The saga of weight

Most of my family member's acknowledge that our family tends to put on weight rather easily. We're a "low metabolism" kind of bunch.

During my early years of college, I noticed that I was starting to form a little belly (something that I had long vowed I would not do). Halfway through my freshman year, I started jogging regularly, watched what I ate, and forbid myself to eat anything after 9:00pm. Very quickly, the weight came off and I maintained a healthy weight (for my height) for several years.

During my senior year of college, several months before I began my first full-time pastorate, I decided that I should put on a little weight. I thought that being skinny made me look too young and I wanted to appear older than I was. Before my senior year was through, I had gained much of the weight back.

Shortly after graduation, I got married. Both my wife and I worked, so all of a sudden we had disposable income that was largely spent on fattening dinners at restaurants. Before my first year of ministry was complete, I weighed more than I ever had.

Over the years, I have continued to put on weight and I watched as the first number on the scale went from a "1" to a "2." My doctor has been on my case for a while to lose some of the extra pounds and I have been getting sick of growing needlessly plump.

So, back in January, I decided to lose the weight. I started by jogging, but not watching what I was eating. Then I got the flu which kick-started the change in diet (since I had lost my appetite). Now I have combined both jogging and a better diet. To date, I have lost 14 lbs. I would like to lose a total of 40 lbs, which leaves me just 26 more pounds to go.

As added motivation, two other staff members from PMBC are competing with me to see who can lose 20 lbs. first, and then keep it off for at least 2 weeks. The winner gets a $50 Barnes & Noble gift card.

Cheer me on, I'm almost there.

Tune in tomorrow for a piece I have titled "In search of argyle."