Perfect. Yes, we've got to be loving and accepting of people--even celebrities--who fail to live up to their own excellent advice. They is us!

Unfortunately, the difficulty of weight management has yet to achieve the status of, say, alcoholism or drug addiction or permanent nicotine withdrawal. It never looks heroic, but it's just as tough. It takes acceptance (you're never "cured"), structure, group support, and just plain guts.

Fat people only get censure as they fail and fail against overwhelming temptations, medical ignorance, and (increasingly) genetic disability.

I try not to feel sorry for myself, or self-righteous either, as I move into my Golden Years. I'm way past my prime. Pass the Haagen-Daz.

But no. The less I use that crisp new Medicare card the better.

Excuse me now. I have to get to my weight training class at the Y.