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Diet Dispatches:  Carole Tanzer Miller, features editor, writes: The cars lined both sides of the road and filled the parking lot near a neighborhood gym back in January.

Diet Dispatches:  We're giving away a copy of "The New Atkins For a New You Cookbook" and two new Jane Fonda DVDs, "Trim, Tone & Flex" and "Firm & Burn."

Diet Dispatches:  Weight Watchers overhauled its weight-loss plan just over a year ago and is getting mixed reviews. For a story, we'd like to talk with members about their experience, and what they think about the changes. Have they helped you lose weight?

Diet Dispatches:  Andrea Weigl, features reporter, writes: I am now into my fourth week back at work. I have to salute any woman who can juggle motherhood, full-time work, breast-feeding and exercise. I haven't been able to do it.

Diet Dispatches:  With the new year, we introduce some new members of the Turning the Scales team. They are beginning to share their stories at blogs.news observer.com/turningthescales , and you'll hear more from them here in coming weeks.

Andrea Weigl, food reporter, writes: Before I left on maternity leave, I promised to chronicle losing my pregnancy weight on this blog.

Diet Dispatches:  Our three community bloggers made great progress toward their goals in 2011. They reflect today on their successes and share tips to help you slim down and get fit.

Diet Dispatches:  Carole Tanzer Miller, features editor, writes: Congratulations to winners of the fitness DVD drawing.

Diet Dispatches:  Carole Tanzer Miller, features editor, writes: Who couldn't use 50 great tips to help you live a long, happy and healthy life? Writer Sophie Keller has compiled them into a new book titled "How Happy Is Your Health?"

Diet Dispatches:  Carole Tanzer Miller, features editor, writes: The scale is back on my side, bouncing comfortably between 136.2 and 138.7. My khakis fit a little looser. I'm breathing easier. Feeling stronger. Life is good.

Diet Dispatches:  Andrea Weigl, food writer, who is on maternity leave, writes: Let me first say: Every woman's body is different. Every woman's childbirth is different. Every woman's postpartum weight-loss experience is different.

Andrea Weigl, food reporter, writes: My husband and I are celebrating the birth of our baby Wednesday morning, a beautiful 7-pound, 11-ounce daughter. I promised to chronicle my efforts to lose my baby fat on the "Turning the Scales" blog.

Diet Dispatches:  Carole Tanzer Miller, features editor, writes: A year ago this month, I reached my 135-pound goal. The exact date isn't clear from my iPhone WeightBot records: I weighed in at 136.5 on Oct. 11, 2010, and the next entry was 134.3 on Oct. 15, 2010.