Dissertation 25

I had the most horrible experience the other day. It was a perfectly nice day in Western New York. The weather was sublime. I like to break out the spring/summer clothes whenever the weather cooperates so early in the season.

I donned a sleeveless shirt and was feeling pretty good.

Until I got to work and looked in the bathroom mirror.

I have fat, old woman arms! I was demoralized! Even my elbows had fat!

I wondered how I was able to lose 20 to 25 pounds and then decide to gain it all back time and again. I knew that the stress of last semester (I'm a college professor) allowed me to eat uncontrollably. I knew that finishing my dissertation helped put on the weight.

But all 25 of those hard earned pounds that I had lost? What the hell?!

So I decided the only way to do it is to really make that change and track my progress publically so that I am held accountable for all of my shortcomings and successes.

This begins that journey.

I already know that when I eat well and exercise, I feel like a million bucks. I have crazy energy and even stop craving crap. I just have to remind myself that I am in this for the long haul.

I also get disheartened and encouraged when I see people who take a billion drugs for God knows what ailment. I refuse to be those people. I say disheartened because I am sure they didn't intend to get there either and because I am quite appaled at big pharmaceuticals; encouraged because I recognize early enough, I hope, that I don't need to be among them.

Here's hoping it sticks this time. Keep me honest!

Here are the stats as I know them now:
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 225
Waist: 38.75"
Hips: 44"
Thigh: 25.5"
Bust: 44"
Bicep: 14
Goal Weight: 175 (or so - we may reevaluate as we get closer)
Goal size - much smaller!