'fat camp'

I am joining a 'fat camp' at the gym by the end of the year... so, what does that entail?
well, its called the Biggest Loser after the TV show, but sorta makes me feel like a loser too... cause this is about the 3rd time I've tried more 'drastic' measures to get in gear. I have to do it though... I just talked today to one of my former coworkers and he told me he had a stroke! What?! he's only in his early fifties maybe? so, that was Oct and he's lost 26 lbs since then.. I know this is what i have to look forward to unless i take action. No other motivation should be as strong.

OKAY.. so last year was a BUST.. Nothing doing.. I think i am about 2 lbs lighter.. but a few good things are that my cholesterol is down 15 pts- thanks to eating oatmeal everyday for breakfast and I actually managed to get out of bed at 6:30am several times in the past month to get to the gym. I know, pretty sad, but there is something to be said for 'baby steps'. I am most thankful though as always for my lovely and wonderful husband, Steve. He cares about me and for me in ways I'll never understand, but for which I am eternally grateful.

Progress report #1

The reason for starting this blog was for me to have a spot to keep track of what I am actually doing to make progress in my efforts to create a healthier life. At my highest weight of 240 lbs and 5 ft 5 inches, I am/was considered morbidly obese.

As of today, February 16, I have lost 7 pounds since my last dr appt with a weigh in at 233. Of course, I am still on all the medications, etc, but I feel like I have really turned a corner w/ my eating habits. I got a jumpstart by being sick for a week and then started reading the Ominvore's Dilemma- which plays right into all my previous beliefs about the industrial food agribusiness in our country.

I've set some goals for myself for this year to lose weight as well as to eat healthier and become a better cook.
My immediate goals are to sign up for a summer CSA and to be under 230 by the end of February.
My mid-term goal would be to be in 'onederland' by the end of June.
For trip to Ireland in September, I want to be out of the Obese category- that means I need to be 179 lbs by September 14.

This means I have 7 months to lose 54 lbs.

tip o the iceberg

Jan 21- Dr Appt #240
headaches even on medication
high blood pressure (130ish over 80ish)
high cholesterol (over 240)
tired all the time
constant indigestion- take prilosec OTC