There is a definite sense of de-ja-vu (sp?), as I sit and type out this first blog of the 2011 contest.  Two blog postings per week are required this year, so I'm definitely going to have to work harder at that part of the contest too!   The plan is to "finish what was started" in last year's contest.  When the first of the year rolled around, I was planning on being a silent contestant but then it dawned on me that I still have just as much weight to lose as last year really, which would warrant another shot at being an official contestant.  I sent in an essay at the last minute and Laura agreed to let me be a "footnote" contestant (participating but not eligible for prizes which is just fine by me!)   And taking two years to lose 50% of your original body weight is pretty common in the reading I've done - especially if you want to do it smart and then keep it off.  Since I feel like I've wasted too much time (years!) on this weight issue, I truly want to keep it off.    And like so many people who've worked on dieting and exercising, I've lost weight but never reached my goal weight and this time around I'm determined to do it.  Being 5'2" and weighing over 180 pounds still puts me off the charts, still has me on meds that my doctor says I can get rid of by losing more weight, and still has me using the CPAP machine at nights.  Since the ultimate goal is to get rid of the meds and CPAP machine, my work is cut out for me.   Last year my routine was centered around Curves but since the Painesville and Concord branches are now closed, there went my weekly workouts and Monday night yoga class.  It's still a bummer that they had to close, and I know that I'm not the only one that has had to re-think an exercise place and routine.  It did make me realize that I need to rely more on myself to be disciplined to exercise - the place isn't as important as taking the time to exercise and be active because if that place is no longer available, you can't just throw up your hands and say I can't exercise anymore because I can't go to that certain building.  But that was another excuse that I used for awhile --   One thing that I definitely remember from last year is the feeling of dread as it gets closer to the first article/pictures being published.  But I already know that a lot of people think that it's crazy to go public two years in a row with this ongoing weight-losing battle.  Sunday and the "revealing" will be here and over soon -- bring it on!  We're ready!! Barb H.