I'm usually on the bully pulpit for weight loss, but today, I have a confession to make. I ate way too much and gain several pounds during the holiday season.

There, I said it. I came clean. Now perhaps I can put the cookies, egg nog and chocolate behind me and get back on track.

God knows, it has been hard to stick to my plan. Food has been everywhere and I've been off my exercise game. The only reason I caught it was I finally got on the scale yesterday -- and almost keeled over from scale shock.

Diet books always urge you to forgo the scale, but honestly, I can't live without it. With one glance, you know when you're eating too much.

Anyway, I know I'm not alone in falling off the wagon. If you did too, let's just start with a clean slate.

All your food sins are forgiven. Now, wipe those chocolate smears off your face and let's move forward into a new year of weight loss.

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com