Someone actually said that to me today and I did appreciate it. He said, "You must feel really good -- you've really taken charge of your health in the last year." I liked the focus on my health, rather than on the way I look.

I think you folks are right that we have all failed at dieting so many times that we are afraid of gaining back and that is why we want to stay in the too large clothes. I ordered a pair of jeans from a catalogue a little while ago and when they came I could button them, but they were slightly too tight to be comfortable. I was going to return them, but my husband talked me into keeping them, saying I would shrink into them. Not only did I shrink into them, but now they are too big. I think he had more faith in me than I had in myself.