less leslie

OK, that’s a little dramatic. Nonetheless, my alma mater has delivered, on a scarlet-and-gray platter, the latest nail in the coffin of African-American eating habits. (Emphases and edits, mine): Researchers looking for differences in eating habits of African Americans based on whether or not they had Type 2 diabetes uncovered an unexpected result: No matter…

So, have you figured out, yet, why you are so overweight? I’m asking because a good friend is going through a pretty rough stage in her life. I’ve known her for more than 25 years, and what a long, strange trip it’s been. On the surface, we seem to have zero in common: Ethnicity, family…

Some of the biggest stars just aren’t anymore. In the current issue of People magazine, John Goodman tells how he lost 100 pounds and Drew Carey, 80 pounds. I really liked John Goodman in HBO’s Treme, probably because he was a frustrated writer. I think fellow Ohioan Drew Carey is wasting his talent as host…

Little girls are starting to diet at age 8. That was the first thing that caught my attention this a.m. as I was half-listening to the Today show. I suddenly felt aggrieved. Age 8 means unicorns, rainbows, Barbie dolls and a closet full of pink dresses, pink jeans and pink sneakers. I rarely curse, but…

My, aren’t we negative today . . . A report released yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) stated that Americans are getting fatter and fatter, with obesity rates reaching 30 percent or more in nine states last year, as opposed to just three states in 2007. That means that 2.4 million…

Confession time: I’m only down 36 pounds. Me, I’m happy, but some of you guys have been pushing for more results. I understand. It’s not where I’d hoped to be at this point, either. I turn 49 at month’s end, and it would be nice to be down 49 pounds, if not 50. That would…

Hey, haters. That’s such an ugly term, and yet I get so many messages about it I have to address it, so indulge me, please. I’ve heard from several women who’ve lost weight, but also “friends” in the process. I’ve said that those people must not have been true friends, but a few have insisted they…

I do love parks, and have all my life. I grew up next to a park reserve called Possum Creek. (Stop snickering.) My neighbors’ grandchildren were the same ages as my brother and I, so most summers were spent in and around the park, catching crawdads and frogs, exploring the woods and coming home covered…

No doubt, a diet with more plant than animal sources certainly sounds like it should be healthier, but I don’t yet know why, so . . . Vegetarians and vegans of the world, unite: Tell me what’s so great about your way of life. Someone on the “Less Leslie” fan page suggested I look into…

The last time we heard from Rachel was in June, 19 days after her gastric-bypass surgery. If you’re  new to this blog, you will want to start with the three-part series that began right before my friend Rachel had the surgery. Now, an update:  How much have you lost since the surgery?I have lost 39…