Yes... I’ve been AWOL for two months (that’s a bit over a year for a dog) and I’m not proud of it, but the blog needs new life and I’m back to write a bit about some adventures I’ve had over this span of time. Then, I want to check out what you’ve been up to!

I guess the best news is that I’ve lost 12 pounds since I last posted, which is a load off my... well... lots of parts. I feel so much better to have dropped those pounds and am currently stymied by the last three stubborn big ones. At least that’s what they feel like! Three huge pounds! I also know they’ll disappear eventually – I always plateau at my current weight before the bod allows more to come off, so I’m not too anxious or frustrated. I’m just continuing to do what’s been working, which is to eat about half of what everybody else seems to eat. This is a relatively new habit I’ve managed to put in place and it’s definitely working. I’ve also been cramming in the cardio and adding full body workouts three times a week. (That’s where I’ve been!)

Secondly, I’ve been doing book readings – small venues, but I’m slowly making sales and most importantly right now, to make the point that while weight loss is important to so many of us for so many reasons, that maintaining that loss is critical to our overall health if we’re to continue keeping the changes we’ve worked so hard on in place. It was really fun doing a reading at The Corner Book Shop on Madison and 93rd in New York about a month ago, which went well – I met so many enthusiastic and wonderful people back there who attended – owners terrific too. Locally, I’ve been darting in and out of places such as YMCAs and small independent book shops, where the response has been super positive. I’m encouraged as I keep working on following my own advice he he!

Third, I’ve been working as always, in between bouts of colds and sore throats etc. While that’s not too much fun, our dog has suffered some major problems. I must now admit to having another blog (have not figured out how to connect it to this blog yet) at http://sammiegolden.blogspot.com/ which is all about our pup. That has taken up some time, especially lately, when her problem with the G-L-O-V-E required lots of attention from the V-E-T. If you want to go over there, it starts with the post on “Mischief.” So I’ve been cheating on my own blog LOL! I don’t know how anyone does two blogs at a time, but I’ve found it so tough that I messed up Samantha’s first blog trying to get tricky with some HTML code that I had no biz doing! I had to start all over again! Good lesson. Here are a couple of pictures that I was sent a while ago at the reading in NY.

Finally, am still working several hours a day as a trainer with time spent in the company of grandchildren as much as possible. It all takes time, but I’m so glad to get this posting done! Happy Sunday and I’m about to take a look at your blogs!