Not a Resolution, but Hopefully Resolute
January 22, 2007 by John in Health-Medical, KevinSmith, ScottAdams
Long ago I gave up New Year’s Resolutions. In fact I’ve kept my last resolution, made a few years ago: Make no more New Years Resolutions. They are inherently self-defeating and doomed to failure. So no grandiose announcements about a major life change or even a minor one. It’s simple.
I have to lose weight. Obviously this has been on my mind lately judging from my post below about lapband surgery.
My 40th birthday is looming large, large enough to eclipse even the rather considerable shadow I cast. Last year I managed to cut way down on my salt intake and fried foods, and virtually eliminate sodas and caffeine. I’ve been drinking 1% milk for years now, and I’ve upped my water intake (especially at work - ice water rather than hot chocolate). Heck, I even stopped putting sugar in my ice tea. Due to those changes my blood pressure is completely normal without medication. Last week, while I didn’t stop my morning (decaf) mocha from the Coffee Shack, I started getting decaf lattes with a shot of sugar-free syrup. Red meat and laziness are my biggest problems these days.
I think Scott Adams was on to something when he posted last year that he thinks obesity is usually found in people who like food more than they like to do other things. People that like to do other things are skinny usually because those other things are often strenuous - bicycling, running, weight-lifting, skiing, etc. Alternatively they can be skinny because they play video games too much and become so engrossed that they forget to eat, thus remaining skinny. I definitely like food way too much. Unfortunately I have a few health issues, besides obesity, that keep me from getting out there and running a marathon, or walking around the block for that matter. Finding exercise that doesn’t create other problems is key and I’m not sure what to do. I may be hijacking the Fenske’s new recumbent exercise bike. Moving on.
Today Kevin Smith posted about his weight problem (copious amounts of profanity behind that link - fair warning). Apparently he is going to post his weight every Monday. I think this is a great idea. His goal weight is 230 pounds, although he neglects to say how much he weighs now or what the deadline is for that goal. Well I can do better than that.
Here’s the deal. This morning, on my shiny new Weight Watchers scale from Costco, I weighed 348.8 lbs. There ya go, kiddies. I keep telling all of you I’m HUGE, but most try and disagree with me.
Now for the goals. I know that rapid weight loss is doomed for failure. I know that gradual changes are best. I thought I read somewhere that losing a pound or three a week is a healthy rate. So that’s my goal. About a pound a week. Fifty pounds a year. At the end of this year I want to weigh 300 lbs. I haven’t weighed that much since 2001. After that it gets hard. By the end of 2008 I want to weight 250 lbs. I haven’t weighed that much since the mid-90s. After that, who knows? If I make it that far you’ll probably be able to knock me over with a feather.
My method is going to be as follows: keep it simple. I tried counting calories last year and didn’t follow through. If I’m going to be successful I have to make small changes that have a chance of lasting. The first part of my method is to watch, but not necessarily count/track, my calorie intake. The second part is to increase activity in general, probably more walking but I also have an awful lot of work to do around the house. The third part is enforcement. I know it’s not good to weigh yourself everyday, or at least that’s the current wisdom. So taking a page from Kevin Smith’s blog post, I’ll post my weight here each Monday along with any thoughts I have on the process or changes that seem to be working. I think all past attempts have failed due to a lack of accountability. I’m hoping that by doing this publicly, though I don’t have a huge readership, I can stick to it. This is one of the most personal things I’ve posted on my this blog. Hopefully the level of discomfort that causes me will also help.
One last thing, all you smart asses - and you know who you are, I expect you to not try and sabotage my efforts, but at the same time, don’t give me any crap if you see me eating contraband. I’m not going to be able to do this if I try to survive on leaves and twigs. You might actually see me eating a candy bar or a cheeseburger. LEAVE IT ALONE. I’ll be watching my total daily calorie intake and adjusting accordingly. If I categorically eliminate anything from my diet I will surely fail. Moderation, not deprivation. One thing you can do is bust my chops if I forget to post my weight on a Monday.
Thank you for your support.