In the last 20 weeks I have lost 37 lbs. That's less than 2 lbs. a week, which is not at all "fast" -- "they" tell you to aim for between 1 and 2 lbs. a week.

It helps not being able to afford to eat -- not that I recommend that -- but I try to include more walking in my day, and I'm now obsessive about label-reading and carb-counting. And I don't deny myself the occasional donut. The difference is that I'm not having them every day -- once or twice a month, maybe. Tonight with dinner I had ONE Lindor truffle.

I also have given up soda for iced tea and flavored water (just can't get tap water down unless it's freezing, freezing cold).

Probably the two biggest changes I've made are paying attention to portion size -- weigh, measure, the whole bit -- and making sure I don't bring into the house anything I can't be trusted around. That's why the kids who come to my door on Halloween are getting temporary tattoos, stickers, etc instead of candy.

It is very hard work, and as DPM said, it never really ends -- we're going to have to be vigilant about it forevermore. Hang in there and vent anytime.