I’ve casually mentioned that I’ve lost weight this year but I haven’t really talked about it in any detail. I don’t really use a scale, but I would estimate I’ve lost between 15 and 20 pounds and I’m thrilled. Don was amazed at the change and others have remarked on it, as well.

How did I lose the weight?

I cut out sugar and sweets.

Everyone’s weight battle is different, of course, but for me, sweets were my downfall. I have an enormous sweet tooth. I love to bake. And if I am bored, or tired, or stressed – out come the cookies and cupcakes and pie and cakes. And before I know it, I’ve added on the pounds. (My diet in all other areas is pretty healthy. I’m a vegetarian. I eat a lot of vegetables and natural foods.)

I am 5 feet 9 inches tall and I used to weigh about 125. Then when I moved into my forties, I seemed to hover around 130-135. Fifties? Forget it. My metabolism changed, my body became curvier and less angular, I gained weight in the hips and midsection.

I still felt like a thin person inside, but the mirror told me another story. So this winter, I cut out all sweets. One exception: my hot chocolate. But that was it. I was rigorous about it and I’m happy to say, I still am. I allowed myself a cupcake once or twice, but it was no big deal because I immediately went back to my regimen.

Cutting out sugar and sweets is the smartest move I’ve made. And after a week or two, I didn’t even miss them. I replaced them with natural sweets like apples, oranges, peaches, and grapes. Sometimes when I had an urge for sweets, I would grab some raisins, take my time chewing them and before I knew it, the urge was gone.

I got through the hard and lonely winter without breaking my diet. I got through my mom’s passing without breaking the diet. Was it tempting? Yes. But I like the way I look now and I’m hoping to lose another ten pounds.

Now I want to be more fit. However, I hate to exercise. Truly. I have absolutely no discipline where that is concerned.

I do love to walk, however. This past winter made it almost impossible to walk – the ice was too treacherous, there was always a lot of snow on the ground. But now that Spring is here, Don and I have begun hiking. Both of us really want to be more fit than we are. Mowing the lawn helps. Gardening helps. The more active lifestyle that Spring and Summer bring makes a difference.

So yesterday we took another hike. This time we made it around the whole loop – 5 miles. We really pushed ourselves and it was worth it.

How about some more photos from the glorious hiking path up in the mountains? (Taken with my iPhone.)

Gorgeous rock formations are everywhere.

A black snake napping in the sun.

View of the cliffs above us.

This photo and the next one are a bit indistinct, but I had to capture this bird of prey that was in one of the trees on our path. Right after I took this, he flew off, followed by another bird who swooped down over the path, flying right above it for several hundred feet.

Can you see him flying over the path? Check out that wingspan! Amazing. I can’t believe I managed to catch this shot.

What a view!

Those are the Catskill Mountains off in the distance.

Two young women were hiking ahead of us. We lost track of them until we rounded a bend and saw them stopped at the edge of the trail, looking off to the right. They had their cameras out.

This is what they were looking at, down in a little valley below.

This is the best closeup I could get with the iPhone. A Black Bear! He/She was resting and was definitely aware of us, but we were far enough away that we were not considered a threat. I wish I had taken my big girl camera with me! This was a large adult black bear. Beautiful.

A giant bird of prey swooping down over the path ahead of us and flying out over the mountains. A black snake enjoying the sun. And a very large Black Bear. All in all, an amazing hike!

We high-fived each other at the end of the hike and then took the obligatory self-portrait. (I’m not a fan of the term “Selfie.”)

We’ll be doing this again. It’s glorious up there, the scenery is stunning, and the exercise is good for us.

I vow to stay with this diet. I like being thinner. I have more energy. I feel better about myself.

I’ll be back tomorrow with another Evolution of the Dollhouse post.

Sending my prayers to all those in harm’s way in San Diego .

Happy Thursday.