I generally eschew dieting, with the subtle ethos of self-consciousness and self-flagellation that seems to inevitably accompany it. At best, it bewilders me. When I was a kid, I always thought it was strange that my mom and her friends talked so frequently about losing weight, or trying not to gain any more. But I decided to join this DietBet because it seemed more fun than the normal diet scheme, and I know I've put on some weight in the last few years.
Then I stepped on the scale today to weigh in, and realized that I've gained over 10 pounds in the last 4 months.
How did that happen??
I've been slightly unnerved by my slow but steady weight gain in college, but my size has never really been an issue for me. Perhaps too much so; in trying a little too hard not to be worried about my body, I have been careless about my health. My weight is even beginning to affect how active I am: I went for a run the other day and was winded within 10 minutes. More than skinny, I want to be healthy, and strong. Somewhere along the way, that has moved slowly down my list of priorities until now it's slipped back up to the top in the form of that slap in the face: 156.8 lbs.
Fineeeee, I'll lose the weight.
I graduated in May, and one by one the milestones of "real life" (first loan repayment, first lease, first holiday season having BOTH my grandmas ask when I'm getting married) are overtaking me. I still feel like a newly-birthed "real person," but I suppose it's about time I stop being careless, get my sh*t together and take responsibility for my own health. (Plus, as a debt-swamped law student, I really can't afford to lose $35.)
So now I have a physical, financial, and philosophical reason to lose the weight. Cheers to the new year; here's to being an adult.