"I went to the doctor and the doctor said...

boy (girl), your body is a temple, not a toy!"

("fill up this here paper cup and give it to the nurse"- lyrics from a Loudon Wainwright song).

Well, that is not exactly what she said. But without asking any specific questions I was told to lose a specific amount of weight within a four month period. Or if I wanted to take it slow make it six. It really sounded like an unhealthy proposal to me. An insurmountable mountain.

She gave me a website that she said was really helpful (and free) to track my progress. I checked it out- and as expected, it is mainly for people who don't actually cook or bake from scratch. Or make their own granola.

Of course I know I could do without those pounds circling my waist. I contemplate this on a daily basis. And I am definitely trying to make the recommended healthy lifestyle changes. But starving myself was not in the plan really. Calorie counting is not my thing. Exercising? I like walking. But you have to do a lot of it apparently to make any kind of impact at all.

I have never been skinny, I have struggled with this as long as I can remember. The only two times I lost weight : one, when I was carrying my girls, I gained less than what they were weighing and remained thin for at least a year afterwards; two, when my dad died.  I don't want to repeat either one of these life events.

Nevertheless- I shall make an attempt. Will keep you updated on occasion.