I survived not one but two Christmas functions, drinking only water and avoiding over-indulgence in high-calorie hors'd'oeuvres. I'm really starting to get a sense that I can do this, sensibly and slowly.

In the gym yesterday, I had a moment where I felt I was going to fall. My trainer was incredulous that such a thing could happen. Why am I telling this story? Because everybody's sense of balance - and perception of reality, for that matter - is different. What seemed perfectly safe and normal for him was a real challenge for me. Not that I'm complaining, because I'm not doing this because I want to stay in my comfort zone. That's why I put on weight in the first place.

I was thinking a little further about my post this morning and was reminded of a quote that's variously attributed to Dean Martin or Frank Sinatra: "I pity people who don't drink, because when they wake up that's the best they're going to feel all day."
That hasn't been the case for me! I've been feeling worse in the mornings now than I did when I was having a few drinks at night - although not as bad as I have felt the morning after a really big session.