Hi Crimson,
I started the Sunday after Thanksgiving (just two days after you!) and also made it through the rest of the holidays without a problem. It was my birthday earlier this week and I just told my coach tonight that I had a bar instead of cake, as it was the only chocolate I would allow myself.
I'm glad to hear that you're having other positive effects, like the loss of your joint pain! That is fantastic! I keep hoping that at some point I will get the jolt of energy that others seem to experience, but for now, I am thrilled that I am able to keep losing! I have never had so much success on a program and now each time I lose, I get to celebrate because I am at the lowest weight I've ever been in my adult life. That feels pretty amazing every time