I thought I could avoid this when we moved to Mexico. I thought being here would effect a permanent change. I didn't think I would have to struggle with this anymore. I was wrong!
The doctor just told me that I am too fat.
What happened? I was doing so well. I even wrote about my progress in the book my wife and I wrote.
When we first moved to Guanajuato, I dropped about 40 pounds. This was exciting beyond my wildest expectations. We moved here without a car and vowed never to get another one. And we haven't. We ended up having to walk everywhere and everyday.
I was in Spanish classes, so I had to walk five days a week to and from classes. In addition, wherever my wife needed to go, I usually would escort her. We both became walking freaks.
I think another reason we walked so much is that we had a tiny apartment that wasn't all that comfortable. So, to keep from being bored and going stir-crazy we got out-a lot. There was also the issue of noise in that neighborhood. The people across from us had two yip-yip, demonically possessed poodles that barked day and night without end. This drove us from the apartment often.
We eventually found a lovely little house in a quiet neighborhood and snatched it. The only thing is that it is far away from anywhere. There is a downside and an upside to this.
Upside: To get to town, on goods days, we walk about thirty minutes to get to the park. We rest there, have a coke, and then proceed to the stores for shopping. Lots and lots of walking is required.
Downside: It is so far from anywhere that we are often tempted to take the bus or just not get out at all. Whereas we were walking 6-7 days a week at the other place, now we barely get our fat butts out of the house 2 or 3 times a week.
Result: Doug gained most of his old weight back and is now "fat, fat the water rat." In addition, my blood sugar is doing things it should not be doing.
Tsk! Tsk!
I admit it. I confess that I have fallen back into my old slovenly Americanized lifestyle of eating too much of the wrong kinds of foods and then not exercising enough.
When I told a gringo friend that my doctor told me I was too fat, he told me to get another doctor. Do you think that would work? Sigh!
So, here is the plan: I have to lose at least 2 kilos, according to my doctor, per month. He said to avoid all the foods and treats I adore and to walk my butt off. (I am convinced that's where most of the weight is located-in my butt.)
He told me to show back up in a month for a weigh-in. That was three weeks ago and I haven't lost one ounce. What am I going to do?
My options:
? Fast for a week.
? Find another doctor.
? Fast and jog for a week.
? Hide out from the doctor and then show up later claiming I lost track of time.
? Throw myself at the doctor's feet and cry for mercy.
? Tell him Weight Watchers only accept women in Mexico (Oh, wait! There is no Weight Watchers here.).
? Go for the office visit and introduce myself as Se?or Fat, fat the water rat."
? Send someone disguised as me who is really skinny.
Seriously, obesity is a serious problem and though I am struggling with this, I am determined to overcome it.
Write me at mexico03expat-guanajuato@yahoo.com and tell me about your struggles with weight. Give me suggestions and maybe I will use them in this column.
Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico. His new book, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country, can be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241
efficient cleaning crew Northbrook ..Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" is a major surgical procedure that... Read More
Have you heard about coconut oil diets yet? People are... Read More
Every weight loss surgery patient I've met said they at... Read More
A state of emergency has been recently put on European... Read More
With all the excitement regarding high protein diets, one area... Read More
How do we know what we know? Often, our knowledge... Read More
Any dietary plan on the market has some portion of... Read More
While it would be ideal to make all of our... Read More
Exercise Physiologists who study the effects of exercise on weight... Read More
If you are among the millions of people searching for... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan and I am a high... Read More
Nitrates and nitrites are preservatives that are added to certain... Read More
Yesterday, out of the blue, without any foreboding gossip or... Read More
To say that Americans are obsessed with dieting is an... Read More
Cellulite is not a medical condition or an aesthetic mutiny... Read More
Would you run out of fingers, and maybe even toes,... Read More
Losing weight quickly is not advisable as most of the... Read More
Losing fat in my opinion is not all that difficult.... Read More
How to Break Your PlateauToday is a typical morning like... Read More
Trash Your TV! is pleased to announce the easiest weight... Read More
Plan to eat two to three hours and pack health... Read More
What is a mini tummy tuck? Officially called a partial... Read More
When women talk about their biggest obstacles to successful weight... Read More
Maybe you losing weight comes down to the simple question,... Read More
Have you been on a new diet for a couple... Read More
cleaning lady near Wilmette ..1. Quit snacking in between meals. Do not fall for... Read More
Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat.... Read More
America's Obesity EpidemicAs the numbers of overweight Americans continue to... Read More
Sometimes it's good to just let the feelings flow. Take... Read More
If you're trying lose weight, maintain your weight, or sculpt... Read More
Families who dine out with their loved ones who've had... Read More
There are many factors that cause us to increase body... Read More
All the weight control experts recommend keeping a record of... Read More
Do you know the name of that one disease which... Read More
Are you a 'look-and-lose' dieter? Have you studied every diet... Read More
How many meals do you eat in one day?Close study... Read More
For the person who wants to shed a few pounds... Read More
I was overweight at my age. It's not a pretty... Read More
When you are faced with the daily challenge of trying... Read More
Do you know someone that is obsessed with the scale?... Read More
If only we could solve this question, the world (for... Read More
One of the hardest aspects of getting yourself into shape,... Read More
NLP Setting an Anchor Process to Get Back Motivation for... Read More
Dieting presents many complications if you are not fully committed... Read More
For many years, herbalists believe that Cayenne is the most... Read More
Everywhere we look in the western world we are inundated... Read More
Weight loss programs often have big claims. Understand the "science"... Read More
Debunking The Ab MythAb training has been done to death... Read More
In this age being ignorant is like committing a crime.... Read More
Healthy eating has become part of your life, but you're... Read More
Weight Loss |