The fact is that I've been losing weight overall and inches from my waist this past month. I'm hesitant to get into specifics as I tend to "fall off the wagon" when I "brag" about this sort of thing. However, it turns out that fat (especially belly fat) stores more than just energy, but also the toxins taken in at the time that it was made. By using that supply, I am also getting hit with captured sugars and toxins from when I gained the weight. This can temporarily cause this strange paradox of eating healthily, exercising, losing weight, and still have more sugar in my blood.
As my weight stabilizes (hopefully at a lower level) so will my sugar levels. Hopefully, we will keep our healthier patterns up ... well ... indefinitely. I just need to be careful about comfort eating as my stress levels go up.