wonderful husband, family, and friends, and I get to do what I love.