Three Years of Food Blogging

I've been interested in cooking and eating good food all of my life. I've also had a weight problem most of my life. As you get older, you expect to put on a few pounds. When you trade in your blue collar job for white collar (or gray collar) ones, you slow down as well. Physical activity becomes more scarce sitting in front of a computer screen most of the day. Weight gain can be a problem.

As I began writing this blog three years ago today, I never expected my weight would increase as much as it has, though. My mind has been focused on food, and not on exercise.

It's not all the blog's fault, though. The blog is just a facilitator. I've got a lot of stressful aspects to my life I've not shared with you. I doubt I'll ever share them all. The blog has helped me cope. It's been a wonderful distraction and motivator to learn more about cooking, expand my recipe repertoire, discover wonderful new flavors and ingredients, and enjoy eating the fruits of my labors. It's even put me in touch with my roots and my faith in ways that have surprised and delighted me. I hope you, gentle reader, have enjoyed the journey as well.

I need to get serious about making a change, though. I'm overweight and out of shape. Depending on the scale, I qualify as obese. I have several health problems associated with obesity: gastric reflux disease, high blood pressure and high triglyceride levels (the other cholesterol), Add a family history of cardiovascular disease and I'm priming myself for a stroke. I guess it's better than dying of cancer, like my father did.

The good news is, my LDL cholesterol levels are low, and my HDL levels are ... well ... normal. I've cut out a few sources of hydrogenated fats, and my increased use of olive oil. I don't eat a lot of animal products, either. I think that may be helping. I still need to give up soda.

I've tried dieting before, but it's never really taken. I'd lose weight, only to have it plateau early on. Then I'd get discouraged and quit, only to watch my weight bounce back up, and then some. Pretty typical dieting cycle.

My doctor is starting an HCG diet program through his clinic. One of this blog's sponsors has a program about that, as well. Depending on what's involved, I may try it. I know a few people who've tried it and done well. I know a couple of others that have tried it, and then bounced back. I'm not sure what's going to be best for me, at this point, though. I hate restrictive diets, but I'm starting to get desperate.

While the last three years have brought me joy, sorrow and weight gain, I'm looking forward to the next three years. I'm hoping to share healthier dishes as well as document my choice, and progress, in controlling my weight and improving my health. If there's one thing I've learned about so-called diet food, if it doesn't taste good, forget it. I won't eat it, and I won't share it. Let's face it, I still need a little dessert now and then, as well.

I like sharing good food! Thanks for letting me share with with for that last three years. I hope you'll stay at the table. We've got more feasting, with healthier dishes I hope, coming up.

Photograph by Zsuzsanna Kilian