Sunday, January 3, 2010

Ok, So I'll Take A Skinny Latte (boy), Please!

So, it's January, and as many of us are doing, resolutions are being made and broken and made again, blah blah blah. I have tried to do the resolution thing in the past, and while at times it has worked (I went close to six months before with no McDonald's or soda), many of my bad habits inevitably creep back into my life (ergo my renaming of Mountain Dew "a glass of yellow-green liquid joy.")

But, I am at a precipice with my health, as none of us are getting any younger these days. Having turned 37 this year, I realize that my health can really go one of two ways - better or much worse. I was recently holed up in my house for a week with cellulitis (which I talked about in a previous post), and have noticed other small things that may be part of getting older, but may just be my body's way of saying, "Yo! What the fuck?" There are aches and pains in new places, and I'm noticing that my vision isn't always what it used to be with far away words and phrases (I'm talking across the room stuff more than anything.)

So, starting tomorrow, many of my behaviors change. I know that this will be difficult, but I
know that with the support of my friends and co-workers, I can do it. I have done it to a smaller degree before, so I know it's possible. It just takes determination and will power - something that I need to nurture. Also, it takes an action plan, and a goal. So I'm not calling this a resolution (especially considering I'
m starting this on January 4th), but more of a goal for the new year. Here are some of my plans for this...well, plan....

1.) Cut that shit out! I am telling myself for at least 90 days, I am purging the following out of my dietary intake.
McDonald's
Dunkin Donuts
Soda, including but not limited to Mountain Dew, Cherry Coke, Regular Coke and Root Beer.
Wendy's
Delivery Pizza - I say Delivery because I can control portion size with frozen mini pizzas, like, for example Stouffer's or Mama Celeste (and does anyone else thing of the Golden Girls when they see Mama Celeste in the supermarket? Or is it just me? But I digress.)
Chik-Fil-A - Which, I know, the gays aren't supposed to eat there, but you have to admit, they make a damn good chicken sandwhich, and they offer the Cherry Coke I love so much.

My hope is that after the 90 days, I may find myself wanting to keep them out longer,
or, upon trying some of them, find myself disgusted by the excess fat, sugar and sodium (which has happened in the past for me with McDonald's...but then it always comes creeping back in....until now.)

2.) Move my ass. I have a gym membership. I have a Wii Fit. I have an area of the country where I am guaranteed to sweat 8 months out of the year if I do something outside. I still have both my legs (and trust me, once or twice it's been touch and go there with the one. Diabetes, hurrah!). The only thing that is keeping me back is excuses of time management and other activities. Because, you know, City of Heroes will explode if I don't play it every day. (p.s. I TOTALLY look like this guy with my shirt off.)

3.) Write it down....yes, that
tootsie roll I just had, too. The times I have been most successful with my weight loss in the past is when I document what I eat and how much. I can become a bit obsessive and crazy about it, but if I stick to foods where I can readily find the nutritional information easily, I tend to not freak out. Once I get lazy with the journaling is when I have start having issues again, which is why I am....

4.) Taking responsibility. Which is why I am writing about this now on the blog. I created a weight loss video podcast back in August of 2008 talking about my goals..had background music and everything. Don't remember it? There's a reason for that. I decided I would wait and show off the new skinnier me and create this mini-series about my experiences blah blah blah...then I realized I could walk down to the Dunkin Donuts by my house and be back in like 10 minutes...and that all went to shit. So this time, rather than do the whole wait and see thing, I'm putting it out there for all you wonderful people to see me either succeed or fall flat on my face. I like to think it will be the former and not the latter...but we are a comedy blog/podcast, so if I DO fall, at least it will be fun for you all to watch.

5.) GOAL! I am choosing to try and lose 60+ pounds by Gay Days (early June, 2010.)
In times past, I have just said "Lose weight," or "I just want to feel better." That may work for some people, and if it does, good for you! I'm truly happy for you. I need a brass ring - something like a number or a waist size I can actually shoot for.

Now, I'm not going to be talking about nothing more that weight loss on the blog. You can still expect sill pictures of the PiMC crew, or You Tube videos of horrible people doing moronic things, and the show will be the same show you all know and love (and is coming back soon!) I will, however, be posting from time to time about this and letting you all know how I'm doing with things, and should this plan of mine go away, feel free to ask me about it. If you want to know how I'm doing, send us an e-mail, and ask me to post how things are going.

Also, I'm not necessarily looking for accolades for doing this - what I mean to say is, I know you are a lovely bunch of people and many of you will want to wish me good luck. And I appreciate it, I truly do. But I'm not doing this so that I can get lots of attention. I do things like dance like Beyonce in the Single Ladies video in Target to embarass Babaloo if I want to get attention. And trust me when I say, I do.

9 comments:

Thom said...

Hey Taylor,

I find you to be very honest and open about your situation. I know that putting this entry on to your blog was a mighty big step for you as you walk towards losing the weight and becoming more healthy for yourself. Please know that I probably represent all your listeners by saying that we support you and will encourage you towards your goal. Even if you do not make it, celebrate the progress!

Your Nashville Friend,

Thom

Taffy said...

You can do anything once you put your mind to it. I am proud of you.

Drum Riley Calhoun said...

It's funny that you chose the picture from DBH, because that is exactly what went through my mind about me this morning. I have been on vacation for a couple of weeks, and it was not easy to button my pants this morning...

You can do it. Your health is more important that any short-lived sugar buzz...

[LaLa] Lauren said...

Good luck! I find that writing down everything I eat is good practice, even if I'm not trying to lose weight.

Crystal in Buford said...

Use this for your goal: for every 15 lbs of weight loss you regain 1 inch of penis length. :) Good luck! I know toucan do it!

Anonymous said...

my goal is to cook more for myself so i can have control and know everything that i put into my body. i saw this fitness giveaway this morning- http://blog.gifts.com/giftrap/recipients/men/gift-giveaway-jillian-michaels-fitness-package a "game" on the wii is more enticing to me than going out to the gym. it's worth entering. good luck!

Lola LaFayette said...

I agree with everyone, you can do it. You truly just have to take it one day at a time...

Prevention Magazine offers some GREAT daily newsletters, if you are interested:

http://www.prevention.com/cda/newslettersignup.do

Anna B said...

You KNOW I have sent a couple emails saying that I was worried about you. I am happy to see you arrived in this new year with focus and determination.

Bella Napoli is good for pizza portion control as well ;-)

Walt said...

You can do it, Taylor. Believe me, if I can do it, anyone can. As long as your head is in it, you'll be successful.