I am taking full responsibility for making a mistake.

Those of you who follow my exploits on MFP have likely recognized that I haven't been around here very much over the past week. In the trial and appellate litigation practice, the period between Halloween and Thanksgiving is as busy for litigators as the first two weeks of April are for tax accountants. That is so because trial judges work hard to empty their dockets in advance of the holiday season. Additionally, on a personal basis, I have spent six out of the past seven evenings/nights working as a volunteer umpire during the local little league's fall fundraising tournament. While that experience has been fun, rewarding, and decent exercise, it has also taken me out of my (past three months) routine of power walking for approximately an hour a day six or so days per week.

As a result of the confluence of a busy work schedule and busy community volunteer schedule, I have failed to plan my eating as well as I should have over the past week. I have not met my personal exercise goals for calories burned for the past week. The result has been that I have gained back one pound over the past week.

I am not writing this to publicly flagellate or humiliate myself.

I am not writing this to explain why I am throwning in the towel.

Instead, I write this to take personal responsibility for failing to plan as well as I should have in order to continue my relatively dramatic weight loss over the past week.

I write this to acknowledge that while I have failed to maintain my pace of weight loss over the past several days, I continue to succeed in my overall goal of regaining my health and fitness.

I write this to acknowledge that if one is driving from coast-to-coast, and has a flat tire in Kansas, you don't shoot out the other three tires and sit by the side of the road. You put on your big boy underwear (or big girl panties, as appropriate), slap on your spare tire, and keep driving.

I write this to reaffirm my dedication to regular exercise and to eat a greater percentage of my food intake as less processed, whole foods.

I write this to acknowledge that while I may not reach my goal until several days later than planned, I--- WILL--- REACH---- MY--- GOAL. Period. End of discussion.

And now, if you will excuse me, I have a honeycrisp apple to eat (as a means of diminishing my pre-dinner hunger), 40 ounces of water to consume, and an hour or so walk to enjoy.

I hope that each of you decides to love you as much as I finally love me. Have a beautiful rest of your Monday.

Scott R. in Houston, Tx.