Working on the Weight and Writing about the Wiggler

Here I am, seriously starting on a weight-loss plan. Oh, I've done Slim-fast before, and gotten the weight down, but it went back on and then some. So now I am trying something different: a weight loss plan that actually includes a support system and diet plan.
I have been working out at Curves off and on for some years now, and always enjoyed the comaraderi of working out with women. Curves is non-threatening in a way only a woman who feels uneasy in the presence of overly-muscled men can understand. Last week I signed up for the Curves Complete plan, which incorporates Weight-Watchers type meal planning with the exercise. Today I start week one, starting with a breakfast of peanut-butter toast and two egg whites. I can live with that. I am really looking forward to the days I get the double chocolate breakfast shake, which adds a bit of sugar free chocolate pudding to the Curves chocolate shake powder.
In addition to the workouts and meal planning, I have access to an online community of other women on the plan as well. I was surprised and pleased to learn the access to meal planning etc. will continue even after I discontinue the plan (I signed on for 6 months) and continue on my own. I'll have a weekly weigh-in and one-on-one with my coach, and a monthly measure. Stay tuned for results!

Somebody told me that a dog's life begins the day it is adopted. If that is so, Sophie is two months old today. In reality, we think she is about ten months to a year. We had a rocky start... the parvo she had when dumped at the shelter left her with what I would call doggie IBS, and we had to put her on a gentle food for awhile. Then after three weeks she began limping. A check with the vet revealed the webbing on all four paws was badly infected. The supposition is that she got into some cleaning solution while still in the shelter we adopted her from and got dermatitus, which the wet weather we were having at the time didn't help. 24 days of antibiotics and twice-daily cleaning with anti-fugal antibiotic wipes and hopefully we are now good.
Training is going well. We don't know what kind of training Sophie had before we adopted her, but we do know it was overly harsh. When we first tried to throw sticks for her to chase, she cowered away from us as soon as we picked up the stick. After a few weeks, that behavior happily disappeared. Now Sophie walks fairly well on the leash for me, once we get past the first half block or so, anyway. She sits, lies down, and knows what "off" means, although she doesn't always do it immediately. Sophie also goes to her kennel on command, but she does expect pay-off once she gets there! She likes to ride in the car, and I let her sit in front but will feel easier about it once her seat-belt harness arrives. Sophie and I have been going to obedience class at the Humane Society. We have learned a lot there, but the best part is being around other doggies and humans. It would be nice if our town had a dog park, but not yet.

Two months and one day: Sophie has decided to start acting like a puppy, snatching stuffed bunnies off the shelves. She knows anything on shelf or table is a NoNo. Time to put those bunnies away!