So here's a pic of me at the December "Employee Appreciation" Party. (If they don't call it a "Christmas party" or "Holiday party," they can use state funds to cater.)

More overweight than ever, I'm taking only a small portion of the sweet potatoes. Carotene, you know.

The next serving tray, which offered brussels sprouts and pureed, whipped celery root (no, really!), was easier to resist.

At any rate, 200 lbs. plus (202-203 lbs.) is more than I have ever weighted in my life, at least as far as I can remember. That's as much as my friend P., who is much taller, and on him it looks good. Me, not so much.

Had a physical in early January:

Routine safety labs (blood counts, sugar, liver, kidneys, etc) are all normal.

Cholesterol is 194, with an HDL (good cholesterol, should be over 40) of 34, and an LDL (bad cholesterol, should be under 130) of 108.

Thyroid is normal.

PSA (for prostate cancer) is 0.5; anything less than 4.0 is normal.

So, healthwise, the only problem is my good cholesterol isn't high enough. What changes

that, I asked? Diet and exercise, the doc said. Figures.

Not getting much exercise. Did cut all wheat from my diet, just to see what would happen. It's the one thing I actually CRAVE and I thought it would be good to tray and break that "addiction." Again.

Am now just under 200, which is a step. Did some yoga the other day which was a good idea but think I tried to loosen up my hips a little more than they were willing to go just yet. But the only routine in my life right now is depression and anxiety. Anxious about money when my assistantship runs out in May, and depressed that I'm not further along with my Ph.D. I sleep more than is good for me.

Let's see if I can get out of this rut, shall we?