I HAVE NEVER FAILED AT A DIET

Here’s a fact: I have never failed to succeed on a diet. When I commit to weight loss I exhibit a steely resolve to eschew all foods not included in my current plan – whatever that may be. This past Monday I found that steely resolve again.

My 55^th birthday is coming up, and, frankly, I don’t feel 55. I feel young and vibrant. I want my insides to be reflected in my outside ability. Spending the last 9 months recovering from the most ridiculous back injury in the universe has taught me one thing: if I do only one thing this year it must be lose the weight that is stopping me from being me. It feels awful to me to be incapacitated by my own weight – brought on by repeated poor choices.

I have to say that it is very nice to be fit and at a normal weight. But it is also possible to be fit and healthy at an above average weight. I have been thin exactly twice in my life. Once when I was on a mission to wear a size 8 (on my giant-boned frame), and once – for a long while – when I was teaching aerobics 12 classes per week, working 3 jobs, dancing all weekend, and going to college. Being thin is way too much effort for the life I enjoy. But there is no reason I can’t get to a decent weight and reasonable fitness that allows me to walk long distances, hike our beautiful hills in the Bay Area, ride my bike, dance with my husband, take classes I enjoy, and just generally not feel like crap all day. I’d like to be around for a long while and it’s no secret that movement is critical for longevity.

                So, I started my most recent weight loss campaign on Monday. I am down several pounds and this time I know it isn’t water weight because I drink so much water all the time. This time it is actual poundage. My strategy is to diet off 20-30 pounds so my hips don’t hurt anymore when I am awake or asleep (it’s already improving!). Once I am there I will plan another strategy.

                I feel like I need to protect myself, too. My son, while living at home, is pretty independent and good about making meals. My husband will definitely cook for himself, but I worry about his choices. I am trying to set a good example without taking on the responsibility for his choices. One of the ways I lose focus is to cook for others when I am trying to stick to a plan – I start with tastes of things, then “well, one meal off plan won’t hurt,” and then it’s doughnuts.  So, I let the family know that I have to focus on me. I’ll still shop, but I am less inclined (slightly less) to bring dessert items and snack foods home. I definitely won’t have my trigger foods in the house – sorry Salt & Vinegar chips people…

                Anyway, the plan is to stop hurting and then go from there. Let’s see where I am in a week.