Have you noticed that these new supposed "helpful" diet foods introduced to the unsuspecting public end up causing you issues (like the embarrassing problem of Olestra and "anal leakage," for example)? It seems to me to that the adage of eating a little more naturally (and a little less) while increasing calorie expenditure is never wrong. There are, however, some tricks to getting there.

I've had a few e-mails asking me what I did to lose my own body clutter from people who saw me 50-plus pounds ago and see me now — from a tight size 18 to a nice-fitting size 10. And because I love the number 10 so much (especially because that's what size my jeans are these days), I'm going to give you a top-10 list of hints from a woman who admits she's over 40, had two children, (OK, so they're teenagers now) and loves to eat (I write cookbooks for a living, for heaven's sake).

Here you go — "The Top Ten Ways This Middle-Aged Woman Got Her Groove Thing Back," starting with number 10.

10. Reality Check No. 1. Oprah always says, "This I know for sure," and then says something profound but simple that clicked. Here is my "This I know for sure," eating in the car, eating over the sink and eating standing in front of the fridge, counts. You can't fool your digestive system or your thighs. Everything that goes in your mouth counts!

9. Reality Check No. 2. Write it down. Yeah, I know what you're thinking: "I already know what I'm eating." You think you do, but when you write it down, there comes a moment when you find out some of the food you've been eating has been the result of an unconscious decision. You actually ate and you didn't know it! Writing it down makes every bite accountable because it's in black and white on paper and looking back at you! That'll make you think twice before snarfing down a Little Debbie in the car.

8. The Potion of Portion. When you apply portion control to healthy eating, that's when the magic begins. Regardless of how healthy something is, if you're eating too much, you're not going to lose the weight! You must be absolutely aware of how much you're eating. For example, a deck of cards is the right size for a portion of protein. An ounce of cheese looks like a pair of dice.

7. Waist Not, Want Not. When I go out to dinner, they almost always bring me way more food than I need. I ask for a doggie bag immediately and make sure I get the food halved into the container and sometimes, I'll put even more in my little bag. The adage, out-of-sight, out-of-mind, applies big time.

6. The No Bag Rule. I've made a rule for myself and that is to NEVER eat out of any bag something was purchased in. On the off chance that I would actually have potato chips in my pantry (it happens occasionally), I will transfer some of those chips into small, zipper-topped snack-size bags and only two of them. That will take care of my need to eat crunchy, salty food without sending me to the confessional to own up to a chip binge.