January 31 – present,

Down 16 lbs.

I’m proud of myself.

Yesterday was my first day at the gym as part of my fitness plan. I wasn’t sure how my body was going to handle a vigorous work out since the last time I set foot in a gym was back in the summer of 2004. Six years ago I began working out to lose all the weight I had gained in my first year of university – 30 lbs. Thirty pounds of disgusting cafeteria food and me being a sloth for an entire year. I was so out of shape – I believe people refer it as being round, that nothing fit. I was the biggest I had ever been in terms of clothing size and it felt like I was being defeated. This was also the time when I made an impromptu decision to become a vegetarian.

Not eating meat and working out everyday made a world of difference. I was eating very healthy meals and working my butt off at the gym that by the time summer was over and it was time to go back to school, I had lost all the weight I had gained, plus a bit more. The best part about it was that people noticed.

Back to yesterday – I’m not going to lie, I had been putting off working out since May. MAY. And last week, I finally smartened up. Yesterday was a bit challenging and it felt like the fist day at a new school – new gym, new faces, new machines. I tried to not let that bother me and I went at it. Mind you, I cursed at the elliptical machine in my head and I wanted to quit not even half way into my work out, but I didn’t. That’s the old me. The old me always takes the easy way out of a situation, and I can’t keep doing that because I’ll never get anywhere and I’ll never reach my goals.

I have a weight loss goal in my mind (and my BMI and weight loss apps), but it’s going to take a long time and a lot of hard work to get there. I’m finally ready for the challenge. A bit late, but better late than never.

Wednesday, I had a doctor’s appointment with the same specialist I saw six years ago about my stomach problems. My stomach has been acting wonky again with the addition of even more acid reflux that has been interfering with my asthma.

I spoke with the specialist and told him that pretty much anything I eat, I’m in pain. The doctor, who is also a surgeon, said that he wanted me to try going back on some medications I tried a few years ago, keep a food diary, get more of the same test done, and, oh yes, lose weight. He threw that in as a P.S. right before the appointment was over, and even though I knew I was coming, I still got really offended by it. It’s one thing for your family to tell you that you need to lose weight (thanks, mom) but coming from a complete stranger results in a different reaction. I could feel myself tearing up when he said that it wouldn’t hurt to lose 10-20 lbs. but I didn’t start crying. I wanted to storm out of the room and go home, but I decided that wouldn’t be a very mature thing to do.

I think the biggest wake up call was yesterday at my physical appointment. I knew I would have to step on the scale, and I knew that I had gained a lot of weight since the same time last year. Let’s just say that I need to lose more than 20 lbs.

My eating habits need to change, but what can I eat that won’t hurt my stomach or cause any other pain? How can I work out without my asthma and acid reflux getting in the way? Thankfully, Travis found some information for me so I can do just that and it involves using my puffer. How sexy is that!

So here is what I’m going to propose to myself, and you out there in Internet Land. My pre-New Year’s resolution is going to be that I get my butt in gear (literally and figuratively) before everyone starts to begin thinking about their resolutions. I’m planning on starting a month early, December 1, so I can not only see if losing weight is right for me (it is) but if it will benefit my health in the long run (it will.) I think that having a partner like Travis by my side no matter what my decisions are (surgery to correct the problem or staying on medication) is going to help motivate me and keep my goals in site.

Wish me luck, friends!