I used to have iron-clad willpower. I once had a cookie jar filled with homemade chocolate chip cookies on my kitchen counter for two years (they looked so pretty in the glass cookie jar). I never indulged in the office buffets and holiday feeding frenzies. I could resist anything -- a bowl of candy could sit on my desk for months and I wouldn't eat one. I hated going out to lunch -- I avoided it whenever possible. Seriously. I had scary willpower.

Yeah, I know what you're thinking ... sounds like an eating disorder, Mary Kate.

I was starting to wonder myself, but then I got pregnant. And, I started to allow myself a few treats here and there and, to my amazement, I didn't gain 20 lbs. (well, I did gain 20 lbs., but it was all baby).

When I fit right back into my old jeans post-pregnancy, I figured maybe I'd been too hard on myself all those years (ya think?) and that the occasional cookie or candy wasn't going to kill me. "Everything in moderation" afterall, right?

But, now, lately this has been ridiculous. I don't know what happened to my willpower, but I cannot seem to stop eating lately and I'm so irritated with myself. I'm already gravitating toward the fat-pants portion of my closet.

Is it the cold and snow? Am I depressed by winter? Am I just bored? Am I unconsciously packing on warmth?

Summer -- with all the short-shorts, swimsuits and sleeveless dresses -- cannot come soon enough. A few body-baring fashions should help me find my willpower again.