Woman on a Diet

I was inspired to start this blog after stumbling across Girl on a Diet (by way of The Skinny Website). I've titled this post "Woman on a Diet," though, because the truth is I'm not a girl any longer. I'll be 30 in October. I think that officially qualifies me for womanhood.

I've been struggling with my weight since college. I gained more than the freshman 15, and I kept going. My highest weight came several years later when at the doctor's office I came in at 165. I am 5'4". After that I bought some ephedra diet pills, watched what I ate, started playing racquetball and lost around 25 pounds. I've long since chucked the diet pills, but I kept most of the weight off. I fluctuate between 140 and 150, and have for many years now.

A couple of years back I got a great job with full health insurance benefits. I went in for a wellness visit where they tested my cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure and other heart vitals. I was disappointed to learn that my cholesterol was a whopping 300 and my triglycerides were on the high side, too! I was just 28 at the time. My father and my grandparents have all struggled with heart disease and diabetes, and it looks like I got it honest. My doctor recommended that I drop some weight (even just 5 pounds), get my cholesterol down and start now combating my unhealthy cardiovascular lineage. That, of course, was easier said than done. I'm still hovering at the weight I was a year ago when I went to the doctor and I'm sure my cholesterol has barely budged.

So, I was watching PBS this week when Dr. Arthur Agatston discussing how to eat your way to a healthy heart. It was all things I'd known for a long time, but rarely implemented. In fact, I'd been eating vegetarian for years. But I still ate sweets and cheese and butter, and I was no healthier for it. Dr. Agatston convinced me to give up the vegetarianism for a while in order to get healthy. It's something I'm certainly willing to try.

And so tomorrow I will begin Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet. This will be my third attempt. I failed the first two times after a mere 3-4 days. I'm hoping this online diet and health journal will help keep me honest.

I just got back from the grocery where I stocked up on staples: veggies, eggs, lean meat and cheese. I'm off to make some To-Go Veggie Mini-Quiches for the week ahead.

Oh, I forgot to mention the other motivating factor at work here. My mother was generous enough to buy me a scale that measures not only poundage, but body fat percentage as well. Last night when I set it up my weight was 143 with a body fat percentage of 30%. (!) This morning when I tried it first thing (no water, coffee, exercise--straight out of bed) my weight was 143 with a body fat percentage of 33%. (!!) A body fat percentage of 20% is recommended for a woman my age. So, I'll be charting my body fat percentage as well as weight loss at this blog every day, starting now:

Sun. 3/11
Weight: 143
BF%: 33%

I'm off to eat something fried and bread-y before embarking on this life change. Wish me luck.