Beech Tree News Network

Today I got on the scales and weighed 241 pounds ... and that's without my gallbladder, which I had removed in November.  After the traumatic experience of weighing, I needed to go to church to confess and repent of gluttony.  That's simply too much weight for me to be packing around.  I'm not 6'4."  So, I've decided, once and for all, to finally do something about it.  Yeah, I've gone on diets before and have lost weight at times but I've never really been committed to it.  Now, I am.  So, on January 15, 2012, (the Second Sunday of Ordinary Time, according to the church calendar) I hereby declare my independence from being fat.  Now comes the hard work, just like it did for the original New England Patriots in 1776.  To declare is one thing; to do is quite another.

My battles will be many and I've decided to include BTN readers in the process.  I'm taking a different approach than some take when trying to lose weight - I'm going public with this endeavor to raise, my own level of accountability and perhaps help others who are struggling with weight.  I may even take a photo of myself with nothing on but a Speedo and post it on Facebook (just kidding)!  My columns will provide updates, accomplishments and setbacks, and will chronicle my actual weight - good or bad.  My plan is to not really go on a diet - that's typically counterproductive.  Losing weight is about a lifestyle change, about replacing bad eating habits with good ones, exercising judgment and discipline - something I've done a poor job with thus far in this area of my life.  Exercise?  Yes, that important but you cannot exercise yourself thin. In many ways it boils down to a math problem.  When you expend more calories than what you take in, you will lose weight. 

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, in a recent interview with Oprah Winfrey, talked candidly about his many struggles with weight.  Several things grabbed my attention during this interview.  Christie stated emphatically that he didn't want (i.e consciously choose) to be fat and explained how this had impacted his self-esteem.  He talked about how he wants to be around for his children and how the health dangers associate with obesity could potentially threaten that.  I can relate to that line of thinking.  Christie further addressed the stereotype of overweight people as somehow being lazy, unmotivated, and undisciplined.  The governor, who is anything but the aforementioned description, indicated that this characterization was hurtful and untrue.  Though not a man with Mr. Christie's professional pedigree, I, too, do not accept the premise that I am lazy, unmotivated, and undisciplined.  This got me to thinking and, in part, prompted me to action.

For my part, I'm tired of tight clothes and unflattering photos of myself; tired of not being in as good physical shape as I should be at this point in my life; and simply tired.  So, with gritty determination, much prayer, and a positive attitude, I've set for myself the following weight-loss goals:

Current weight - January 15:  241 pounds

March 1:  229 pounds (less 12)

April 1:  219 pounds (less 10)

May 1:  212 pounds (less 7)

June 1:  205 pounds (less 7)

July 4:  199 pounds (less 6)

This plans calls for a total loss of 42 pounds between now and July 4 - Independence Day! So long to the 200-pould club!

A good friend of mine once told me that nothing tastes as good as skinny feels!  I'm looking forward to finding out.  Pray for me.

Please share with me your thoughts, ideas, suggestions, comments, or criticisms.  I need all the help I can get.  

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John Embry is the author of Out on a Limb.  He is the co-founder and vice-president of Beech Tree Media (www.beechtreenews.com and Beech Tree 1570 AM WLBQ).  John teaches American History (8th Grade) at Butler County Middle School and is the head softball coach at BCHS and BCMS.  He is married to Beth and they have one daughter, four-year-old Isabella Faye.  They live in Aberdeen - site of the original "beech tree." He can be reached at [email protected].