Weight Problems

This post by Rosemary at Dean's World has inspired me to post about something that I've wanted to talk about, but didn't for a variety of reasons.

Okay, here's the deal -- I'm overweight. But I'm trying to do something about it. I've been following the Weight Watchers program since July. I've lost 25.5 pounds so far. I still need to lose more, but I'm already feeling and looking better. You see, heart disease, cancer and diabetes run in my family. And I'm already on Lipitor for high cholesterol. I'm losing weight mainly for health reasons, although I won't deny that I want to look better as well. I don't want to be boney and anorexic looking...I just want to maintain a healthy weight.

I haven't mentioned this before because I consider this a rather personal subject. My weight has gone up and down my entire adult life. (I was a skinny kid.) I have dieted and exercised and lost lots of weight before, but it has a way of coming back...and you ignore it. Think of the old "frog in a pot of boiling water" analogy. I'm hoping that this time, I will stay vigilant and keep the weight off. I don't want to go through this again.

I'm not really an overeater, but I have a weakness for rich, fatty foods (sweets especially). I tend to favor meats and starches over fruits and vegetables. And I hate exercise. However, I'm learning to eat more healthy foods, while trying to find less fatty, sugary ways to fulfill my cravings. I'm drinking much more water, which is very important when losing weight. When I do eat the more fattening foods, I control the portions. I still don't exercise that much, so I need to work on that. My own preferences and habits, my own likes and dislikes, my own choices, caused me to gain weight. Having crappy metabolism doesn't help the situation. If I had a better metabolism, then perhaps I could get away with eating sweets and fried foods and not exercising. But I can't, unfortunately.

As far as how the society treats overweight people, yes, people do look down on those who are overweight. I'm ashamed to admit that I've even done it when I was thin. I would get prideful and arrogant and think, "Well, I did something about my weight, why can't she?" After gaining the weight back, I would think back on this attitude with shame. I felt that God was punishing me for my arrogance. Pride truly is one of the greatest sins.

I started going to Weight Watchers because several of my Internet friends tried it and they were very successful. I had lost weight by myself before, but I just couldn't do it by myself this time. I couldn't maintain the motivation and I would get discouraged and backslide. Going for a weigh-in every week and talking with people who are going through the same thing helps me to stay motivated.

So, that's my story. Now that I've "outed" myself, I will occasionally post on my progress. One thing I know for sure -- I'm determined to get to a healthy weight, and I ain't going back!