Thanks for your support, Mary! Because I do weight work, I do stay off the scale and go more by how I feel, how my clothes feel, inches lost. Scales and "diets" are torments from the past that didn't help me - just tormented. I did have a summer vacation at an artists' & writers' residence where there were snacks, richer food and a chef that served late-evening dinners where we gathered - an experience to be savored. I took walks, did yoga, but my eating habits are usually much more spartan, and I could hear my metabolism slow like a train pulling in to Penn Station. And the loose jeans aren't as loose as they were!!!!

I just can't bear the idea of spending any nice daylight hours at the gym right now, I just want to ride, ride, ride in the sun. I also have a special event in October - I've been inviting to take part in the Brattleboro Literary Festival - definitely as the rookie author - amid people like John Irving and maxine Kumin. I know feeling lean & strong and having some new clothes that look great on me will help boost my confidence.

I look forward to checking out your pictures - at work, where I have access to a faster computer. We who are making such big changes in our bodies and therefore our lives have so much to be proud of!