Battle of the Bulge

I came by it honestly-yummy cookies, chocolates, sweet drinks, and a desk job that promoted sitting rather than the active lifestyle I had for many years. Age has done its part as well; as my aunt commented one day, it seems that when one is past 50 ones tush migrates around to the front, resulting in a flat behind and rounded tummy. All of this being true, I’ve spent several years avoiding the mirror. Easy enough to do when one leaves home before daylight, gets back after dark, falling into bed exhausted.

But the moment of truth has come: I am a whole five feet tall, and I weight over 160 pounds. In the last ten years, I have gained ten trouser sizes-one per year on the average. If this trend continues, I am going to need small tents instead of clothing. Furthermore, the weight slows me down, makes me feel tired and short of breath. I grew up in a drafty old house in the Midwest, heated with a fireplace and a wood cooking range; my lungs aren’t any too good at best. Padding them around with excess fat isn’t helping matters. Vanity may keep me away from the mirror, but having to purchase a new wardrobe periodically and struggling to breath after physical exertion tends become a stern reality check.

There are a lot of books, articles on the internet, magazines abound with advice on how to lose weight and keep it off. I’ve tried a few-I even lost a few pounds over the summer when I had time to take care of myself. But winter brings work-time again, and stress; holidays bring a plethora of yummy sweets, rich food, and a limited opportunities for physical activity.

Here’s the plan: (Whether I stick to it or not, well that may be another story. We shall see.)

1. Put my grocery budget on a diet. With all of the increased expenses over the last year, I really can’t afford empty calories, so planning nutritious meals of reasonable size and portions with be a priority.
2. Eat meals instead of snacking
3. Make my snacks that I do allow myself count as part of basic nutrition
4. Try to get more sleep. I usually get six hours a night-I’m going to try to move up to eight.
5. Give my house a thorough top to bottom scrub
6. Clear a fun exercise area, and get out the yoga and Tai Chi tapes I purchased several years ago. Maybe I can actually complete memorizing the Long Form.
7. Look for some good dance music; I may look stupid doing it, but here in my own home, no one is going to see me
8. Try to regain the ability to jump up and down (for real, not old lady hops), and get a jump rope. And use it.
9. Clear up my yard. Lot of leaves out there to rake.
10. Focus on doing fun things like arts and crafts that do not involve creating or eating food

I plan to measure my progress with a tape measure, rather than a set of scales, and to space the bench-mark measurements over a set period of time-measuring in months because the weight needs to come off slowly and steadily, just as it went on.