A Begining!

I have been waging a battle against weight gain and a ever expanding amount of 'belly' fat ever since I quit smoking, the first time, over 40 years ago.  I had  been out of the active duty Marine Corps for about a year and began experiencing a slight weight gain accompanied by the strangest thing.  My chest was beginning to fall!  Rather than address the problem, I deluded myself into thinking that I could reverse this trend whenever I decided to watch my eating, drinking and non-exercising habits anytime I wanted to do so.  After all, I was a 24 year old guy in the prime of my life and was still self confident or, if you will, cocky enough to believe I was never going to be one of those "old" guys with a huge pot belly always tugging up his trousers.  So much for that fantasy!  As the years went by and my weight went up along with my  manly physique starting to head south  of the border, I must have tried- and failed - to loose weight and get back in shape at least a zillion times.  Ok, maybe a zillion is a bit of an exaggeration.  50 is more likely the real number of times that I went on and off nutrition based, fad, and ultra extreme diets.

In 2009 I had my first heart attack and angioplasty.  Two stents were placed in one of my major arteries and I resolved to change my lifestyle of limited exercise and irresponsible eating and get healthy so I could be around to see my five grandchildren grow into adulthood.  Some 15 months or so later,  I experienced another heart attack and became the not so proud recipient of three more stents.  I guess I kinda forgot how bad I felt during heart attack number one!  Must be a little slow on the up take.  Don't you think???

So this past December I took the unheard of plunge, at least from my perspective, and went to a Weight Watchers Meeting with my wife, Sara and daughter Chris.  How desperate was this!!!!  13 weeks later, I have shed 28 pounds and my belly is starting to head back to my chest where it belongs!  Another 20 pound loss will qualify me for lifetime Weight Watchers meeting status and enable me to save about $40 bucks a month in dues.  In this economy, $40 is a really big deal!  Chris, Sara, and myself have been joined in the Weight Watchers program by son Joe and his really significant other Leanne.

Having family embark on our goal of achieving and maintaining a healthy lifestyle has both inspired and motivated me to succeed.  I will be tracking our progress on a weekly basis on this blog and will be sharing thoughts and ideas on how to incorporate our program into our daily lives.  It is my hope that our five members will grow and that there will be much dialogue for all to enjoy.

Bill.