I've been in a mood all day and I think part of the reason is because I've been thinking about writing this post. This is not an easy subject to talk about and I realize that there are people who will vehemently disagree with me and others who will completely identify with what I'm about to say.

I've been thinking about writing a post like this for some time, but I don't think I had the nerve to put this out there for the whole internet world to read. But after a fairly intense discussion with sara n. dipity last week about food, food choices and, essentially, will power, I think it's time for me to go ahead and put it out there.

The name of the first blog I ever authored was Confessions of a Food Addict. That wasn't just a funny sounding name; I believed then and continue to believe now that I am addicted to food. And I believe I have been for a long time... even when I was a kid.

I grew up in a healthy household. Dad cooked dinner every night, we rarely ate out, no cereal with sugar as the first, second or third ingredient, no junk, no chips, none of that. But I managed to find it anyway. I remember walking to and from school and frequently stopping at the corner drug store for candy. In fact, I remember running the 50-yard dash in elementary school with my hand over the pocket of my skirt so that the bags of M&Ms and Skittles I had poured in there wouldn't fall out.

Despite being fairly athletic as a kid -- lots of little league, bike riding and extra curricular sports in high school, etc., etc. -- I was always heavy. I loved to eat. I still love to eat.

I think I found a little peace when people (like Oprah) started acknowledging that food addiction is real. Unlike other addictions, it's difficult to get away from a food addiction because the thing I am addicted to is actually required for life.