At 53 years, I have been struggling with weight issues for about half my life and maybe it's time I finally stopped doing the "easy" things (which never seem to work in any lasting way) and try a common-sense approach. True, it will be slow, and it will be frustrating...but (hopefully) it will provide a lasting, permanent change in habits.

I'm in this journey with my life partner, Kathryn. We live in the San Francisco Bay area with our cats and love our life...perhaps a little ...

At 53 years, I have been struggling with weight issues for about half my life and maybe it's time I finally stopped doing the "easy" things (which never seem to work in any lasting way) and try a common-sense approach. True, it will be slow, and it will be frustrating...but (hopefully) it will provide a lasting, permanent change in habits.

I'm in this journey with my life partner, Kathryn. We live in the San Francisco Bay area with our cats and love our life...perhaps a little too much! With a partner who is a chef it's easy to over-indulge.

We both love wine and spend a lot of time in California's nearby wine regions - Sonoma and Napa Valleys. We are fortunate to have a full basement in our house which is fairly well temperature controlled and makes a good wine cellar.

So, loving to eat and drink and not wanting to give up anything, I'm hoping that I can find the inspiration I need in SparkPeople to keep me motivated. Changing habits is never easy, but I believe there is a way to find a balance - it is possible to lead a healthy lifestyle and not subsist on sticks and twigs. Moderation and determination will have to become my new buzzwords if I am to succeed - replacing gluttony and sedentary!

Read More About LKBODE (Updated November 16)