25-Pound Countdown

As 2005 comes to a close and we count down to the New Year, I'm thinking of a countdown of my own.

A countdown to my goal weight, 25 pounds away. A feat that won't be celebrated by champagne toasts, or with glittery balls descending into Times Square.

Crowds won't gather to count with me as the weight ticks off. There'll be no celebratory day off from work. Party hats and noisemakers probably won't be in evidence.

And I'm almost certain that Dick Clark won't be hosting the party. But I'm imagining the day as being just as exciting as New Year's Rockin' Eve.

I know it's going to take quite a bit of determination and hard work. It's always easier to eat the cheeseburger and fries, rather than a salad - at least for me. And I'm going to have to get back to exercising regularly, like I did last summer. Ugh!

But just think of the new clothes I'll need to buy for that slimmer me. And how about not being overweight during swimsuit season? Plus not being embarrassed to have bare upper arms, to wear short shorts, or to let my belly show while belly dancing.

Maybe it will even finally be enough weight lost to make a difference in my blood pressure - wouldn't that be fantastic?

I'm so jazzed about the possibilities right now; I can't imagine how exciting it's going to be when I get close to that magic number. I'll be hopping on the scale every day, and asking, "Am I there yet?"

Then one morning it will happen and I'm going to whooping so hard that my cats are going to think I'm having a fit. They'll be knocking the phone off the cradle and trying to remember how that bird on the animal channel dialed 911.

"911. What's your emergency?"

"Meow!"

I'm so excited at the thought that I'm finally going to do this! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, and it's shining right on me. They say that if you can see it, you can achieve it. Well, I can see it - and I look good!

I'm sure that my excitement will dim a little during that first couple weeks of cookie detox (she types as she brushes the chocolate chip cookie crumbs off her lips), but I'm hanging on 'til the thinner end.

Seeing those pounds dropping off will help keep me going. Recording my progress on ClevelandWomen.com should insure my success. How can I not stick to my diet with the world watching?

Anyone who wants to come along with me, I'd be happy for the company and the commiseration. Write in and tell me, what is your countdown?

Here's to a happy and healthy New Year

Claire