Well, since February I have lost somewhere between 8 and 10 pounds, if my bathroom scales reading is correct. The scales at the spa indicate a loss as well.
Here was the impetus: in late Feb. I had a nasty and frightening attack of squeezing chest pains, shortness of breath, and sweating. I went by ambulance to the ER and was later diagnosed as having a lot of gallstones. The biliary colic attack symptoms can mimic heart attack symptoms--please bear this in mind if you ever find yourself in a similar situation. My heart checked out just fine in all the tests that were done on it.
To continue: My doc wants my weight and cholesterol to be lowered, so I have been working on that. I walk two miles every evening, work out about once a week, climb stairs and hills at work (it is a hilly campus), and try to stay away from fatty and greasy things. It appears to be working.
The gallbladder may have to come out eventually but I am keeping it at bay for now.