OK, see the bright-colored blob among all the pretty people, the one second from the right in -- what was I thinking -- horizontal stripes? Yeah, that's me at 255 pounds.
"115"
That's what I texted Dad this afternoon while parked at a red light on 71st Street, followed by "Degrees," just in case he had no clue that I was referring to the temperature.
"Get out!!!"
"Tomorrow, 117" -- or so I had heard earlier.
He warned me to stay hydrated, then followed with, "BTW, have you begun the 'D' activity?"
Dad was referring to my new diet -- not some month-long, six-month-long, however-long crash variety of diet just to slim down for an event, after which I'd celebrate by gaining it all back. I mean diet in the true, basic sense of the word -- a lifestyle change that permanently incorporates healthy eating and frequent exercise.
No Atkins, no South Beach, no maple syrup-chicken soup or similar crazy kinda diet. Just simple common sense eating.
"Started today," I texted back -- and did so with four co-workers and two mutual friends, who requested to remain nameless. We're each putting $25 in a pool, with the winner -- whoever meets or comes closest to his or her weight-loss goal -- collecting the pool on Oct. 31, after our final weigh-in.
My goal is 35 pounds, which seems sensible -- 10 pounds a month, plus an extra five pounds because I've always lost between 5 and 10 pounds the first week of a long-term diet, at least after reaching a certain heft.
And those of y'all who have seen me lately KNOW I have achieved heft -- heft to the tune of 255 pounds. That just ain't right. So when I'm done with this stage on Halloween, I'll set another health goal through the holidays, then one through 2013 -- "lucky '13," as I've been calling it to myself. Maybe it'll catch on.
Last week, while visiting my parents, they told me about a 33-year-old friend of theirs who had a heart attack and died. A few days ago, someone I know who's my age had a heart attack. Thankfully, he's home and resting.
Considering (1) my family history of heart disease, (2) the fact I've been pretty sedentary since the Route 66 Marathon in November 2010 and (3) my 30+ BMI score qualifying me as officially obese, I'm a walking potential heart attack.
Typical vain reasons for dieting aside, I want to eat healthier and exercise and lose weight so I don't die. Period. If I can fit back in the clothes I wore in 2009 and 2010, wonderful (although I'd prefer some new stuff). My primary concern, however, is living better and, more plainly put, not feeling like crap every dang day.
So wish me luck, if you don't mind, and keep your fingers crossed and candles lit that I retain my sanity in this difficult first few weeks of changing my eating habits. Might want to avoid me in public in case I'm experiencing soda withdrawal -- most definitely if it's 115 degrees.
Peace, love and not dying ... XOXO
