Weighing in an an issue

This being January, many people start to think about all those things they put off last year. Like losing weight and getting in shape.

So that makes it a good time to talk about how I lost weight and learned to love my clothes.

I’ve lost a lot of weight over the past two years. When people of my age do that, people are wary of asking them about it, for fear they are suffering from some awful disease.

So when people compliment me on my weight loss, they are often couch their comments very carefully. Basically, they say they hope I’m not sick.  And if I’m well, they want to say I look better than I once did.

So, thanks for all those comments. As for how I lost weight, well there is no short cut. It’s basically the two simple rules. 1. Eat less. And 2. Exercise more.

Three years – can it really be that long – ago I joined Weight Watchers in Pickering. They meet in a plaza on Bayly street, and I find it a very supportive group. The weigh-in ladies are very supportive. The meetings are helpful and give you lots of hints about how to cut down on the calories. The most helpful meeting was one where people brought old clothes they no longer wear because they are too big. The woman who made the biggest impact on me brought in a bag with 25 lb. in weights in it. She had lost 25 lbs. Try lifting that bag and you realize just how much she wasn’t carrying around any more.

In all, I’ve lost more than 30 pounds. Imagine carrying 30 pounds of butter around every day. What does that do to your heart? To your knees. To your hips. I feel 10 years younger.

The tough part is keeping off that weight. It’s a constant battle that I fight every day. it’s especially tough over the holidays. But if you’re just starting on the journey I embarked on three years ago, good luck. Remember, it may be a tough slog, but stick with it. It’s worth it in the end.