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Diet shouldn't be a four-letter word

The Healthy Fit Project is a "go." A minimum of 100 people had to initially sign up in order for the program to be utilized. With more than 120 participants, the program is off to a strong start.

I am a participant in the project and will share with you my progress from time to time.

Diets have been a part of my life since I hit puberty over 30 years ago. Genes haven't helped my situation.

My mother's family members are small-framed, short people who have weight problems as they get older.

My father's family members are tall, broad-shouldered, big boned people. I definitely inherited my bone structure and shape from my father's side of the family and my height from my mother's.

I don't mind exercising. For me, it's a time issue. However, I do find it easier to exercise with someone else. Having a walking partner makes the 5:30 a.m. walks go faster and I tend to show up to do it when I know someone is waiting for me.

Eating is not just a necessity for me; it's an activity, an event. That's partly our society and culture.

What do we do when we get together as a family? We eat. How do we plan an evening with friends and loved ones? It's centered around food.

I'm a meat and potatoes person. I also like pasta, desserts, and pizza. Part of my problem, huh?

I have successfully lost weight. Never easy for me but I have done it. But I tend to gain back a portion of it. I've been told that I'm an "easy keeper" because all I have to do is look at food and I gain weight.

For me, it's easier to just starve than to try and follow a set diet. However, I am not going to do that.

According to health professionals, a person shouldn't diet. Instead a person should change her eating habits and make it a lifestyle change.

Diets are temporary; eating healthy is a life time commitment.

The Adkins Diet is going to be my first step for this program. With this diet, I count carbohydrates instead of calories. I've been on it before and have lost weight. It seems to be easier for me than counting calories.

With the holidays, I'm going to stick as close to it as possible but I'm not going to totally deprive myself of everything I like.

My goal is to lose weight, become more fit, and look and feel healthier. Eating healthy will help me achieve that goal.

I would like to hear success stories from others on the program. So tell me your stories.

Maybe we can share a hamburger (no bun) and a glass of water.

— SUSAN BERG

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