I was sick for most of October and half of November.  The swine flu really took it out of me.  I developed pnuemonia, then had the stomach flu, and finally ended up with a sinus infection. 

It was so hard to start working out again.  I was embarrassed to go back after so much time away, but I did.  It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be because I felt better.  I'm so relieved my weight wasn't greatly effected by my sickness and time off from working out!

I've been working out now for a couple of weeks and I'm at 263.  I'm really hoping to get through the holidays without the normal weight gain I have from eating everything in sight.  It's not been too bad.  I miss eating all the chocolate I want, but I don't miss the soda. 

I have more energy to get stuff done and we've been digging out from the years of stress and illness.  I found medicine in our medicine cabinet that had expired in 2006 and 2007 (just after Simon was diagnosed with autism and my world went sideways).  The greatest thing about the holidays is that we have extra time to put our house back together again.  I have enough junk to have three or four garage sales! 

My 2x clothes are getting looser.  I think I'll have to change to 1x in about 50 pounds.  I'm going to have to step up the exercise though.  I'm working out for about 45 minutes 3 days a week.  To pick up the weight loss I need to work out for an hour at least 5 times a week.  It's so hard to find the time, but I have to keep reminding myself that I'm worth it.

I'm still getting comments from people that I look different.  Some notice that I'm thinner, but others ask if I changed my hair, or got new glasses.  It makes me smile!  I tell them I've lost over 35 pounds and it feels great!  I'm not as shy to let people know about it now because it feels more real to me now.  I'm not dieting, I'm taking better care of myself by working out and staying away from too much sugar.  It's so simple I'm ashamed I haven't done it sooner.

Here's to 263!  Only 108 more pounds to go!  Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!  Enjoy your families and love yourself.