My 2009 New Year's Non-Resolution

It's the end of another year and as 2009 approaches many people are thinking about their New Year's resolutions. This year I won't be one of those people.

Last year I made a resolution to lose another 50 lbs with diet and exercise. I joined Weight Watchers 6 months earlier and had already lost 20 lbs. I was walking outdoors for exercise. I was doing well with the exercise part of the resolution until I got sick in April and then got clobbered with allergies that I never had before that kept me indoors until mid-October. I had mastered the Weight Watchers diet portion of my weight loss but the exercise went out the door (literally-the exercise went outdoors but I was indoors). I had nasal congestion and my asthma, which I haven't had a problem with for several years started acting up. I was at Urgent Care and the ER once each because I couldn't breathe and had at least 3 doctor visits during that time. Then came Thanksgiving and Christmas and the diet went out the door too. Somehow, like Oprah, I managed to gain weight back. She gained 40 lbs in a year and I gained 9 of the total 51 lbs I lost.

Most people would be depressed over what they consider a failure. I have chosen the "cup half full" motto. I am glad that I lost 42 lbs.over the last year and a half. I am thrilled that my asthma is under control and the seasonal allergies are gone (at least until spring). I recently joined the Mentor Senior Center which has an exercise room that is comparable to joining a 5 star gym and I can use for free after paying my $7.00/year dues. The Center is air conditioned in the summer so I won't need to be outside walking. They even have Pilate's, aerobics and weight training classes for a very small fee. This may be something I'd be interested in at a later date, but for now the gym is all I'll be doing. I'm already back to the Weight Watchers plan, but I'm doing it without setting an unrealistic 50 pound goal.

No resolutions for me in 2009. I've discovered over the last 18 months that there is no easy method or pill that will make you drop pounds. To me, weight loss and keeping the weight off is a life-long journey. I'm just going to plug along, take the ups and downs with a smile and do my best to get fit and stay healthy.