THIS BLOG EARNS ITS NAME TODAY

I'm wearing another very tight t-shirt today, but for a different reason than yesterday. Today I am wearing my tight t because this is the big day I've been working for. That's right, folks. I got on the scale this morning and lo and behold, I've finally joined the Century Club. Five days after my self-imposed deadline, and eight and a half months after I begin following the Beck Diet Solution, I have lost one hundred pounds.

Last September, I came home from an audition trip to New York, got on the scale, and saw the biggest number I'd ever seen. I'd been thinking for several weeks, really since our August trip to Sarasota (see the first pic in my gallery) that I really needed to do something about my weight, but seeing that number on the scale was the last straw. I decided right then and there that I was going to give myself a year to try to lose one hundred pounds. From that initial goal, I'm  three and a half months ahead of schedule.

And, broken wrist aside, I feel great. This is it. There isn't any going back.

I want to make it very clear that I was not an unhappy person at the weight I was. I had plenty of great friends (still do). I traveled all over the country, the world even, singing for a living --- what a great career! (Still do).  I dressed well and took good care of my skin and hair --- people were always complimenting me on how nice I looked. I did what I wanted to do, and even though I disliked exercise for exercise's sake rarely did being big stop me from hiking or doing any other outdoor activity I wanted to do. I met and dated and married a wonderful man who loved me and found me attractive just the way I was (and feels the same way now). Eric's love for me, all of me just as I am, is probably the strongest weapon in my arsenal. I could not have lost this weight without his support but also without knowing that he doesn't care whether I lose it or not --- he just wants me to be happy.

It's important to me to say these things because there is a great deal of irrational fat hatred in the world and I don't want my weight loss to be perceived as part of that. Fat people are regularly judged as moral failures based on nothing else than the way they look. They are currently being blamed for, among other things, the crises in medical care, oil, and global warming. These judgments are based on nothing more than stereotypes and have their foundation in  hatred.  So I want to make it clear that I am losing weight because it is my choice. I didn't like the way I looked or felt at the weight I was, but that didn't stop me from living a full and active life. I do not  look at other fat people with disdain, I do not look at them and see ugliness. But for me, it was time for a change, and I'm happy with my new lifestyle and look.

There are other people I need to thank for their help and support. Kim, my diet coach, who is a wonderfully wise and funny friend and always has good advice or and  a good quip. Jennifer, the therapist I've been working with.  My  online friends at LiveJournal and specifically the Beck Diet Solution Support Group. My  mom,  brothers, sisters-in-law, who love and support me no matter what I look like. All the people who read this blog and comment or email me; and all my terrific friends at home. Your encouragement means the world. Please don't stop.

So. As of today, I've lost my first 100 pounds. Tomorrow, I start on the next 100 pounds, or however much it takes to reach the place where my body is happy. I'm not setting any more deadlines for a while; but the next milestone is to see that scale turn over to the 100's. No rush. After all, this is now my lifestyle. And even when I'm craving ice cream and cookies, I like it.

Comments

[heartfire]

Yay, Cindy!!!

[100lbs]

Thank you, everyone, for your support!
Mrs. D, 34 lbs is a lot! Keep up the good work!
Brooke, Hella, Beth ... aw shucks. Thank you.
HS, I got a spa certificate for my b-day, but Mr. Cindy is the one who really deserves a massage. I'm going to try to book one for both of us.
Ed, thank you, and thanks for being a part of the birthday "party"!

[Ed]

What incredible self discipline to have lost 100 pounds! Congratulations on accomplishing a very significant goal.

[H. Skippety]

AWESOME!

Just . . . AWESOME!

:-D :-D :-D

Surely there's a great spa around them thar parts? I think you should schedule a massage to celebrate.

[Beth]

Yay!!! I am so excited for you - what a fantastic accomplishment! I want to be like you when I grow up (or down, as the case may be.) :)

[HellaTenor]

OMG!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOO!!! Cindy, you are truly an inspiration. I couldn't be happier for you!

[Brooke]

WAAHOOOOOOOOO!

Brava, Diva! You move and inspire. Keep up the good work!

[mrs darling]

Congratulations. I weighed 218 this morning so we're about the same only diff is that I only lost 34 to get there. Im so glad for you. Wow what an accomplishment!