Launch post by JEMcity:
March and beyond…, January 12, 2010
Greetings from Jem!
Okay, so it’s a new year and I can’t help but think about a former co-worker of mine that once complained about how crowded “their” gym became in January because of all the, “New Year’s resolutions,” and how it wouldn’t get back to normal until about March. Well, we have a rather simple saying in our family and it goes like this…”too bad!” Because once again, I’m committing myself to make positive changes: lose weight, eat healthier, get more exercise and basically change the old patterns that have been ingrained in me for the past 52 years.
I’ve been on hundreds of diets and joined Weight Watchers more times than I’d like to admit. I’ve had a weight problem since the second grade (I was thin before I had my tonsils removed at about 8 yrs old and I think maybe I should have kept them; though, I’m sure the medical community would disagree). I’m sure you’ve heard of “yo-yo dieting,” but in my case the yo-yo is just one way… up! Now, at 52 and at the heaviest I’ve ever been in my life, I am literally tired of being overweight (okay “obese” – I hate that word). Luckily I don’t have any major associated medical problems that I know of, but I do have sore knees, a sore back and shortness of breath when I go up stairs. I guess that does qualify as a “big” problem, if not major. Although, I try not to think about it, I don’t do a lot of things I’d like to, because of my weight. If I have to fly somewhere I dread the embarrassment. I don’t do any sports for fear I might injure myself or just look ridiculous. I never wear shorts in the summer, no matter how hot, and wouldn’t dream of putting on a bathing suit. I never wear a dress, or for that matter even get dressed up. I know this sounds pretty depressing and yeah, I guess it is, and I guess I am. So to say its time to change is a huge understatement. It’s long past due, but I have a renewed incentive… my daughter. Seeing her struggle with her weight, and knowing we both need to do this for our health is enough. But, if I need a little more we just welcomed twins into the family – my great niece and nephew. I don’t want to be the “big” great aunt who has limited ability to play and chase after them. I want to be the in-shape, fun and energetic aunt they love to come and visit.
My Personal Revolution:
So my daughter, my sister and I have made a commitment together. We are going to support each other and are trying to think of things that may help us stay on track….this blog is one. We figure accountability is key and we plan to be accountable to each other as well as here.
I need and am committed to losing 90 lbs. If my daughter was brave enough to put her starting weight, I will as well. With difficulty, I confess my starting weight: 287lbs. With 90 lbs to lose, my goal weight is 197lbs. I know that may seem like a weird pick for a goal weight, but I am going with it because psychologically it works for me (not sure why, but will post in a later blog if I figure it out).
As you may have read in my daughter’s posts we are using Jenny Craig and it starts for me this Wednesday (because that’s when my JC food and menu arrive), I am in no way promoting Jenny Craig because I feel it is a means to an end and could be any plan. The reason we chose it was for convenience and an ability to have our menus planned for us with no food prep. I know it doesn’t matter much how you choose to lose, but whether you’re committed to it.
What will be different this time, you might be asking yourself? Well, I guess for one thing I would be extremely embarrassed, after posting my intentions to the world on this blog, to not follow through with this thing until the very end! Though, most of all I want my daughter to be healthy and happy and I want us both to be. I also believe it’s never too late!
Signing off until this Friday’s weigh-in, unless I’m inspired to post sooner,
-JEM
