I hope that wherever you are, you are enjoying the change of seasons. For some, that means “boots and sweater weather;” for others, it’s football and bonfires; for still others, it means enjoying the bounty of the season and the opportunity to cook up some of my fondest Autumn foods. Over the next few weeks, you'll get to try some of my favorite seasonal recipes.

Fall is probably the best time of the year to take stock of where you are in your health, nutrition, and fitness goals. Why now? Because we are heading into what I call, “the season of treating” -- it starts the week before Halloween and goes through the winter holidays -- or for some, through Valentine’s Day! It can be a slippery slope! Those three to four months can do more to derail your health and weight goals than any other time of the year. In fact, many people gain 5 to 10 pounds.

But there's good news. If you take time right now to learn more about your relationship with food, exercise, and your personal health, you can control your cravings (instead of your cravings controlling you) and you will be armed with successful strategies for making better choices throughout the upcoming months.