I am starting a Series Called Healthy Summer Series and have created a page dedicated to it and any blog post that falls under this topic will appear on that page. In it I will share all the things that I have learned as well as recipes and tips to help keep you inspired and feeling satiated. This isn't at all about dieting, it's about living healthily and being our best! Getting and staying healthy in the summer is different than during the winter - skin is barer, skin care needs differ as do dietary needs and seasonal foods and produce.

I will be 50 years old next year and I am so tired of looking at and comparing myself to all those 20 and 30-somethings out there in social media. They aren't reality, and most importantly, they're not my reality.

I've been relatively carb and sugar-free since early May when a step on the scale had me completely rethinking everything... I eat well and I exercise very regularly yet despite this I've developed a bit of a middle aged spread. I complained to my doctor last fall and she told me, basically, that it was inevitable. It's my age and my hormones and that I shouldn't worry about it. But I did and I do. We tested my thyroid levels, just in case... Alas the levels were all normal. That meant one thing. I was going to have to somehow eat differently.

I am not a fan of fad diets and I would rather "Carbio" than Paleo. I just can't give everything up. When I feel deprived I want to cheat. When someone tells me I can't have something, naturally I want it! I had to figure out how I could create a way of eating that could sustain good health and help me shed the pounds. It's really not rocket science. I know what works and what doesn't and I know what's good and what isn't. Don't ask me to give up dairy, caffeine, alcohol, fruit and everything else. My morning routine starts with a home made cappuccino that I savor slowly as the sun rises. It's how I start my day calmly, without stress. I have milk in my cappuccino. I work out almost every morning and before or after I have a Greek yogurt for breakfast - sometimes with berries or other fruit. Fruit is healthy - it's full of fiber and vitamins and antioxidants. I dismiss any "diet regime" that doesn't allow fruit and other healthy items. My theory is if it's found in nature then it's healthy. And yes, this applies to my coffee and my wine!

I like my glass of wine at the end of the day. I won't budge there. Not an inch. So, what am I willing to sacrifice to shrink the middle? Carbs and refined sugars. They're terrible for us anyhow. Basically this means I have to avoid the pantry, or what I jokingly refer to as "The Carb Closet." This basically means no bread, crackers, potato chips etc... no Goldfish, Oreos, pretzels, Smartfood and all the other crap I have in there for the kids. The crap that I tend to pick at mindlessly without paying attention. I am not gluten-free. I can tolerate gluten and I don't want that as an excuse to run to gluten-free items that have much more sugar and higher carbohydrates. I like salt. I like crackers. I love potato chips. I love sandwiches, pasta, and rice. In my "relatively carb and sugar-free" month plus I have lost 7 pounds. And I have, on occasion enjoyed a carb or something sugary. Within the few weeks I have done this I have had 2 restaurants to review, two girls lunches and a Birthday where my children would be devastated had I not had a piece of Birthday cake. It is important to have a "cheat day" or a "day off." I would like to lose another 7 pounds and I will continue to do what I have been doing. I don't really care how long it takes. I will be 50 years old next year and I aim to be my best self ever!

Below, me and scars and my wrinkles.

Below, genuinely surprised when they brought out a small cake for my Birthday. Lunch with the girls. I turned 49 the next day.

I will disclose that I am 5'3" - I will NOT disclose my weight. I am not ashamed of it but this isn't what this is about. It's about each and every one of us being being the best that we can be. It is not about being competitive or comparing ourselves with others.

Healthy Summer - A series dedicated to health & fitness