Many of my friends and family have told me they believe I am fearless because I am willing to take big risks. The truth is I know that when I set a big, hairy goal, part of the deal is that I am going to feel some fear. I expect it to come and I am not surprised when it arrives. I allow myself to feel the fear and I keep moving forward. It is like I know fear will be my com- panion and I have learned how to work with it and yield to it instead of deny it or fight it. I like to keep it close, not buried under fat or food. Fear only becomes an issue when we avoid feeling it. We avoid taking a risk because we don’t want to feel it; we bury the feel- ing under stress, anxiety, or fat. Exercise: • Make a list of the top three negative feelings you avoid feeling. What do you believe would happen if you let yourself feel them? 86 • If IAm So Smart, Why Can’t I Lose Weight? What is the wo1st thing that coDlC haYYen i+ yoD allow yoD1sel+ to +eel a +eeling?