January 2000

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since January 5, 2000.

All-time high weight: 256.4 lb Current weight: 227.4lb Goal weight: 119 lb

January 23, 2000

There was an interesting program on 48 Hours this week about weight loss. They followed three women who had gastrointestinal bypass surgery and one who was taking Xenical. All four lost weight, at least during the time they were being followed for the program. I still don't understand what is different from those options and just from eating a low fat diet -- they are still having to count fat and exercise. It's just that if they cheat they experience physical consequences (and I have enough diarhea already, thank you).

The upsetting part of the program was a report on children who were part of a weight-loss program. None of the children were what I would consider obese, and most of them were just "big kids," not really fat at all. One father was quoted as saying, "It's hard to be proud of a fat kid." That comment made me yell at the television. My son, who was watching the program with me, and I decided that it is ok to teach children about good nutrition and improving their eating habits, and it is definitely ok to encourage them to exercise more and sit around watching tv and playing videogames less, but it is NOT ok to put them on a "diet." I read about a study (unrelated to the television program) that said that girls that had dieted as teens ended up as adults weighing an average of 30 lbs more than their counterparts who hadn't dieted. So putting children on a diet may be counterproductive anyway.

BTW, I made great snow cream one day last week: blendered 1 banana, 1/4 c. milk, 1 t. vanilla, and 1/2 packet sweet 'n low, then mixed in snow until it was the consistency of ice cream. Only three points (because I used whole milk) and it was delicious.

I'll be disappointed if there isn't a good result on the scale on Saturday. I know I shouldn't be so dependent on the scale but it's hard to shake that habit. I did notice the skirt I wore today is rather loose. It is so warm today that I wore a fall outfit I haven't had on for awhile. I am determined to take up or discard clothing as it gets too large. I think that's one of the reasons I've had trouble keeping weight off in the past. I've had plenty of larger clothes to inch right back into. I wish I had time to go visit my mother now for some assistance with alterations. I can't afford to throw everything out as it gets too large.

A member of the Charlotte Hornets was killed in a car crash yesterday, drag racing after practice. I guess I should add an instruction to my January 7 entry -- don't be stupid. Please, don't be stupid.

Weight Watchers has a new campaign focusing on losing 10% of your body weight. Actually, if I hadn't gone the wrong direction I would have met the first mini-goal already. Hopefully I'll be there next week. They say it should take about 12 weeks to lose 10%, which is the pace I've been losing at since I started at the beginning of October. At that rate, I'll be at 153 by the end of the year. I'd hoped to be DONE by the end of the year, but 153 is a lot lower than I've weighed for a long time.

Many years have passed and the candlelight vigils have faded to a flicker in my memory. I have talked to my son in vague terms about drinking and driving, but I lost my passion for the subject. The number of alcohol-related crashes and deaths has declined, and I have been able to push the whole issue into the back of my mind.

Thank God I'm not writing today because I've experienced some new trauma in this area. I can still hold my loved ones, I can still tell them everyday how much I love them. Many people in the world, in the United States, in North Carolina, in Durham, even in my neighborhood, will not be so lucky.

My renewed passion for this subject comes from viewing a presentation by a group of volunteer emergency room nurses yesterday on the subject of drinking and driving. They talked about carelessness, inexperience, speeding, going without a seatbelt, and all the other things that can turn you into a statistic. The numbers may be improving, but there are still deaths and horrible injuries due every day to drinking and driving.

The presentation was extremely graphic and so painful I had to look away several times. All of us in the room were parents of teenagers, and we all know our teenagers have done stupid things. Maybe not those stupid things, but stupid things. I resolved to talk more to my son about what to do when he thought he was the driver or passenger of a vehicle that was not being operated safely. I also resolved not to turn on my car until everyone, including me, is wearing a properly buckled belt. It can happen anywhere, anytime, even a few blocks from my house.

One thing that worries me is that I think my son agrees on the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol, but I don't think he realizes marijuana has the same effect. I need to find some clear, reputable statistics to show him how serious this is.

I was so upset by this presentation I decided to devote some space to it on my page today. We are so worried about losing weight, but there are many things worse than being fat. Today, don't drink and drive, don't forget your selt belt, don't exceed speed limits, or drive carelessly. Today, most of all, tell someone you love them. Tomorrow may be too late.

January 5, 2000

I skipped WW last week. I was all screwed up by the holiday. Not only did I eat too much, but my regular meeting is on Saturday so it was cancelled on Christmas and New Year's days. I think I gained about two pounds, but my scale at home is so out of balance, I'm not sure.

My personal life continues to interfere with my dieting success. My son is still in high school as of today, but I have no idea what the future will hold for him. I am in the midst of planning for a major conference for which I am responsible. It is hard to stay focused. I need to get back in the rhythm of drinking water, exercising regularly, and not eating sweets. I can be successful in 2000 if I keep at it!

Email: rwelfare@mindspring.com

Copyright (c) 2000, Rhonda M. Welfare
Revised -- 1/13/00
URL: http://geocities.datacellar.net/HotSprings/Spa/2171