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Kicking My Fat To The Curb

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By LOIS KINDLE

lkindle@tampatrib.com

Published: December 31, 2008

I don't know about you, but I've had the same New Year's resolution for the past 35 years. And you know what? Call me wacky, but I'm going to shoot for the moon again.

I've been on every diet known to man, lost lots of weight, and then gained every blasted pound back - and then some. Let's see. I've counted calories, fat grams and carbohydrates; eaten prepackaged foods such as Jenny Craig and NutriSystem; tried liquid diets and medically supervised fasts; did the cabbage soup and grapefruit diets; even Deal-A-Meal, South Beach and Weight Watchers. I'm sure there's more. People, diets alone don't work - unless of course, you stay on them forever.

I'm beginning to think that dieting is one of those cruel universal mysteries that simply can't be explained.

So what's a person to do? What is it about weight loss that's so darned daunting?

A couple of years ago, my New Year's efforts to become the fit, slender goddess I once was in my 20s actually lasted more than 10 days, but I blew my progress somewhere around June. This year, I'm more realistic. Heck, I'd be thrilled to have the strong, stocky build I had in my 30s.

Experts in size-2 gym tights say the answer to losing weight is this: Simply eat less and exercise more.

Humbug, I say. Even though I know they're right, it's hard to take these people seriously. If the solution were that easy, there wouldn't be 68 million obese Americans drinking Diet Cokes while wolfing down Big Macs.

I've come to the realization that I've got to get off my keister. Yes, I have to watch my portions and forgo certain foods. But as long as my metabolism is hibernating like some bear in the woods, I'm doomed. I've got to awaken the sleeping giant.

And from what I understand, the safest way to do that is to start moving.

This is not an easy task for an athlete-turned-desk-jockey-turned-couch-potato. Anymore, exercising seems too much like work.

It's hard staying motivated.

I know. When my Wii Fit groans as I step on its platform, I feel more like kicking the dang thing across the room than doing yoga or aerobics. I don't care how sweet the voice sounds.

I'm fortunate to have good genes. My mother is a ballroom dancer at 77. She reminds me of the Energizer Bunny. And my great-grandmother, who was born in Ukraine, chopped wood well into her 80s. I've been able to carry my increasing poundage over the years much like the babushka-wearing woman she was. Besides the aches and pains associated with carrying an extra side of beef around, my health is good.

However, I'm ready to look - and feel - more like my mom, now.

There are so many things in this world we can't control - gas prices, taxes, political corruption, government spending. This new year, let's focus on something we can change - ourselves.

Why not join me? Or at least encourage someone you know to do so. Virtually everyone knows someone who could lose 10, 20, even 50 pounds to look and feel better. We can call it South Shore Sheds. Write or call to tell me your story. I promise to reply.

As a community, we can do this. I'll keep you posted on my results. You keep me posted on yours. Let's see how much South Shore sheds.

Lois Kindle is a reporter for The Tampa Tribune. She can be reached at (813) 865-1553.

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