ok, so after waffling for a year and struggling even more than usual, I am back to a weight loss regimen. I have decided to follow the south beach diet again. i had some success with the program back in 2003. right now, i have to concentrate on lowering carbohydrates and sugar. i feel that south beach is a workable program with a philosophy about dieting that meets my current needs. i had a good first day so we will see what today brings.

as usual my life has been tumultuous for awhile. a quick recap begins in january 2008 with the passing of my mom. that terrible time was followed by severe back issues, my dad's illness and subsequent surgery to insert a gall bladder drain, my back surgery (hurray a success), my dad's home burning down (5 days after my september 2009 surgery), dad (and his caretaker) moving in with us (an adjustment, but we are all happy), ralph's mom passing in November, my osteoarthritis diagnosis (which will require an ankle fusion sooner than later) and finally my dear brother's passing on may 13, 2010. my needs fell to the bottom of the heap for so long, i basically wound up down there too. thankfully, an eye-opening doctor's visit a few weeks ago steered me towards survival mode again. still, it has taken some time to wrap my head around all the damage i had done to my health and body. but here i am, finally looking up from the pit (that i alone put myself into) and taking the first tiny steps to work my way out. i don't think i have been this low before, but that doesn't mean i can't pick myself up.

i am using both calorie king and the south beach diet web site for support. hopefully it will be the one-two strategy i need for a knock-out. hmm...i think i am getting carried away with my metaphors. so i will end this now with a "it's good to be back" and a "hearty hello" to old friends and new!