Learning to make casserole with chef/owner Marc Sheehan at Northern Spy in Canton.

It's been about three months since I began my serious weight loss journey to help reduce my blood pressure without using drugs. By "serious," I mean, listening to what my doctor's orders were: Limiting the number of calories I eat to 1,000 per day and exercising 60 minutes daily.

Well, I can honestly say, I'm not counting every calorie I eat, but I am eating a lot less and avoiding dessert, carbs and alcohol. My diet on a typical day is: Plenty of water and flavored seltzer, sugar-free oatmeal for breakfast, fried egg or protein shake for lunch and meat or fish with salad for dinner. In between I'll snack on either pickles or a rice cake with a thin layer of peanut butter, or a Fiber One snack bar.

I'm also not exercising 60 minutes a day, but I'm doing the best I can. I go to my gym three to four times a week, take a Zumba class once a week and walk outdoors every day when weather permits. I even have a walking buddy on some days, which makes it a lot more enjoyable. If I'm not able to get outside, I'll exercise indoors with Petra Genco on YouTube.

The weigh-in

It was like a moment of truth when I stepped on the scale at my follow-up appointment at the doctor's office on May 27. I was 10 pounds lighter than I was on my last visit. I could see the pleasure and surprise on my doctor's face -- or maybe it was more like shock and surprise.

She was pleased, and asked me if I could continue the changes I've made for life.

"I can," I answered as thoughts of doughnuts, cookies, brownies, pizza, pasta and cocktails invaded my mind.

Lifestyle change for good

I don't want to gain the 10 pounds back I've lost; I actually hope to lose at least another 10. But it's not easy, especially in my line of work as a food and dining reporter.

I recently attended a wedding in New York with an endless selection of hot and cold appetizers during cocktail hour and an additional hour of a dessert buffet with everything sugary you can possibly imagine, even a candy bar.

We also visited three incredible diners while we were in Long Island. Have you ever been to a New York diner? There's a glass case displaying desserts as soon as you walk in and these are no ordinary desserts. They are like desserts on steroids such as chocolate covered eclairs, lemon meringue pie, cheesecake, chocolate mousse and so much more.

It was not easy to resist this abundance of food and dessert I was surrounded by, but I did. Instead of eating it, I videotaped it for a reel on my Instagram account.

I'm glad I've done this on my own without trying a diet like Keto, South Beach, Nutrisystem or a medication that helps you lose weight, but is not sustainable. I've tried them before and gained back the weight I lost because in most cases, you are eating food they sell and not changing your eating habits and learning to make healthier choices.

I actually get full faster when I eat a meal. I guess my stomach has shrunk.

Being the dry one in the group is still a little strange

I also haven't consumed alcohol since March.

I must admit, being the dry one in the crowd is still challenging because I feel like I'm the only person who prefers a mocktail to a cocktail and that my "peers" like me better when I'm tipsy. But it definitely has helped me shed a few pounds and fit into my favorite dress again.

The journey and motivation continues

I still have a ways to go on this "serious" weight loss journey. I'd like to get back to where I was in 2019, which was my best.

The doctor said this may not happen, but it's worth trying because taking care of my body now will make life down the road when I'm older, a lot better.

My blood pressure has improved as a result of my weight loss and no prescription is necessary.

I can finally look in the mirror and feel good about the person I see: A new, healthier me.