The Jewish holidays are upon us once again. How to make them meaningful? Who to invite over?  What will my menu be? And the most difficult question…what will I wear? Not in the fashion sense-who’s looking at me way. But in the what- will-fit or what-size-am-I-this-year way?

Thank goodness for the closet of many sizes.

My weight, like many people, fluctuates. Some may view me as chubby, others might see me as thin-ish. What really matters is how I see myself. I can accept growing older and my changing body. I can try to hide the lumps and bumps that come with my life experiences. Four c-sections and nursing babies came with a price to my body. But I don’t need to give in to food and give up on keeping my weight at a place that’s comfortable for me.

Sure it’s difficult.  I love food. The challenge is finding the balance of enjoying food but not letting it get the better of me. How can I drop that extra 10 pounds? Here it is – the secret to losing weight…eat less and get off your tush. Simple? Yes. Easy? Not so much.

The dieting world is a multi-billion dollar industry for a reason – people want to look good and be healthy.  My favorite weight loss program was Weight Watchers, which helped me get a handle on my weight a few years ago. But then I got lax and whoop, there it is – the weight creeps back up. We all have heard the reasons why people overeat – because we’re happy or sad or lonely or bored. We eat because we’re hungry or because food’s delicious – whatevs. No matter the reasons, we’re alive therefore we eat.

I learned about healthy eating from my mother. She was so darn healthy, it was annoying at times.  She was very aware of what she ate but not in an eating-disorder kind of way. She always kept her weight in check, generally looking better than I did. She truly could have a bite of something delicious, or just one cookie – that is not in my genetic code.  I admired her healthy eating and emulated her as much as I could, but unfortunately I am more of a textbook glutton.

I hate my closet of many sizes, yet love it all the same. The jeans from when I was my skinniest hide in the corner, mocking me and daring me to ever fit into them again. Then there are my “fat jeans,” my reliable, comfortable old friends – I hate fitting into them but am grateful they are there to welcome the larger me . I can’t bear to shop for a bigger size.

I will mentally set my brain to “lock-down,” and try to control my excess eating and exercise more. My food strategy can be compared to the mullet – business during the week and a party on the weekend. It takes some will-power and determination. And a touch of vanity. I make no grand proclamations and take it a day at a time.

Starting tomorrow of course, after a last supper of Peppermint Patties and Chardonnay.