It's not the fat that's making you fat: it's not understanding separating carbohydrates from protein and fat.

Think about it - just getting rid of the fat doesn't get rid of the toxins, which are reabsorbed into your body. This creates a vicious cycle. Losing weight without learning to eliminate chemicals is like a merry-go-round. And it's why dieting doesn't work.

Artificial sweeteners may trigger cravings for other sweet foods. When your body is not fed nutrients, it asks again and again for more food, triggering heavy-duty cravings for fattening, sugary foods. Artificial sweeteners also mess with your metabolism.

From middle age on, there's nothing more vital to your health and weight control than building lean muscle mass, and the only way that happens is with weight training and exercise.

I take pride in knowing the NFL is pink in October, sparking conversations everywhere about breast cancer and prevention, all in the spirit of my mom.

I learned long ago that the most effective way to compete is to play your own game, and I've been competing with men my whole life.

My mantra: Brainless exercise is a lost opportunity for improvement.

That's part of your life lesson to be afraid. The bigger question is how you deal with being afraid. Do you have to summon courage or something else to live with that fear without letting it take you over?