Teri Boggess, former N&O sports copy editor, writes:

Losing weight will get me a tax deduction.

Well, not directly, but close enough.

Shrinking my waistline has resulted in many of my clothes being simply too large.

I had to face that reality when I was showing a visiting cousin downtown Raleigh and found myself walking along the Fayetteville Street sidewalk trying to look inconspicuous while holding up my very favorite cargo pants.

I have since borrowed back my favorite belt from my husband's closet. A long time has passed since that belt fit, and now it does - second notch, too.

So, as the season changes, I'm looking at my fall and winter clothes. Some local charities will be getting donations of the garments that can't be altered.

Even an unworn pair of casual shoes will go into the box. I had really been looking forward to wearing them this fall, but now they're just too big.

Now, I have a bit of a shopping quandary.

The other day, I stood in front of a sales rack marked down a hard-to-resist 70 percent and thought about next summer and needing new shorts.

And then I thought about not having a paycheck at the moment. So, I passed on the sale.

I'll buy only the clothes that I must have for whatever job I find in my post-newspaper life.

And next year, I'll spend some of my tax refund on shorts for summer.

A size or two smaller, of course.

Alan Foster writes:

My family was spread out this weekend and I had to fend for myself for several meals. Typically, I'd get take-out, but, this time I resisted.

Looking in our pantry, it occurred to me there was enough food in there to feed a small army - for a while.

I made a commitment this week to no take-out, no fast food, not even a trip to the grocery store. For one week, I'll have meals only from what's already in our pantry or freezer.

This could get interesting.

Tahira Nyabinghi writes:

Defining myself, who am I? Really?

Cut myself off from my reality for a short time to focus on me, allowed another to show me kindness, safety and comfort. Released my independence for a moment to develop a vision of what it is truly like to receive without strings, barriers, expectations.

It has been surreal, awakening, enchanting. I awoke to feel like a newborn, itching to spread my wings but scared to death at what would happen when I jump from the nest. Knowing internally that I must take a deep breath and a leap of faith in order to regain the woman I am.

People find comfort in food. I love comfort food. I try to avoid it or to make healthier versions, but homemade mac 'n' cheese or mashed potatoes with real butter - those just make things better.

Food was a celebration and a comfort in our office over the past week.

One family is using the Biggest Loser model to create a little friendly competition as they work to shed pounds.

Weight training, moreso than cardiovascular workouts, help burn body fat and keep it off.

There are some snacks that won't add inches to your waist line.

Easy, healthy, tasty, cheap and, most of all, worth trying again - what more can you ask of a recipe?

A new dish earned a place in my three-ring binder of favorite recipes on Tuesday as I look for ways to support my recently renewed effort to lose weight.

The Internet is filled with tips to lose weight or products to purchase. Some of these tactics work; some not so much. Here is a small selection of verified links you can use to track your fitness goals, improve your diet and get weight-loss ideas.

A caffeine headache can make the staunchest dieter question his goals.