Day 1 -- 40 to Go

Forty pounds, that is.

I've gained 40 pounds since 2001 when I went to Germany with Mom. If she knew this, she'd let me know, without mincing words, that I've let myself go and that it's time to do something about it. I hated her and loved her for that directness.

Stress obviously does me in when it comes to eating and weight gain, but I've decided that stress can't be an excuse; it's simply something I need to counteract and deal with pro-actively. It's not like the food just finds its way into my mouth. I put it there -- each and every morsel of it. And I don't feel any better after I devoured it.

So I joined Weight Watchers online -- again. I can't attack all 40 pounds at once; it's just too huge a number. Instead, I need to look at five pound increments. Even that will be tough with this menopausal metabolism, but it won't be impossible. I'm in no hurry and I have no deadline. This time it's about my health, not about looking decent for a reunion or a trip (although I've decided that, when I achieve this, a trip is definitely in order!). My feet and joints have been hurting and I just feel downright old, both physically and emotionally. This is NOT me!

So here I go. I'd love support in all this if you're on the same journey or if you can point me to bloggers who are struggling with the same issues. I can do anything when surrounded by supportive, encouraging people. I learned this thanks to a previous manager who believed in me completely and gave me both the support and the discipline to achieve some great things in my career, and who taught me what it means to be a great manager... but that's another post.

Hey! Did you see that? I said "that's another post"! Maybe this means that I'm back?!