As I've been assessing this year and thinking about everything I've learned food-wise in the past 365 days, I made a quick list of the hard lessons I've learned. I've noticed that I am (unfortunately) one of those people who regularly attends the School of Hard Knocks. I think I'm earning my doctorate, to be honest.

I've gained some of my body clutter back and it's because I got lazy and let go of my previous rules for myself. I know my body, I know what I can and cannot do, so why do I think I can somehow fool myself? Here are some answers to that perplexing question:

1. Everything counts. Yes, even a bite. Our bodies run on simple math; too much will show up on your body.

2. Everything counts, No. 2. Standing over a sink eating, eating in the car, eating in front of an open refrigerator, it all adds up when it comes time to a morning of reckoning on the scale.

3. "Just this once" or other such similar phrase usually means I am setting myself up for a downward spiral in eating and it will take a few pounds gained to knock some sense into me.

4. "Good-for-me" food doesn't mean its a free-for-all. Portions matter and I don't need as much as I think.

5. Being good in a restaurant means not finishing everything on my plate. I still think clean plate and I don't need to do that! Restaurants typically give you enough to feed three to four people. Bag it up and take it home!

6. The only free food is water. Everything else has something in it and will ultimately count when I step on the scale, including a glass of wine or a nip of eggnog!

7. The scale is my friend. If the numbers have gone up, it's a wake up call to fix whatever it is that I am doing to cause them to go up. Getting on it every morning keeps me honest.

8. Movement is not optional. If I don't exercise, the numbers go up even if I eat like a bird. I have a thyroid issue. The only way to keep it in check for me is to exercise daily, eat small meals and take my medication everyday.

9. It's OK to be hungry. I've been so paranoid about being hungry (that's when I overeat) that I've taken to eating too many times a day and inadvertently putting on a few pounds because of not being aware. Becoming friends with hunger keeps my food in check; a little bit hungry is OK.

10. A food diary is essential! It's way too easy to get lax, forget and eat unconsciously. Food is an issue for me, I need to stay aware by making sure what I write down is the same thing that has gone in my mouth!

Body Clutter is a book that tells the story of FlyLady's and my journey into wellness. We have discovered one year later that understanding and dealing with one's body clutter is a neverending process. I hope my ten things will help you in your own journey with Body Clutter.

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Leanne Ely, a k a Dinner Diva, is the author of the best-selling "Saving Dinner" and "Saving Dinner the Low Carb Way" (Ballantine). What's for dinner? Go to www.savingdinner.com and find the solution!