That did take courage.

I feel the same way every time I'm in a gathering and there's cake or something. I always wonder if people are looking at me thinking, why is she eating that. No wonder she's so fat.

I can tell you that I feel a lot better when I'm riding or swimming, and that I exercise alone because my friends who ride or swim go a lot faster than I, and to work out with me would compromise their own training - I'd be imposing my lower fitness level on them. As I get stronger, I'll join more group rides, but for now, I train alone.

I also eat alone most of the time, and like you can't hide the smell of smoke on your clothes, my overeating shows up in my size 20 jeans and 2X shirts. I imagine we're both paying the physical price in performance.

My weakness lately is potato chips. Someone brought these really delicious salt and pepper rough cut chips to a luncheon at work a couple of months ago and I made the mistake of trying them. It had been years since I'd eaten chips before that. I wish I could still say that.

I wish you well in your training and your efforts to quit smoking.

Roxy