I'm pretty sure someone once said, "Never trust a skinny food writer." This isn't a problem for me; I am definitely not a skinny food writer. In fact I'm a downright overweight food writer. Food is my very good friend and it loves me back - and front and all over, especially under my chin.  

This year, however, I vow to balance my friendship with food, create a healthier relationship, lose some weight and still be a great food writer. 

I may be making this resolution at exactly the wrong time. I've only just started my food column for Kirkwood-Webster Groves Patch, less than four weeks ago. I should be eating out more often, visiting and enjoying our local restaurants and reporting back to all of you. And I will, because I think I can enjoy good food and lose weight at the same time. No, not think. Think is not a convincing word. I know I can enjoy good food and lose weight too.  

How am I going to do this? First with exercise. I've been increasing my physical activity for the last three weeks, mostly with hour-long walks. I figure I can walk off almost any appetizer, dessert or martini. Walking off a whole meal isn't going to be as easy, but going from couch potato to an hour of daily exercise should help.  

I'm also going to simply eat less. But that's okay. Great food should be savored in tastes, not swallowed whole in gulps. Besides, there's never anything wrong with eating half an entree and bringing the rest home.

I plan to make wise food choices as well. No doubt I love my bacon cheeseburger from Mike Duffy's, my wings from Culpepper's and my chorizo cheese dip from Amigo's Cantina. Unfortunately, they don't love me. Actually they do love me - so much they never want to leave my side, particularly my backside. But Duffy's offers wonderful grilled chicken, Culpepper's serves a Fire Finger salad and Amigo's' has a Cilantro Lime Shrimp dish that makes passing on the cheese dip an easy decision.  

And really, what better way to lose weight than to put my intentions, and my chubby picture, on a website for the world to see? I now have no choice but to try to succeed in this venture. After all, you're watching me

I hope you will cheer me on, offer advice and keep me informed about the best low-cal alternatives on menus across Kirkwood and Webster Groves. And I promise to give honest progress reports every few weeks.

Bye-bye chubby food writer. But don't worry, it's not hello skinny food writer. I still need you to trust me. I think I'll just say one happier, healthier me coming right up.