I haven't written much lately at all about my weight loss progress, so I thought today would be a good day to catch you up on it. The reason I haven't written much about my weight loss lately is because I have not lost any weight lately.

Why haven't I lost any weight lately? Did my pound a week plan fizzle out? Did I give up? Is my weight once again climbing?

Not at all! I'm happy to report that since the beginning of this year I've lost nearly 30 pounds. I haven't lost any weight lately because I'm now holding steady at my "fighting weight".

Yes, dear reader, my pound a week plan has paid off. I've lost quite a bit of unsightly fat this year by watching what I eat and by exercising more. I recently went in for a physical, complete with a full blood test. My doctor says I'm effectively younger than my true age. I feel better too. I sleep better. I enjoy life more.

My weight goes up and down a pound or so a day. I think that has more to do with hydration, how much work and exercise I got the previous day and what combinations of foods I ate. I try not to manage my weight to the ounce. If it goes up or down a little it's usually not anything to be concerned about. I don't get concerned about it because somewhere along the line this year I learned the secret to losing weight and keeping it off.

I can't tell you exactly when I realized this; but sometime during the previous months I figured out that the secret to losing weight and keeping the pounds off has to do with awareness. My method for eating the right amounts of the right foods centers on being aware of how much fuel I need to do the things I want to do every day. Somewhere along the line, I recalibrated myself to a better ability to balance energy input to energy output. It was as simple as that.

So, here we are, Friday morning. Three day weekend coming up. It's the last day of Summer. OK, the last unofficial day of summer. Measure it any way you like; but for me Summer will always end with the three-day Labor Day holiday. Summer's end always triggers a thought in my mind: Apple season. To me, there is practically no better thing in the world than apple pie. As I sit here drinking my morning coffee and dreaming of apple pie, I'm truly elated at the thought that this year I will be able to enjoy my favorite dessert more than any other in more than a decade. I've discovered my secret to losing weight and keeping it off, so I'll be able to enjoy my apple pie free from guilt (well, almost).

Have a great Labor Day holiday.