There's a reason.

I always hear people scoff when someone orders a fast-food lunch and then asks for a Diet Coke with it.

Yes, there are loads of calories in fast food, and they always say, gee, what's 140 more calories? If you're going to eat like a slug, eat like a slug! But I have to say, 140 calories is 140 calories, and sometimes it's saving the calories in the Coke that let you splurge them on something else. Or vice-versa.

Ever since I had to start watching my weight more carefully (damn this age thing and a slowing metabolism!), I've been much more aware of not only how many calories I take in, but where they come from. I try to periodically track things on FitDay.com so I have a good sense of what the right amount of calories looks like.

It's really opened my eyes about portions, but also how you can nickel and dime yourself into Fat Town. A couple of years ago I found myself with the choice of either cutting back or buying a whole new wardrobe one size bigger. I couldn't see blowing the cash, so I started watching calories.

It's not a "diet." There's no special strategy to it. I just try to watch how much I take in and work out a few times a week. It seems to do the trick. And if I feel like being extravagent on vacation or a holiday or just the weekend, I do what I want then try to be vigilant during the week.

Which brings me to my original point. If I'm on a "try to keep it less than X calories a day" day, and I eat one meal that's going to blow a bunch of my calories, so long as I keep it light for my others that day, I'm still good. But I have to cut somewhere. And an obvious choice is my drink. The 140 calories I save on my lunch drink can be eaten at breakfast. Which would you rather do? Skip breakfast or drink a diet drink at lunch? Me - I'd rather eat the extra meal.

In reverse, if I eat a Lean Cuisine at lunch, I can have a real Coke. The calories I saved with my food just bought me a yummy, full sugar, full caffeine super-wonderful Coke Classic. And if I've stuck to Lean Cuisine and diet drinks all week? Now, I can have the big lunch AND the Coke. And still fit into my clothes. Yeeeeeaahhh.

See? There's a method to the madness. Don't be a hater when someone's at least trying to cut SOME calories. The little stuff adds. up.