Mr. Silver,

I think it is safe to say I had a very stressful summer last year. First, my surgery to remove that softball size mass fondly known as "Junior" from my abdomen. This little health issue created a lot of mental stress as well as physical stress. Second, the end of my 3 1/2 year relationship came just days after my surgery. Yet another stress factor. I dropped 10 pounds last summer and can safely say it was all due to what transpired during my summer vacation. People handle stress in different ways. I lost my appetite and spent a lot of time on my bike. I'm positive the number of calories going in did not equal the number I was burning as I pedaled about trying to sort things out in my life. Life must be returning to normal for I've gained back five of those pounds but am hoping with the return of warm weather and all the riding I have planned that they too will disappear.

Hang in there and keep your chin up. Enjoy the weight lose.