Yes, this picture is a selfie I took last week, of me wearing my high school letter sweater, circa 1972. And yes, you’ve already seen it if you read my last blog post, which I happened to end with that very same photo.

Today, though, I’m reflecting on a different aspect of its significance. Last time I was talking about how the class of ’72 is all turning 60 years old this year. Today I’m talking about weight maintenance.

I have often joked that throughout my entire adult life I’ve been able to wear the earrings I wore in high school. But as you can see, today I can also wear the same clothes I wore 42 years ago, and if I choose, go out in public in them.

In this picture, I actually weigh what my driver’s license says I do. The coffee cup that’s held my toothbrush and paste for the past three decades has a joke on it that is now a statement of fact, and I couldn’t be happier about it. Or more surprised!

Over the past 42 years, I’ve always been very good at gaining weight, and occasionally very good at losing weight, but not so hot at being able to maintain my goal weight. As it turns out, weight maintenance is not for sissies; it’s a lot of freakin’ work!

But here we are, entering the fifth month of 2014, and I’ve been able to manage my weight for the previous four months. Four months down, and 40 years to go.