I'm happy to report that, despite some expected vacation over-eating that led me to gain three pounds, I'm back to my pre-vacation weight of 174 -- and still nine pounds from my ever-elusive goal.

This has been a weird week, both in terms of weight-loss and life in general. I worked out Monday and Tuesday, but then got a surprise flare-up of gout. Yes, gout. It's not just for pirates, old people and the morbidly obese. 

Sorry for the delayed update this week, but I've got good news: I appear to have pushed through the dog days and gotten my second wind.

151.5
151.5
151.5
151.5

After seeing the same weight on four days, and having a very brief flirtation with 148.7, I finally accepted that I indeed had lost 12 pounds since joining this blog.

The scale brought more good news today: another pound lost, another pound closer to my goal.

Today's weigh-in was a bit disappointing: I only lost one pound. I know, I shouldn't feel bad. Any weight loss is good. But after last week's three-pound loss, I was expecting similar big things. 

If you watch "The Biggest Loser" regularly, you know about the dreaded Week 2 Weigh-in. 

I had my own Week 2 moment today.

After six straight days of workouts last week, I'm pleased to say I had a positive first weigh-in today: I lost two pounds.

It's about what I expected, but it's also a good confidence booster. It's progress. And I think seeing progress right off the bat is a great motivator to keep going.

The trick is to keep upping the intensity to avoid the dreaded plateau, when your body gets used to the new exercise routine and the calories don't come off as quickly.

I'll take the exercising up a notch with tomorrow's workout, either through a longer time or a higher resistance level.

But I'm feeling good and looking forward to more positive results.