Every year around this time I cringe. Not because of the holiday's but, I cringe with the thought of the exhaustion, excitement, the temptation of the food challenges. Ten years ago I was diagnosed as a Type II diabetic A1C 7.3%. It has not been easy and it has not been one plan. It took me years to bring my A1C down to 6.1%. I was a yo-to dieter, a quick weight loss and a gain it back kind of person. I just could not find the balance. Until a few years ago. At 68 years of age, I enrolled into college and as of May 18th, 2023 I graduated. During this time in college I learned quickly, get a plan to maintain energy, focus and stamina to make it to classes everyday. Sometimes early, sometimes at night, up until late with homework. Shortly after I started, Covid-19 hit, people dropping out of school right and left.  Classrooms went from everyday on campus to online, challenge one right after another.  In four years I missed two classes, I found out I am stronger than I thought. I pulled from that inner strength real quick. I struggled to find a balance in diet and exercise. The balance for me and finally the tool that worked with very little effort was Yoga and figuring out my macronutrients balance. No product to buy, effort on my part to calculate the successful formula. I did it! I did not have to buy different foods or not go to celebrations with friends or out to lunch. I figured out what worked for me and what real foods I could eat to lose weight, get healthier, and enjoy life.