We are all well aware of being bombarded by unrealistic body images in the media. The tabloids label a celebrity fat one day and then make claims of anorexia the next. You can’t avoid the commercials and print ads for the latest, greatest weight loss discovery. Whether it’s a new gadget, a pill, a meal plan, or major surgery we are constantly being encouraged to do something about our expanding waistlines.

Many factors contribute to why we are the fattest nation in the world. Our love for convenience (i.e. fast food, shopping from home, moving sidewalks in airports) has labeled Americans as lazy. A sedentary lifestyle definitely promotes poor health and weight gain. I was active as a child and into my teenage years. I played outdoors, acted in community theater, took dance lessons, marched with the high school band. I ate what I wanted and never obsessed over my food choices. It was a blissful time and I took that for granted.

It wasn’t until college that I experienced being overweight. I was warned about gaining the “freshman fifteen” referring to the myth that college freshman gain a sudden fifteen pounds during their first year. I put on almost twice that during my four years in college. I will admit it was gradual. Those late nights of “studying” paired with a diet of what was accessible were the biggest culprits. At age 19, I found out I had high cholesterol. After graduating, I found it hard to maintain an exercise plan while job searching. The stress of being unemployed and financially struggling did not encourage good eating habits either. I continued to slowly add on pounds. Friends and family hinted at my ballooning weight (with the best intentions, of course) but for someone who emotionally eats, that wasn’t any help. When I needed a new wardrobe to accommodate my bigger physique, it was the wake up call I needed.

When I recently planned a trip to Puerto Rico and wanted quick results for my weekend getaway. So I tried one of the famous diets that eliminate sugar, carbs, and starches (what’s left, I thought). I saw some results but found myself cranky and with relentless cravings (not to mention bad breath). Another downside with these “exclusion diets” is as soon as you incorporate the eliminated foods back into your diet, you gain the weight back. It was unrealistic to keep the diet for an extended period of time. There is only so much you can do with meat and vegetables (fruits were out of the question because of the natural sugars).

I was fed up! About two months ago, I gave up the idea of instant gratification and resigned that I would have to do this the old fashioned way. The most important step I made was to keep a food journal. It was shocking to see what and how much I was putting in my body everyday. I started reading the nutrition content labels on packaging and counting calories. Weight control is not as complicated as I once believed. It’s a simple science of using (burning calories) the daily fuel (food) that you take in daily. When you eat more than you burn off, your excess will become stored fat. On the contrary, if you burn more than you take in, you will lose weight. The reality is that as you get older your metabolism slows so you have to make more of an effort to stay active. The hardest change was I having to plan my meals. I now eat smaller meals or snacks throughout the day instead of two large meals, which makes me more energetic and less moody.

I love food and cooking; I never wanted to view food as my enemy. Drastic changes don’t work for me. I make small changes that are improving my overall lifestyle. Working out is a necessary and unavoidable evil. I try to do at least thirty minutes of cardio three or more times a week along with toning exercises. The only fast foods I will eat are salads when I’m on the run. I still treat myself occasionally. When I do splurge, I’ll just make an effort to eat really healthy the next meal. I’m finding that it’s all about balance and setting realistic goals. I don’t think I look very different but my clothes are looser and I’m ten pounds lighter than when I started. Though people have asked me lately if I’ve changed my hair.

Is it a coincidence that the beginning of the word “diet” implies death? Diets are usually bad because they are extreme and manipulate the body to respond with rapid weight loss but the body will retaliate and leave the dieter more frustrated than before they started. I say, don’t obsess about the pounds. The key is to better, healthier living. We can’t (and shouldn’t) all be waif thin. I have always known that I am not meant to be slim and trim. Heredity did not map that out for the women in my family. I love being a curvaceous woman! I’ve even joined the world of plus size modeling. Surprisingly, it’s almost as discriminating as the “regular” modeling world but I’ve never let other people’s standards keep me from something I’m determined to do. It is my small contribution to attempt to change society’s idea of what is beautiful. Thankfully, self-assured women just like me are redefining that daily.