I am completely shocked

I came back from my Vegas vacation today and knew I had my weekly Optifast group tonight.  I was  just hoping that maybe I lost a pound or two, especially given the fact that vacations throw you off your normal pattern.  Imagine how incredibly shocked I was when I got on the scale at the Kaiser clinic I discovered I lost 8 pounds.  Say what?  I was in such disbelief, in fact, that I got right back on.  I mean, good Lord, I was wearing heavy white jeans since it's so cold in our classroom and it still said what it did.  That means I am down 156.5 pounds right now, after 24 weeks.  I'm just going to say this (and I'm sorry if it's offensive), but holy shit!! 

Then I thought back to just this past few days in Vegas.  When my family was at a buffet, I was in the fitness center working out.  When they had a big spread my brother's house last night, I left them early to go work out again at the fitness center so that I could take a bath and get to bed early to prepare for the 5-hour drive home today.  I needed to take care of myself and that's what I chose to do.  My brother told me he is proud of me and actually took my picture.  Can I tell you - that's not something he does.  He is always so aloof, although a great big brother, but for him to show me how much he cared was touching.  So, I am going to get over my shock and realize I do put in the work and I am going to appreciate every single pound no longer on my body.  Thank you, God, for this ... from the bottom of my most grateful heart.