If I drew a graph representing my mood, you’d see a steep climb during the first… two months or so maybe? Since then, there’s definitely been a leveling off. On the whole though, I’m still feeling better today than I was two months in. And I hope to feel a little better when my one-year mark rolls around than I do today.

I think at first, you’re just so frickin’ thankful and happy not to wake up feeling like garbage. That return to a healthy lifestyle itself can feel like a high. Then, that becomes your new normal. You still have bills to pay. You still have to work. You still have responsibilities. Life goes on.

I wish I could say something so you could have that pink cloud back, but it’s just part of the recovery process as I understand it. What keeps me motivated is a combination of carrot and stick. Carrot, I feel good overall. I’m a healthy weight. I’m a better husband to my wife. Better parent to my animals. I desperately don’t want to stop being those things.

IWNDWYT.