What do you feel like you have to have first thing in the morning that might give a nutritionist a panic attack? By paying attention to how you feel (how you really feel), you might just realize these substances aren't what you're craving after all.

I am suggesting you look at different areas of your life and see where there might be room for one small change. Accomplishing that change could affect the rest of your life -- and perhaps your health -- in a very positive, very beautiful way.

Many assume that after losing over 250 pounds of excess weight and after keeping it off for more than a decade, I've got this "healthy eating thing" a...

Fresh-baked bread with cream cheese is not something I eat daily. Sometimes not even weekly. But it is something I enjoy in moderation. Even if I'm being strict with my eating plan (something that, for the record, I'm always paying close attention to, even when "treating" myself).

No matter what your most tempting foods are, you can still have them -- in moderation and in healthy portions. And with tools like measuring cups, we can eat well and not overdo it to the point of triggering a binge.

To my surprise, this smaller, quieter way of goal setting actually began to work. By keeping quiet, I didn't feel compelled to check in with people (or worse, explain to them why a goal hadn't yet been met). Without this cycle of shame, I found my goals actually had a chance to gain more traction.

Finding joy within ourselves (and being determined to do so no matter what's going on around us or what's happening in the world) really can help to make the world a better place.

The holidays do not have to be a recipe for disaster when it comes to staying healthy, keeping fit and looking divine all the way through New Year's Eve and beyond.

Those who know me won't be surprised that one of my go-to items for a "hit" of autumn is an edible -- well, drinkable -- one. For years now, I've been addicted (potential 12-step-group-addicted) to Starbucks' Pumpkin Spice Lattes (or, as I refer to them, "fall in a cup").

Picture, if you will, a zombie in a field, moving toward its goal -- one (often ungraceful) step at a time. Although this zombie might be missing a limb or two -- or even if it's being shot at -- it just keeps on going. Kind of like the Energizer Bunny -- only with more blood and guts.

I realized that keeping my portions and food choices in mind was something I was going to have to stay committed to for the rest of my life -- assuming I wanted to keep fitting into my newly aquired "regular size" clothes.

One thing still frightens me to this day. Something that, if revealed, would absolutely get me into trouble with my current gym's hardcore clientele. And that, my friends, is what I'm about to confess... My iPod has a few Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana tunes on it.

With inspirations like Joy Bauer getting the word out that anyone can achieve dieting success, we can leave all of the squeezing (including into clothes and other tight spaces) behind us once and for all.

By breaking free from the cycle of equating our only joy with food, we free ourselves -- not only to meet our weight loss or other health-related goals, but also to really appreciate everything around us.

Do I love it when the alarm rings? No. Am I thrilled when stepping onto the treadmill knowing I'm going to be on it for an hour? No. But do I love how I feel when my workout is complete? Yes.

Although you wouldn't know it to look at me today, I used to be a total boob man. But the difference between me and that guy who Googles Dolly Parton is that at the time, I had boobs that could give Ms. P a run for her money.

The FDA recently approved a prescription diet pill named Qsymia. Note that I refer to this as "big news," as opposed to "good news." Personally, I don't think anything out of a jar or bottle can ultimately provide what we really need to take off the excess weight.

These days when I think back to some of the misadventures that I had when I was over 250 pounds overweight, I often chuckle to myself -- while also admiring my stamina for not only getting through that time in my life, but also conquering it.

Have you ever had a challenging life situation rear its ugly head in the midst of an otherwise good day or week? If so, did you give into the grief and the agony and jump on board the pity train? Or did you shake it off and move forward with a positive spirit?

Take some time to just be in your own head whenever you're walking to or from your next destination. You just might be surprised what wonderful, beautiful and (sometimes) top secret message the universe has in store for you.

I'd used common sense, balance and my own self worth to meet all of my goals. No quick fixes -- or books meant to rip us off through false promises -- necessary.

Sixteen days after this year's London Marathon ended, a final entrant crossed the finish line. Claire Lomas, who is paralyzed from the chest down, finished the marathon with a little help from her "robotic" legs -- along with a very healthy dose of willpower and sheer determination.

Are you sure you were enjoying a delicious filet mignon the last time you went out to a fancy steakhouse? Or were you eating pieces of stew-quality meat that were "glued" together to form what resembled a filet mignon, but was actually anything but?

Ms. Bauer, who has been a longtime champion of successful dieters, points out that dieting and losing weight is 50 percent attitude. And thus, she suggests a couple essential (and common) steps for anyone who wants to win at the losing game.