Happy New Year! I hope 2022 has gotten off to a great start for you and that, like me, you have remained covid-free. January began for me with a lovely 4 star review for The Buddha’s Bone posted on New Year’s Day, which made my day. Always what an author wants to hear. I’m into double figures with my Goodreads and Amazon reviews now. That may not be much to some authors, but it’s cause for celebration for me.
Managing sugar addiction through ketosis
During the winter break I indulged somewhat, eating all the chocolates that I had received as Christmas presents. Needless to say, I’ve gained 18lbs/8kg. It’s my own fault I know, feeding my sugar addiction. If you’ve read any of my previous posts on sugar addiction and my keto journey, you’ll know I struggle with trying to manage this. Manage being the key word; my addiction will always be there. Acceptance is the first step to managing addiction and I know my limitations. I’m now back on keto, the lifestyle that suits me best and makes my body feel at its optimum, both physically and mentally. Being in ketosis completely eradicates my cravings for carbs and helps me manage my sugar addiction. I started keto again for the 4th time in 2 years on December 27th, and I’ve adjusted to ketosis very well by intermittent fasting and going strictly under 30grams of carbs a day. My goal is not so much a weight-loss target as it is a desire to gain control of my sugar addiction, though I’d be a liar if I said I didn’t want my weight to yo-yo as much as it has; in the middle of 2021 I lost 14lbs then gained 18lbs back by the end of 2021. Lack of a steady, consistent weight surely isn’t good for my body and that is my focus – to try and achieve control of my health.
Read all my other posts on my keto journey and struggles with sugar addiction here.
Pregnancy or a paunch? It’s personal!
On a related, but slightly tangential note, an acquaintance who I hadn’t seen since before the winter break asked me, out of the blue, whether I am pregnant. Since she glanced at my stomach, I can only assume that my weight gain over the past few weeks is obvious. What I don’t understand is why, why, WHY someone would ask another person they don’t know very well such a question? I am of the opinion that even if a person is very clearly 9 months pregnant, the etiquette is, you simply don’t ask unless they bring it up. In my case, my ‘pregnant’ stomach is simply visual evidence of my struggle to control my sugar addiction – and even if it wasn’t, why should someone make unwanted remarks about another person’s physical appearance? I personally don’t get it. What do you think?
Literary goals for 2022
Onto a positive topic now! I’m starting this year by reading through the printed final draft of my forthcoming novel. I printed this using Lulu back at the start of December, but didn’t get any work done on it over the winter break as I was spending some quality down-time with my family. It’s going well so far; I’ve only found a few typos and no continuity errors and considering I’m halfway through, that’s not bad going. My plan is to get this to my editors by spring time, send it to my beta readers by early summer, have it ready for ARC reviewers by the end of summer with a plan to publish in October 2022. Since it’s psychological fiction/ supernatural horror, a release date in time for Halloween will be appropriate.
That’s all from me for now. If you’re the type who sets new year’s resolutions, then I hope they’re working out for you, even if you’re simply taking it day by day as I am.
Leilanie Stewart 
Thank you for sharing!