My Anniversary

Happy Anniversary to me! It’s been one year today that I began the Michael Thurmond 6 Week Body Makeover. I’m 45lbs less than I was a year ago at this time. My blood pressure has gone down. I joined a gym in February and that’s been the best $30 monthly investment. I’ve upped my vitamin and water intake, much to the pleasure of my cardiologist. My wardrobe choices have expanded while my waistline hasn’t.

I got out of bed that first morning, prepared to take on the day. Like an NFL player preparing to take the field, I tackled my first breakfast with determination. I was going to be healthy! I was going to shed this weight! I was going to be hungry the entire time. So didn’t see that coming.

The first week of my new plan was awful after that initial burst of resolve. There was no talk in the Thurmond books about side effects.  By getting rid of the unhealthy items I’d been consuming, my body was flushing things out and I was left feeling lethargic, with flu-like symptoms. My auntie Candi, who was also following the meal plan, had the same problem. I truly thought I was getting sick so I sent myself home that day from work. The headaches and achiness lasted about three days. The hunger felt like it was never satiated. That’s what happens when you stretch your stomach to accommodate large portions of food. By Friday I stood in my friend Jennifer’s office practically in tears because I felt so out of sorts. Did I mention Jennifer’s the owner of a great little baking business called Southern Flour? I was a member of her test group for new recipes. Oh how I coveted that position. Oh how I yearned for a metabolism to keep pace with my gluttony.

I’ve no clue what drug addiction feels like but I couldn’t stop thinking about sugar. I’d have dreams about ice cream sundaes which I don’t care for. I found myself talking back to television commercials, especially Papa John’s because their pizza was my heroin. Cookies and cupcakes from Southern Flour were in the back of my mind. Fortunately for me, Jennifer was supportive, told me she was so proud of me and never once offered me any of her yummy treats.

Reflecting on that first week now makes me smile. The first weekend without fried foods wasn’t pleasant. Who wants grilled tilapia and steamed broccoli when its football season and nachos are available? I was such a hermit that first week, indeed that first month. I needed to learn new habits, stop the vicious cycle of eating for comfort, to alleviate boredom. That first weekend I cleaned like a meth addict on a binge. I was up early, the shaking had stopped but I still couldn’t have coffee. Ok coffee was ok but no dairy products allowed at first. I hate the flavor of black coffee so I was drinking all sorts of teas. One more cup of steaming Early Grey and I was going to start talking like a Harry Potter character.

But then day six arrived. Ah, day six. I woke up and for the first time since my mid-twenties, there was no swelling in my calves. I felt lighter, buoyant, even! I got dressed for work and was pleased that my pants were a bit loose at the waist. My shoes fit better too. Day six will be firmly in my consciousness for years to come because it was the moment I realized I finally found an eating plan that wasn’t a fad, that I could maintain, albeit not always happily, and was finally on solid footing for weight loss.

On this one year anniverary I got up and admired my toned calves and look forward to slipping into my new slacks. The replacement pair because my old ones are three sizes too big.

Today's lie: weight loss wasn't at all difficult or worth it.