Congratulations Nibby! Birthdays are special and you have a lot to be congratulated for with your big loss regardless of the special time of the year!

As for New Years -- I am working toward being at my goal by the end of 2004. Along the way, I still have a long battle to win -- I can stay with the "right" foods but still have trouble with quantities. I don't crave the carbs but once started on protein or fat or whatever is in front of me, there is still a huge temptation for which I am rarely immune, to go significantly over the amount I believe is reasonable. Consequently, I have lost slowly and it continues to be a struggle. I can't dare to cheat with sugar or carbs -- who knows where that would lead.