New specs, feeling good, and some thoughts on dieting. As many of you know, I have struggled with weight for much of my adult life. Over the past few monts, after trying all the diets, I finally found one that works for me. Not without the frustrations and struggles of learning new habits and behaviors, with the onslaught of toxic, weight-shaming messages that arrive around this time each year, I want to share why I AM and AM NOT dieting. I am NOT dieting because of the motivators that society wants us to fall for: so I can flex scale readings, so I can be seen/noticed by others, so I can alleviate guilt and shame, or . . . vanity. These pressures are not always easy to resist, but doing my damndest to do so. Why I AM dieting and the only reason anyone should be compelled to — because health — and my blood pressure and pre-diabetes decided that, this Fall, they were no longer playing. I've always had higher blood pressure, but it really started spiking and my last blood test had me...