It’s January 2nd and we’re officially two days into the New Year - but banks were closed, my employer was closed and I made an executive decision three days ago that the New Year didn’t officially start until January 3rd.

So, as I sit here waiting for my Chinese food [Mongolian Beef] to be delivered on the last blow out meal before I get “serious”, I thought I would outline where I started, where I’m going, and where I want to be.

I was always a skinny child. Not thin but skinny. I was a tom-boy through and through - who needed hips or boobs? Well, I got ‘em anyhow [although very late] and even still, I weighed 105lbs until I was 19. I’m 5′4 [and a half!].

Then I joined the military, developed a few muscles and increased my weight to 125lb. I was the healthiest I’d ever been and the number didn’t bother me in the least. Being in shape came naturally.

Then came the age of 26. I got married and thus ended the nights of clubbing/dancing in the city, crazy hours for working and hanging with friends, and eating on the run. We stayed in. I cooked [yummy tasting] food. We got a computer. I sat in front of it. A lot. The television too. The spousal and I grew together - emotionally and physically. We grew out of our pants!

Then came the age of 35. I was close to being 100 lbs heavier than I ever would have imagined. One Hundred Pounds. Not ten. Not twenty or even thirty. One Hundred. I ignored it. I said I didn’t care. I said “better to be fat and happy than skinny and sad”.

My brother got married two years ago and when I saw those photos, I was horrified. I was embarrassed. Oh, I looked nice enough in the photo [no spinach appetizer in my teeth, smudged lipstick or disheveled hair] but I saw a total stranger there. Someone who wasn’t very happy.

Soon after I decided I wanted a healthier me. I didn’t want to be winded from walking up the stairs with a basket of laundry. I didn’t want to feel squashed into a seat on an airplane. I wanted “me” back. I knew I had to be realistic. I wouldn’t exercise, I just knew I wouldn’t. So the only other course was to start watching what I stuffed in my face, how I stuffed and when I stuffed it.

It was a lifestyle change that I implemented gradually. I only eat one plate of pasta now, not two. I don’t eat fast food for lunch because it’s easier. I cook fresh food at night instead of buying pre-packaged foods that are three times worse for you. I walk the dogs further than ever before [at least when it's warm] and starting tomorrow, the Bowflex is getting dusted off.

I haven’t actually stopped eating the things I like, I just exercise a little caution and moderation. I still have splurge days, and other days are salad days. I don’t starve myself, but I make myself resist that 2nd bowl of ice cream - unless it’s fat free.

Since April 2005 I’ve lost 67lbs and I’ve gone from a size 22 dress to a 10. Sometimes I have bad weeks. Sometimes I have great ones. Lately, it feels like I’m sorta stuck in a rut because I’ve been losing and gaining 2-3 lbs over the last few weeks. I’ve hit a plateau and I think this is exactly what I need; a new avenue to keep me interested in my own health!

Beginning Pounds2Go: 93 lbs.
Current Pounds2Go: 26 lbs.