Anupy’s Fat Post 001

I’m fat.

There – I said it. Fat. Fat. Fat. Fat. Fat.
To be specific the scale read 136 pounds this morning. There – I even said that. It might not sound like a LOT – but on a 5’2″ (on a good day) frame – that’s just plain uncomfortable.

Now, before you send me all of your “oh, let’s be nice to the fat people out there” emails…let’s clarify. First and foremost I’m only talking about myself. And secondly I have a very specific definition of fat.

I define fat as feeling completely out of sorts – uncomfortable in your own skin. Basically – feeling like you’re not the weight your body was meant to be. In Hawaii I never referred to the 6 foot-tall 165-pound ladies I danced Hula with as Fat ’cause they were Samoans who were so strong and muscular they could crack me like a twig if they wanted. They were beautiful and comfortable in their skin.

I believe we all know our ideal weight. Not the 108 that I was all through college. Or even the 110 I was for the years I worked on Capitol Hill as first an intern and then a staffer. NO..the weight I’m meant to be to feel healthy and happy and totally mobile in my 40s and after two kiddos.

So, here’s my resolution. I want to hit 125 pounds by April 1. And, I’m going to do it by posting here once a week. I’ll give you my honest week-by-week follow through: how I did…generally what I ate…what I should do more of…and hopefully you’ll post your own comments and it’ll go on and on and on and on and we’ll all hit our goals.

The first step for me was to realize why thus far I’ve failed at losing the little amount of weight I’ve wanted to shed. For me, it’s largely that most of the Diet/Lifestyle Change books out there don’t speak to me. I am a vegetarian who eats eggs, seafood once in awhile…and on rare occasions chicken. That’s it. Most of the books out there when they give you those damn diet suggestions focus on foods that I’d never fill up on: rolled up turkey meat makes me gag…I haven’t eaten beef in 20years…and chicken I’ll only stomach if the shit has been cooked out of it.

Second, I’m not a boring salad kind of girl. I was raised on the most flavorful – balanced diet of all: Indian. And I love all ethnic foods. THAT’s what I want to eat.

Third…I’m not your average eater. I eat WELL. I never drink sodas…am tempted to drink alcohol only once a week (I don’t care for wine)…eat loads of veggies…My weakness is carbs (rice and bread) and FRENCH FRIES…yum.

Fourth…I’ve also been sabotaging myself. I’m addicted to NOT sleeping. It started when I was an early morning TV reporter. I was sleeping on average 4 hours a night for three years. And now, if I try to go to bed sooner I just feel completely out of sorts as if I got nothing on my to-do list done. Staying up late also means munching late at night sometimes.

So, here’s the plan for now:
1. Sleep 6 – 8 hours a night regularly
2. No more eating after 8 p.m. unless it’s fruit
3. Light carbs at dinner
4. Excercise: 2 days/week trainer…running…swimming…yoga other days.
5. Loads of lemon water to flush out my system.
6. Major portion control
7. No take out: no pizza/no Chinese food

I’m going to start with these basic guidlines for myself without changing too much of anything else…and let’s see how things fare.

I’ll post again next Tuesday to let you know how the week went.

Any thoughts/words of inspiration? I figure if I don’t do it at 41 – when will I do this?

Oh, and Books/things I’m reading that are pretty good motivators:
“Younger Next Year” by Chris Crowley & Henry Lodge

Today’s WSJ article: “The Hidden Benefits of Excercise.”