re-dedication 2009

When I first started this blog, I had a couple of months under my belt of Health Quest 2007. In the preceding months, my father had died of diabetes complications, I'd discovered Michael Pollan and Heidi Swanson, and I was afire with dedicating myself to get my health and weight under control. And, I did really, really well for six or seven months, and then I started gradually adding back in sweets and processed foods until I'd gained back all I'd lost (plus four extra pounds), and found myself in the doctor's office with a mysterious rash that was explained as a pre-Diabetes warning sign. And, then a few days later I saw a picture of myself, looking not unlike Jabba the Hutt, shoving a forkful of food into my mouth. Yuck.

So, this is my re-dedication to Health Quest 2009. I'm going to start blogging more regularly because it helps to have to be accountable. And, I'm starting fresh. Making sure I am drinking my 8 cups of water (at least). Cutting out all the processed crap that eked back into my diet over the past year and a half. Keeping an eye on my nutritional intake. Exercising.

And, all the while trying not to get so obsessive with it that I give it all up when I have one misstep.

I fired up my old www.sparkpeople.com account to track my food and exercise. I like data. It helps me stay focused. And, it's a free site. If you're trying to lose weight and get healthy, you should check it out. It works much like a Weight Watchers-style plan.

If anyone has some supportive words of encouragement, a personal story, or any such thing, please post it in the comments!

I hope you all had a lovely Thanksgiving, Xmas/Chanukah/Kwanza and New Year!