Growing up, it was a blessing to have a mom who always put a delicious dinner on the table every night. Dinnertime usually comprised of rice and several dishes of meat and vegetables. I was trained to stop eating when I physically could not continue – when my stomach was distended and aching. Pretty much everyone in my family is that way. In fact, after our nine course Chinese wedding banquet, my aunt told people that she was still hungry and had to get a burger afterwards. She weighs about 100 lbs. My family breeds these human garbage disposals who never gain weight.

Case in point – my sisters. I censored myself because I don’t want to traumatize my FB with a picture of me in a bikini. This was us last summer in Hanauma Bay in Waikiki.

Unfortunately, my garbage disposal genes are recessive. See?

Anyway, since getting married, ST and I have packed on some pounds. ST’s answer to this is, “Who cares? You’re married.” This placated me for a while, until my clothes started getting tight. Then they got tighter. Then I stopped wearing some of them. During my spending fast, I realized that I don’t need nice clothes to look pretty – I already have lots of nice clothes – I need to feel good about myself. This was a crucial turning point in my shopping recovery.

I liked my body most when I first married ST. I weighed 118 pounds and thanks to eating right, personal training, and 4-5 days of exercise, some of those pounds were lean muscle.

Toned arms, no double chin, and hard back muscles.

Currently, I weigh 122 lbs. Before you roll your eyes at me, remember that I’m only 5′ 1″! I’m pretty much a hobbit sans the hairy feet (my sisters treated me to a pedicure recently ). That, compounded with the fact that I’ve been on a workout hiatus since August – gaining 4 lbs is a lot. My weight gain is localized to face, chin, and belly. Those 4 lbs are a double chin, muffin top, and flabby triceps that prevent me from wearing two of my favorite dresses.

Disclaimer: I am in no way saying that weighing over 122 lbs or any other number is fat. For some people, like my friend Helene who is 6′ 3″, 122 lbs would be ghastly. For other people like my buddy Livia, 150 lbs is hot. It’s all about the individual and their personal goals. I am very uncomfortable at my current weight and it shows.

The last few pounds are very difficult to shed. The only time I’ve lost them was when I did that crazy 10-day cleanse last summer. I was half-starved and miserable. Shedding the double chin, muffin top, and flab, involves strategery.

THE PLAN – FOOD

• The meat/carb rule. So I just made this up, but it probably isn’t original. Based on previous experience, depriving myself of whole food groups is setting myself up for failure. In order to regulate my meat and carbohydrate intake, I cannot eat meat and carbs together. Hello pasta primavera and mushroom lasagna, goodbye spaghetti and meatballs.

• Be prepared with healthy snacks. Eating healthfully makes one hungrier more often. I need to eat every two hours. I like to snack on apples, oranges, wheat bread and peanut butter, and Greek yogurt with honey between meals.

• Limit unhealthy, fattening foods. Peace out, red meat, processed cheese, and Shake Shack burger and fries.

• Order salads when eating out. Usually, every restaurant a decent selection of salads. Even the Wendy’s in the Houston airport; I just asked them to substitute grilled chicken for the breaded chicken. Hard-boiled eggs, chicken, and cheese make a salad heartier.

THE PLAN – EXERCISE

• Hit the gym at least three times per week. Due to commitments at work and general day-to-day exhaustion, I don’t want to set myself up for failure by overextending myself. I find that on the days when I’m super tired, I can just do the cross training machine for thirty minutes. It’s pretty easy and still gets the job done.

• Personal training. For a few months prior to our wedding, I worked with a trainer at my local Bally’s. Training helps me stay on track and keeps workouts interesting. Personal training is quite pricey – $586 for 8 sessions, but thanks to my spending fast we’ve saved enough money to invest in this. I’m going to see how these next few weeks pan out before taking the plunge though.

The best way to stay accountable about going to the gym is getting a buddy. Today, I went to the gym with a friend and we’ve already made plans to go again next Saturday. My other friend has a treadmill, so when I hang out at her apartment I can hop on for 30 minutes. Convenient and fun!

Wish me luck!