I haven't been keeping track of what I was eating for the past three months, just eating basically low-carb. I haven't gained or lost. Yesterday I decided to start keeping track again.

Here's one thing that might help you all. We are all faced with foods we shouldn't be eating, just about every day of the world. But ask yourself, just which of you is bigger? You, or that piece of food drawing you. Sure, cake and ice cream may be good, but how are you going to feel, physically and mentally after you eat it?

What are the reasons you're straying from your eating plan? Are you really so weak you can't pass by a piece of cake? Or do you stray so you can later seek attention and support from your peers? I don't mean this to sound mean, but I think we all need to evaluate why we give in to those temptations.

There are so many options!

If you have a half-dozen birthdays within the family in a week's time, why not ask your family if you can just have one big birthday bash? Then, make your own low-carb cheesecake, complete with whipped cream, and take your own low-carb ice cream. I can guarantee you that by the end of the get-together, there won't be one bite of your cheesecake and ice cream left, and not because you ate it all yourself. This is what we do. If our families are having a high-sugar event, we just pack our own food. Everyone's become quite used to it within the last six months.

Also, when we've been places unexpectedly for dinner, generally speaking, there are meat and veggies served, so it doesn't take anything at all to fill your plate with some meat, veggies and salad. One of my friend's husbands looked at me a bit funny at first, told me I was crazy, and I just said, 'You know what? The contents of this plate hold more vitamins and minerals than that entire bowl of macaroni and cheese you're lavishing onto your plate. And then I smiled big. My friend (the wife) soon started her own rendition of low-carbing (she didn't have a lot to lose, so basically cut out all sugars and refined foods) and over the winter went from a size 10 to a 6. Now who's crazy?

Are you running crazily about town trying to get errands run and suddenly run out of fuel? Most of the quick-stops I've been to have at least meat and/or cheese stick packages that make just fine snacks. The Maverick store even sells an 'Atkins' breakfast for $1.99 which consists of two eggs, two pieces of sausage and two pieces of bacon. We sometimes grab one in the late afternoon and share it for a snack.

I know about dealing with stresses. Life is full of them each and every day in one form or another, but truly, I've never found that stress or family get togethers makes an excuse for straying from this way of eating (and that's all it is, is an excuse). I feel so much better eating like this it's just not worth it.

Hang in there. Hold your ground. Prove to your family and friends that you can do this without needing the crud they're eating. A lot of them would like nothing more than to see you fail. Show them you won't.