Diet

For the last week, I have been on a simple diet (of my own creation) for the purpose of losing weight. I need to lose 35 pounds. I am attempting to lose the weight out of need – not a need to look good (that’ll never happen) – but rather a need to feel better. I am 35 pounds overweight, which, given my height, would seem quite reasonable. Unfortunately, I was severely underweight for the majority of my life, and so the excess weight I currently possess is causing me injuries, on many levels.

The first injury I noticed was my fallen arches. My feet were just not prepared for the rather sudden weight gain. They couldn’t cope with the pressure. As a result, I am required to buy shoes that are capable of providing adequate support. Since I find it difficult to get suitable footwear, I have been buying inserts from my local pharmacy. The cost of the inserts is not bad, but I’d rather not be paying it anyway. Also, have you noticed the new support analysis machines (Dr. Scholl’s) in stores? While they do perform a fascinating service, the support materials they recommend cost prohibitive sums to purchase ($50+)!

The next injury was that of my slipped-disc. I have a disc at L5-M1 that is slightly (0.2mm) out of position. It is also squeezing on the spinal cord between the two discs. As a result, I am finding it very difficult to walk, bend, reach, and do other physical tasks without experiencing pain. Given that I am familiar with pain—having dealt with it as an accompaniment to many hospital visits—I can function in spite of the pain, but I’d rather not have to. I have been told by my doctors that weight loss would aid in the reduction (if not actual removal) of the pain.

It sound’s good to me.

The third injury—well, it doesn’t really qualify as an injury—comes from the costs engendered by purchasing clothes of increasing sizes, and the difficulty finding appropriate sizes (I’ve never needed regular or average sizes). Granted, when I was younger (and thinner, due to Anorexia nervosa), I had trouble finding sizes too, but there is no need to lament the past.

My diet has just completed its first week, and I’m finding myself rather disappointed. Given my resolve, I thought I was capable of maintaining a limited Calorie count, but I suppose I’ll have to berate myself until I can agree to really cut those calories. Of course, it’s only been a week, but I would really like to get into that one-size-down outfit again…

☺