This month on HealthCentral.com, I provide some tips to help you make the most of your dietary, aka lifestyle changes. There are so many conflicting reports that cover the 5 W's of food: what, when, where, how and why to eat what you eat.

Food - a fully-loaded four-letter word. Nutrition, culture, allergies, addictions, habits, business, and politics, can all be packed into the things you put into your mouth. When you google rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and diet, you'll find a smorgasbord of options that can make it hard to know what to eat.

I've struggled with being overweight my entire life. While I knew that those extra pounds were hard on my joints, I couldn't seem to make the necessary changes. I am happy to report that I am finally comfortable in my own skin. Through lifestyle changes, I have released the unwanted pounds.

It's been a process to get to this point. It begins in the heart; for me, it began in establishing the place I now go to address my stress. In turn, that allows me to make better lifestyle choices. I also stopped using the word “diet.” This four-letter word leaves a bad taste in my mouth. I've started and failed far too many diet plans. When I use the word “lifestyle” instead of “diet,” I find it gives me the freedom to make adjustments to suit me. After all, I am the “driver” of this particular “vehicle.”

Click to read the rest of You, RA and Food Choices, where you'll find a list of considerations that can help you eat well.

This article originally appeared on RA Hub on HealthCentral.com in 2016. To read my other articles, please see HealthCentral.com Writing Gig.