Okay, I've been the "lucky" guy who pretty much ate what I wanted most of my life and kept it under 180 (20 years ago), then 190 (15 years ago), and then 200 (five years ago), etc. Having a skin cancer scare on my face, I thought I'd never go out in public again, but the scaring after surgery healed well as promised. I beat the skin cancer each check-up since and got this terrible carefree ego attitude at 47 that I needed to do simply whatever I wanted...

Well, this year I have been fighting off all the good folks at work offering me more brownies, cookies, cake, pie, etc. than ever before, prior, during and after hours. It's simply goodwill friendship that has gotten out of hand, and they get offended if you don't socialize with their food gifts. I know I upset more people than before with refusals this year alone.

Last week I got a physical, EKG ok, cholesterol check, prostate ok, etc. My doc is concerned about the LDL cholesterol numbers, so I have started seriously on the diet. Weighing in at 210 last week, I am now down to 203 with some serious exercising and cutting way back each day. Tonight was tough. We went to a county fair with the kids...Fair food simply isn't healthy, and I abstained the booths and walked.

I do great during the mornings and afternoons, but evening is more of a challenge. I have a very strong resolve to get the weight down, if not for me but for the future of my family. With the weather better, I am walking more, biking, swimming daily, etc.

I know many have more serious weight problems/health than I, but I fear if I don't do something now and keep it up, I'm in for more health trouble.

Has anyone been in this rut I am in and beat the cravings?