Back in the 60s there was a quirky sitcom about a bumbling spy named Maxwell Smart. He and his partner, Agent 99, worked for CONTROL, a secret government agency whose mission was to thwart KAOS’ attempt to destroy the world. Max had numerous catchphrase like, “Would you believe…”, “The old (fill-in-the-blank) trick!”, and “I asked you not to tell me that.” However, the one that resonated with me today was, “Missed it by that much!”

When I got on the scale this morning for my monthly weigh-in, I fully expected to hit the 100 lb mark since starting my experiment back in December 2014… well, I missed it by 1.7 lbs.

I was so convinced I’d hit the milestone that I wrote an anticipatory post last week bidding adieu to THE 100, calling the culprits responsible for each pound out by name. That’ll teach me to count my adipose before it melts!

I’m a little bummed, kinda like when you ask Santa for a Barbie but you get a Betsy Wetsy instead, or you think it’s Friday only to find out it’s Thursday (sorry JD!).  Normally, I would obsess about this let-down, but a wonderful thing has happened since I began Searching For My After – I got smart and learned not only to count the pounds lost, but my blessings gained as well. With that, in honour of the weight I’ve lost to-date, here is my list of 98.3 things I’m grateful:

1. God’s grace and mercy
2. My daughters
3. My zany family
4. My remarkable friends
5. Restored health
6. Laughing – I love it more than any binge food!
7. My abstinence
8. Living in the best country ever – Oh Canada!!!!
9. My house
10. Second chances
11. Losing the equivalent of a Bernese Mountain dog/Snooki from Jersey Shore
12. My job and coworkers
13. Fewer heart palpitations
14. Don’t’ get wedged in chairs with arms anymore (yay! no more bruised hips!)
15. Belong to a wonderful 12-Step fellowship
16. Can shop in regular sized clothing store (yippy! no more stretchy clothes!)
17. Sponsor(s) I adore
18. Not being embarrassed to dance in public anymore
19. Family videos and old photos
20. Supporting other people on their journey
21. Learning I’m not alone, even when I am alone
22. I can be around my trigger foods and they don’t faze me anymore
23. Can keep up with my friends when we go for a walk
24. The colour yellow – it’s so happy : )
25. Living close to the lake
26. Videos of babies laughing
27. Bubble wrap – Pop! Pop! Pop!
28. A cup of tea and a good book
29. No longer get winded when I climb a flight of stairs
30. Rainy days
31. The Internet
32. Seahorses – they’re magnificent!
33. Stargazing
34. Playing board games on a cold winter’s day
35. Writing
36. The macaroni necklaces my daughters made me when they were in kindergarten
37. Traveling – I want to see as much of this beautiful planet the good Lord made!
38. My iPhone
39. Pashminas
40. Puppies
41. The cooing of a mourning dove
42. Music – except country, it makes my ears bleed : (
43. Jumping in a pile of leaves
44. Art galleries
45. PJs
46. Flowers
47. Hugs
48. Hummingbirds : )
49. Sudoku
50. Garage sales
51. Netflix
52. Paris
53. Rainbows
54. Spellcheck, but not autocorrect – that beast has got me into a lot of trouble!
55. Doodling
56. Vacation days
57. Picnics
58. Apple picking
59. Playing Tombola (Italian bingo) with my family
60. Being a tourist in your own city
61. Getting a good deal
62. Milk glass
63. The snooze button
64. Finding a penny, picking it up, and all the day I’ll have good luck!
65. Fridge magnets
66. Being helped by a good Samaritan
67. Being a good Samaritan
68. The farmers market – I’m digging Wychwood – thanks Telli!
69. Willow Tree angels
70. London
71. Pinterest
72. Candles
73. Snowy days that make you feel like you live in a snow globe
74. Long weekends
75. The Psalms
76. Yatzhee
77. Ankle socks
78. My FoodSaver vacuum sealer
79. Going to a cottage
80. My garage door opener
81. Post-it Notes
82. Spanx
83. My car
84. Books
85. Kitchen gadgets
86. Clouds
87. Scoring a good parking spot
88. Sunflowers
89. My electric toothbrush
90. Museums
91. Campfires
92. Comfy shoes
93. Ladybugs
94. Good conversation
95. Home cooked meals
96. The Toronto Maple Leafs – don’t be haters!
97. Good hair days
98. Checkmarks on my to-do list,

and last but not least,

98.3 YOU! Thank you for supporting me on my journey!

The Results Are In

For the most recent progress chart, click here.