After the weigh-in last Saturday, Laura gave the contestants a homework assignment: "I need you to answer this question: 'What has been the biggest change in me since I started the contest.' Please go farther than saying that you lost weight. It might be the ability to walk up steps easier, or buying different clothes, or exercising when you didn't think you could before ... just something that surprised you or that you're excited about that is different from when we first got started at the end of January." Well.  If you've been following the contest and reading the weight charts since the beginning of the contest this year, you will know why this assignment really had me stumped.  I wanted to stay positive so I had to think a lot about it and enlist the help of my husband to honestly answer this question. Here it goes: The most obvious (and frustrating) change is that I weigh MORE today than when the contest started.  So far, my results have been far from what I expected from myself, after what I had been able to do last year.  By the same token, though, I think that I'm better able to look past the obstacles to what is positive, rather than see only gloom and doom, throw in the towel, and just decide to stuff my cheeks with peanut butter and chocolate chips.  This year has reinforced that losing weight can't be a six-week, six-month, or even a one-year project no matter how significant or visible the short term success is – it really does have to be a life changer – or the gym closings, knee surgeries, rainy weather, or whatever else that comes up will stop the momentum and any progress will come to a standstill. And it definitely takes a lot more energy to get something moving again after it has stopped, than to keep it moving along from the beginning, even if it's at a snail's pace. The more important change is in my attitude:  I know I CAN be successful, and I'm determined to BE successful – and that means sticking with it (and maybe even having to start all over again) each and every day.  It may be taking a lot longer to get back on track then I would like, (especially since results are published!), but it CAN be done. The main change that has stayed with me from last year is to be honest about my weight and WHY I'm overweight.  Even though I may look for other reasons to blame for the packed-on-pounds, the bottom line is that I eat too much and don't move enough.  Period.  Working on eating less (and making healthy food choices) and moving more has got to be the main focus for me to be successful to lose the weight that still needs to be lost and then to stay at a healthy weight.  Being mindful of healthy eating and exercise each and every day is something I will need to live with for the rest of my life.  Period. Barb