Cyndi, you said that you're in your early 50's and the bulge is hitting you, well, I'm in my mid 30's and it is hitting full force!!! How sad. Monday is my starting day, so today we had crablegs with garlic butter and a frozen Oreo pie while watching the Stepford Wives. I feel disgusting. Tomorrow is my last day, so I get one more day to feel disgusting. I would like to know if anyone has some NORMAL tips. I cannot go without carbs, I have to have some chocolate. I cannot cut out foods I love. I really don't have much of a plan, except to cut back on my portions. I'm going to cut out soft drinks (I hate diet), cut out sweet tea (I may go into cardiac arrest over that one). I'm going to cut out as much pasta, white bread, "bad"carbs, as I possibly can. I'm going to try to eat more veggies, fruit. I buy fruit every week and watch it ripen and then rot to a sufficient level of mush, and then I throw it out. I'm not a big meat, chicken or fish lover, but I'm going to try to increase those for protein. I am a complete carb-o-holic (as are many women), oh, and we're going to TRY to cut out most alcohol for awhile. You are so right, bathing suits are going to be unforgiving. No hiding anything!