Welcome to the Good, the Fat and the Hungry. I'm Karla and I have been -- or am -- all those things. Here, I will share with you my lifelong struggle with my weight and I hope you'll follow along on with my determined attempt to lose nearly 40 pounds. I promise to tell you every win and setback along the way every Tuesday and Friday.

I stood on my BFF's porch recently and heard a sound I hadn't heard in nearly two years -- a lawn mower. Even though it was distant, it was easily identifiable. Having lived down South for most of my life, hearing this sound is not unusual. Having returned to my southern home from my current New York home, the nostalgia this sound brings makes me exhale deeply. Not a lot of grass being mowed in Brooklyn but standing there on a porch in Charlotte, NC with the 60-degree sun shining on me, I was glad to be home.

In my last post, I expressed deep concern over reverting back to my old ways once I returned home. I wasn't sure if I would continue my good New York habits. In some ways, I thought I would; in other ways, I did not. After much agonizing over making time to exercise, I decided I would do what I could do. I was intent on enjoying my family for the first time this year, after all. So, I managed my portions well and made good food choices. I did not deprive myself of the local favorites I can't get in NY, such as Chick-Fil-A, but instead of having the whole sandwich, I ate half. I also enjoyed a hot dog from the North Carolina exclusive Cook-Out. Instead of getting the famous foot long, though, I had the regular size dog. This trip was a balance of what's become important to me now and how serious I am about my newfound fitness and my healthy lifestyle. It was also indicative of my connection to food, family and friends.

Before my trip, my trainer Jake provided me with routines for every day I would be away. He even e-mailed to check in with me. He would drill me, and I would answer honestly. He expressed his disappointment at my responses if they were not according to plan, but I'm fine with that. If he weren't disappointed, he would not be doing his job. If I were smarter, I would listen to him more. After all, he gets part of the credit for the responses I received from people I hadn't seen in years -- all the gasps, ooh's and ahh's belong to Jake. A particular incident of running into an old flame was nothing less than delicious. The last time he saw me, I weighed our current weights combined.

I chose to use the word "delicious" for this experience because the look on his face was more satisfying than any sweet potato pie. All that was missing from this scene was Ricki Lake hosting a show titled I used to be fat, but now I'm all that! His initial response was more than enough to make me put the fork down. I hadn't seen him in at least five years and all he could do was shake his head for a very long time. All I could do was beam in response. His call later in the day to connect before I left pushed me further away from the table.

The civil war between the old country girl and the new city girl is no more. I embrace my Southern roots along with my Northern exposure. Both have been good for me. Whether the lesson in residing in either locale was what to do or what not to do, I consider the lesson learned. Aside from where I live, I am a woman committed to living a better life. I have accepted that I will exercise and eat right every day. When I don't, I'll pick myself and move on. Health and fitness are now my constant companions. The reflection I see in the mirror screams, You Go Girl! So I'm going, straight to my goal of living long, strong and healthy. Come with me!