It’s time to get refocused on my health again. Two and a half years ago, inspired by an article I read in the New Yorker which suggested that children who demonstrated willpower in life were more successful, I decided to see if I had the willpower to lose weight and make myself healthier.

The good news is that I made real success, as the picture to the right attests. I’m down significantly from my peak weight. I feel much better, enjoy hiking and exercise, and enjoy not purchasing clothes at tent makers.

I’m now someone who finds five hard miles on the elliptical somewhat enjoyable–that’s an almost unimaginable life change.

Unfortunately, last September began the slow process of slipping from my commitment. The emergence of some personal issues, a frustrating surgery, and a somewhat typical reversion to my old behaviors has not only stalled, but reversed some of my progress.

My new goal? To become as healthy and active as I want.

The truth is this is entirely up to me. While I recognize not everyone who struggles with weight can simply choose to lose it, the evidence suggests I can. Success or failure in this will depend entirely on my willpower, my determination.

The new plan?

• I’ll try to consume no more than 1500 calories per day when I don’t exercise, 1900 when I do.
• I’ll avoid meat, soda, and any sweets.
• I’ll track everything I eat and post it here (without any omissions).
• I’ll try to make 4 trips to the gym every week.
• I’ll walk rather than drive whenever I can.
• I won’t make any more daily visits to the scale. The scale is the enemy of progress.
• I won’t quit or get angry because I slip up or even fail for awhile. The one truth I learned in the first wave of weight loss is that it’s far easier to hate myself than change myself. I’m sure that I am going to be weak, make mistakes, or even just eat too much pizza some day because I’m upset. Those things are fine–it’s just essential to not let them become reasons to give up.

The Extrinsic Motivation?

• My goal is to lose 37 pounds between 4/12/2012 and 9/1/2012. For each pound short of the goal I set for myself, I will donate $10 to the most loathsome politician I can imagine.
• May God have mercy on my soul if I fail.

Thanks for being part of the public audience to keep me accountable. That so many people have been so positive about this process has made it much easier.