I grew up—and I emphasize the word grew—in the suburbs of San Francisco in the mid ‘60s to mid ‘80s. It was there that my classmates would call me all the fat names they could dream up. Still, I had many friends.           
            For most of my adult life, I have tried desperately to lose weight. I have always had the feeling that I would not be heavy forever, that there was light just around the corner, a corner that took me 15 years to turn.
            I have been drinking diet sodas for such a long time that now I think the regular sodas taste funny. I am a serious chocolate addict, and I have tried many conventional and fad diets over the last 15 years without achieving lasting success. I have feverishly read many more than my share of diet books, always praying that the next one would hold the key to weight-loss and, hopefully, happiness.
            At the still youthful age of 40, I started a diet, based on all my different weight-loss experiences. This diet led me to weight-loss success, though now I continue to fight as I try to lose the last 10 to 15 pounds that separate me from my goal.
            I continue my dieter’s quest by weighing myself at least once a week and making appropriate adjustments to my diet. I also exercise at least five times a week (whether I like it or not).
            Though I had hoped my physique would soon resemble that of Brad Pitt or Tom Cruise, I will probably settle for a thin version of Tom Arnold.
            Looking back, I now realize that losing weight is not about one universal piece of knowledge that will set us all free. It is more about understanding who you are, realizing the significance of your behavior, and dealing with yourself in the most beneficial way possible.
            I currently live in San Francisco, two blocks from Golden Gate Park. I hold Bachelor’s Degrees in Management and Accounting as well as an MBA in Finance.