The 30-day Challenge

So today was the day. I've steadily put on weight since I graduated high school, but no one has ever said, "You need to lose weigh." Pretty impressive, considering that I'm almost 2 1/2 clicks on the scale. I suppose that because I've never FELT out of place or fat or shunned or anything like that from those whom I've encountered, I always thought my problems with my weight were solely mine. I could rationalize that it's all in my head and that would be fine. As long as people were still impressed with my personality and could get past the big ga-dunk-gadunk behind that followed me, I was cool.

But today was the day. Someone, who I barely know, asked why I'm overweight. I realized a lot of things with that answer...none of which are comfortable. Being 5'2 and a size 18/20 is NOT a good thing. I realized that I have failed at losing weight not because I'm lazy or dirty or anything like that. I have failed at losing weight because it's not something I can do alone.

It's a hard realization for me. In every other aspect of my life, I am completely comfortable with self-accountability. Not here, though. There hasn't been anyone to help me, really. To tell me what it is that I need to do and CHALLENGE me to do it.

She did. She gave me 4 things that I said I "Can" do...not want to do. There is a difference. And she challenged me to do these things every day for 30 days. I would see a difference. No folks, this isn't acai berries or chromium picolinate or whatever the latest diet is. Nope, this is common sense stuff: 1) drink 4 glasses of water a day (she's easing me into it) 2) reduce portions 3) walk 15 minutes a day 4) eliminate 1 bad food from your eating habits.

So, the gauntlet has been tossed. This blog will be a daily record of my challenges and successes. I've spent 20 years putting the weight on. It won't be easy, but I'm ready.