They say I'm an "expert." That's a rather imposing title. So, what do I say to get things going?

Might as well introduce myself. Always a good start.

Blog folks, meet Scott.

Scott - these are your blog folks.

"Nice to meet you Scott."

"You too folks."

OK, so my friends call me Q. My wife (um, this is the second one. I call her the "good wife." I know, it's tacky, but it's true) calls me "bunches." Not really sure how that came about. I think it started early when we were dating. Saw a Johnny Depp movie: Don Juan de Marco. Not great. Held our interest though. I think it was romantic. Well, being in the early gushy stages of a relationship, we started that really cute talk to each other. You know, "I love you." "No, I love you more." "No me more." Anyway, it became I love you a whole bunch... and that led to "bunches."

Hmmm, that might be in the category of "overshare," huh? You're probably more interested in my weight loss stuff. So...

I've been on diets since I was born (9 pounds 14 ounces - sorry mom!) Lost 100 pounds at 17 years old. Put it on again. Took it off. Put it on. Repeat as necessary.

Fast forward to my 39th birthday in 1993. Marriage is falling apart. I have chest pains and backaches. I weight 250 pounds and have a 44 inch gut. And in the middle of the night, I find myself eating birthday cake out of the garbage.

"Scott, this is rock bottom."

"Rock Bottom, I'm Scott."

I realized at that point that all my problems had one thing in common: me. If anything was going to change, it had to be me. And it better start with my eating (and some therapy).

I hit my goal weight 12 years, 7 months and 20 days ago (but who's counting?). Now, in addition to a weekly syndicated column on "weight loss, habit change, and other acts of faith, I speak to audiences around the country about the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs necessary for long term habit change. (My presentations are described as a "cross between Nutrition 101, Group Therapy, and a Southern Revival.") I believe that change takes place in the right brain. In other words, it's not about what we do, it's about what we think,feel, and believe. I also think that too many people focus too much on the results and not the cause.

We're in a such a hurry to "get there" we forget to enjoy the process. After all:

1) There's no guarantee we'll get to our goal
2) When we do, we find there's always more to work on anyway

I guess that brings us to now.

Why me? Why in this spot?

I posted some comments on Eons and was contacted by a wonderful, delightful, supportive person called the EonsBody Editor. (Of course, I think she's wonderful, she liked my stuff.) Anyway, we e-talked and she asked if I wouldn't mind being an "expert." (Flattery will get you everywhere...)

So, I'm here to help, share, and to also get some sujpport myself. I look forward to getting to know you.

Feel free to get in touch. (In addition to posting here, you can reach me at scottq@THINspiration.com, www.TheEatingCycle.com, or at my other blog: scottq.blogspot.com)