PREFACE

What do almost all overweight people have in common? Almost all of us dread hearing the phrase: "When are you going to do something about your weight?" That’s right. Now all you parents, relatives, siblings, spouses and friends know... we HATE when you ask us that. As a matter of fact it just makes it worse. Don’t you think we KNOW we’re overweight? Don’t you think we already feel somewhat like second class citizens because of the pressures today’s society put on us? Has it ever occurred to you that maybe we’re just plain scared to go on "that diet" for the plain and simple fear of failing? If we try to go on a diet, and just can’t do it, then we have the dulling dissatisfaction of knowing that not only are we FAT, but we’re also FAILURES. So every time you ask that dreaded question: "When are you going to do something about your weight?", listen carefully for our silent response of: "when you stop nagging me!" and try saying this instead: "I know it must be hard to deal with being overweight, is there anything I can do as your (mother/friend/spouse) to help you?"

CHAPTER 1

A few months ago, my wife asked me: "I know it must be hard to deal with being overweight, is there anything I can do as your wife to help you?" And for the first time, I really felt like I might be able to do something about my constant (losing) battle with obesity.

First, the decision to embark on this project was not an easy one, and it is based on the truth that I need help to succeed at this task, and my wife and friends are fully supportive. Second, the decision to chronicle it here, with you every month, proved more difficult, and may be somewhat embarrassing. My motivation is to share the experience with people that may finally be considering a weight loss strategy, offer support to others currently on the same path, and seek guidance from those successfully dancing at the other end.

So, on this the first day of October, 1996, I take the first step on a knowingly painful journey.

It is now time for a behavioral change. I use the term "behavioral change" because this concept of "dieting" is not new to me, as a matter of fact, I could probably be considered a professional dieter.

I have been on a medically supervised fast... twice, both successful, for a while. The first fast was in 1991, and I went from 295 to 215 (80 pounds) in just over three months. It was quite amazing. I was never hungry, and I did not waver from that fast once. I kept the weight off for over five months, until a tragic loss in my family threw me into denial and into the refrigerator. The second attempt was a group program in 1994, where I entered a program mid-stream. I never really felt quite like part of the group, and cheated the whole way through. I lost 40 pounds that I gained back in a matter of months, plus a few for good measure. I don’t even want to talk about my failed attempts with appetite suppressants.

This time though, I’m not going for the easy way out. And believe me fasting is undoubtedly the easy way. I am weak, and fasting makes it easy to lose weight and ignore the problem at the same time. Sure they say it takes 21 days to form a new habit, like eating well, but if you’re not eating at all, there’s nothing to learn as a new habit. You come off the fast feeling great, and go right back to your old habits.

Nope. I don’t need another diet. I need to do something about my personal habits. I need to change the way I eat and my attitude towards exercise. For that I need help.

Over the years I have determined, as a "dieting" expert, that the only way to succeed, if you have zero willpower, is to surround yourself with ruthless, diabolical, sadomasochistic people. I have chosen the folks at Woody’s Workout Club and Physician’s Weight Loss Centers. Both of these organizations are undyingly dedicated, something I need to know as fact before I throw myself into their merciless hands. No fat person has the knowledge or the power to take control of their weight problem without help. This is my personal opinion. Expert dieter or not, one look in the mirror usually dispels any argument.

I have decided to retrain myself on how to exercise with the help and guidance of the professional trainers at Woody’s Workout in Harrisburg because for them, exercising IS a way of life, a habit I sorely need to adopt. I will be concentrating on cardio-vascular exercise and circuit training at least three times a week in the beginning. This will give me a balance between exercise that catalyzes weight loss and exercise that helps develop muscle growth.

After numerous phone calls, (remember I’ve been through the "diet center" programs before) I decided to embark on my dietary retraining with the assistance of Physician’s Weight Loss in Camp Hill. I will be on a monitored 1200 calorie a day "real" food diet with protein supplements (which they promise taste good). I have to visit their office every day for the first two weeks (talk about ruthless), write down every single thing I eat (good or bad), and drink eight 8oz. glasses of water a day (diabolical for sure).

I know this is the right thing, and I know it is a good thing, I’m just not sure it’s going to be an easy thing. Bye bye KFC.

NEXT MONTH: I will outline, in detail, my initial visits to Woody’s and to Physician’s Weight Loss. I will describe the consultation process, what was explained to me, and how I felt. In addition, I will chronicle my challenges and (hopefully) my successes for the month of October. Any comments or contributions from folks on this same journey would be greatly appreciated.