Well, as far as dieting is concerned, mark me down as a bust for the month of December. For the entire month of December I lost a total of about 5 pounds. I was so disappointed with myself. I went to my Physicians WEIGHT LOSS Center weigh-in with a big sullen face. I stepped on the scale. Boom. Right there, I had lost only 4-1/2 pounds. When Brenda, my guiding light said: "You should be proud. At a time of the year when everyone gains weight, the average being 15 pounds! You lost weight."

So now I’m thinking to myself: ‘If I can get her to count the 15 I didn’t gain, then I’ll be at almost 20 pounds.’ She didn’t go for it. Figures.

Interestingly, the small amount of weight loss equated out to a 1/2" reduction in my chest, and a full inch reduction in each of my waist, mid-section (tummy) and hips. To date I have reduced by a total of 19-1/2 inches! (Two belts notches for those of you that follow that sort of thing.)

I have determined one thing about serious dieting. I’m always hungry. For love nor money, I cannot explain it. I eat a full satisfying meal, (really satisfying), yet a few hours later I want to snack. It gets really bad in the evenings, around 8 pm. So, I tell this to Brenda, my voice of reason, and she replies that it's not uncommon. Would I like to try Redux? She asked. I was at a loss for words. I really wanted to do this entire program without help. I looked over at my wife, who looked back with a ‘go on, do it’ kind of smile. And I agreed.

For the second half of this adventure, I will be using Redux, (Dexfenfluramine), to curb my hunger. I have been taking it for three days now, and am finally starting to feel the effects. It was interesting to learn from PWLC that the drug doesn’t take effect immediately; that it needs to build up in your system. That’s pretty wild, I thought.

I had to take an educational class about the drug and the diet program under which it is administered. I learned that Redux promotes the release of serotonin in the brain. It also inhibits reuptake of serotonin by presynaptic neurons, which raises serotonin levels thus relieving the urge to eat. Redux is a neurotransmitter-affecting drug that regulates cravings, (my pitfall.)

Before I could begin taking Redux, PWLC had to do a blood work-up, an EKG, and a body composition analysis. The whole process took 20 minutes. I also had to meet with a physician, which I will do regularly, every two weeks. I will also be visiting the Center for weigh-ins every day for the next two weeks.

I’m kinda looking forward to seeing if Redux does for me all it claims to do. I am truly one of those individuals that believes nothing works right on them. Until I take NyQuil, of course... Zzzzzzzzz.

I wish more of you readers would comment on your experiences, I plan to publish the best letters regarding this column at the end of the program. Let’s hear from you. Thanks!

The epic continues next month.