Hi fellow bloggers! It has been a while since I made an entry, but I check in all the time to see how everyone is doing. I thought I would put a positive note out there on how the holidays haven't been ruined for me because I am no longer able to eat 2nds!

I started my journey 75+ pounds ago. Last year I was down about 50 when the holidays hit and I was amazed at how I was able to have an incredible time without all the food that had been associated with the "fun" of the holidays. What I did discover, and continue to discover, is that it's all about the people we spend time with...not the food. We had half my daughter's basketball team for Thanksgiving this year and I was so busy I almost forgot to eat...WHAT? Me? I don't even taste the food to make sure it's good anymore, I just somehow know now! Again, what? 50 years of battling the holidays and I finally figure it out? So how did I get there?

Well, lots of trial & error, but what it finally boiled down to was I saw my sweet Bandolina as the boss of me, and not my magic cure all. Bandolina doesn't like chips...I can sneak some past her, but too many meant my tummy was turned upside down. Bandolina was happy when I ate in moderation and made good choices, which meant the rest of my body was happy and cooperative. Bandolina didn't say a thing when I "drank" my dinner one time, she just let all my other organs know it was time to rebel. Bandolina and I have had some head butting, but in the end, she's there to help guide me through all of the difficult choices, remind me when I make bad ones and all & all, be there for me to help make me successful! It is truly a team effort. I have had some serious health issues this past month that i KNOW I would not have gotten through had I been where I was 3

years ago, Bandolina helped me help my body to get where I am. We are in it for the long run & are in it together! I hope all of you get there too!