Now that the close of the January Kickstarter DietBets that I have entered is only hours away, I proudly pulled out my entering photos, expecting to see a difference -- proof that my weight loss mattered. At first, I was disappointed. Frankly, I don't see a big difference (well, much of any difference!).

Then I remembered that I've been at this for a while. It certainly took me much longer than 4 weeks to gain this weight -- and losing it has taken me quite a while too. I have taken the baby steps approach -- first giving up a Southern staple, sweet tea; then, swapping milk in my coffee for sugarfree cocoa; and this year committing to 30 minutes a day of intentional movement (based on an annual challenge from John Bingham, the "Penguin" of Runners World fame).

Those little changes add up -- as evidenced by these photos.