I thought it would be apt to start off my new blog with a post about goals and new beginnings. How cheesy.
I have decided that this summer I am going to lose twenty pounds. I am not saying this so that people will go, “You don’t need to lose weight! Blah blah blah!” I’m not fishing for compliments or reassurance. I know that I don’t need to lose twenty pounds. According to my doctor, I’m perfectly healthy. In terms of my weight, that is. (The ringing in my ears, rib out of place, toe that’s been sore (broken?) for two years and panic attacks are a different story.) There are a few reasons for my wanting to do this.
- I am vain. I want to be able to wear outfits such as this again.
- I gained weight right around the time my dad got sick. I spent almost every day at the hospital, eating unhealthy cafeteria food. I had other things to worry about besides eating right. I would now like to get rid of those uninvited extra pounds.
- My family has a history of heart disease: my uncle had two heart attacks in his early thirties, my dad had a stroke at 50, my grandma had a stroke and so did my great aunt. That’s on my dad’s side. On my mom’s side there’s a history of cancer (my most feared of all things in the world), and extra weight is a risk factor for that. Pure pragmatism, this one!
- If I lose weight, all my clothes will be too big. This will force me to go out and buy a new wardrobe (of clothes I actually like) without feeling guilty about it.
I’m feeling optimistic about this. I’ve started riding my bike everywhere again, which means at least an hour of cardio every day (1/2 hour to school and 1/2 hour back). My bike is broken again, and will only stay in one gear. It’s one of the lowest, if not the lowest, gears. It makes it feel like I am dragging a wagon of bricks if I even have to go up the slightest incline. I’m thinking about not getting it fixed. I’ll have the nicest ass in Toronto in no time! I’m also doing better at eating healthier food and I’m considering starting one of those stupid food journals where you write down everything you eat. That will prevent me from ever eating almost an entire bag of chips without paying attention – if I see it written down, I will be horrified.
Now i just need to get a bathing suit so I can go swimming at the gym before my membership runs out in a month.
