Guest Author - Pam Garlick

I have struggled with weight problems for many years, and although I’ve tried many diets, I’ve found myself backsliding often. And everyone knows that backsliding in a diet means having an upwardly mobile bathroom scale. Mine topped out at nearly 230 pounds a few years ago.

Since my father has had serious health issues for many years, many made worse by weight, my mother has constantly been after me about my weight. Of course, I haven’t seen it as constructive criticism. In the end it was more destructive, in that it pretty much destroyed what little self-esteem I had.

However, I recently realized I’m not a teen anymore. – Yes, you might note it’s take me quite a while to figure that one out. – Being a rebel as a teen may be normal; at my age it’s destructive.

Yep, I figured out I was on a destructive roller coaster. I’d live positively for a while, then whammo, I’d peak out and down I’d tumble, until I reached a low point and there was only one way to go. Back up again, making a slow ascent. Very, very slow ascent.

Let me explain, since I’m fairly certain most of you don’t know me very well yet: I don’t do slow. I’ve had to work at it. To be honest, I’m still working at it.

Weight loss is only one aspect of the things I’m working on in my 75% life make over. However, it is a biggie. Ouch! I can’t believe I said that.

Weight has contributed to the amount of medications I’m on. Which is to much. I’m taking two things for blood pressure, an extra for water during the summer months, a cholesterol lowering drug, something for reflux, asthma medication . . . I think you get the picture. The doctor assures me that as I lose weight I will be able to be on less and less of these.

Okay, back to my weight loss strategies. I started with the South Beach Diet a couple of years ago, and started losing some weight. Yet, I longed for certain things that just weren’t on that low carb diet. Chocolate for one, french fries, cake, pastries, and did I mention chocolate?

I went off it, making jokes like, “I don’t do diets. There is something disagreeable with anything that is spelled with the first three letters D - I - E.”

I tried to eat sensibly, but my weight drifted up again. Not as high as it was, but up. When you are 5' 3" tall and over 200 pounds, up is bad no matter if it’s a pound.

With more nagging . . . I mean, concern expressed by my mother, that I needed to get more exercise – life as a writer is sedentary – last year I joined one of those women’s circuit exercise programs. I started shedding more pounds.

Unfortunately, I got overzealous and did a little dance routine that was not on the circuit – who could resist a little foot stomping to “The Devil in Georgia”? Well, the devil was not in Georgia that day, I must say. He caused real havoc in my life when my knee gave out.

To make a long story short, after the knee surgery I had a long, painful recovery, hampered by other health problems and another surgery for something else.

You guessed it, my weight crept higher again.

Meanwhile, my son and his fiancee were both on the Jenny Craig and were quickly equalled and surpassed the star who's constantly bragging about her weight loss in their comercials. Then my husband, who also gained a lot of weight, suddenly started losing, in spite of all the soda cans and candy wrappers I found in his lunch box.

And then earlier this year I heard about a woman who’s weight had basically killed her. And not in a very pleasant way. It sounded like there was a correlation between the woman’s weight and her low self-esteem. Sound familiar?

This woman had gained so much weight, her legs split open. She eventually got a serious infection because of the wounds, and lacking the strength or desire to go on, she died.

With renewed vigor I focused on regaining the strength in my knee. Even got shots to help. I’d even begun doing exercises in the pool. Within a very short time one medication was lowered, but no weight loss.

I decided maybe Mom was right about a few things. I ate the wrong foods in the wrong portions.

While I saw the difference Jenny Craig made in Billy and Trisha’s lives, I opted for a different, yet similar program. I started NutriSystem about three weeks ago.

My starting weight was 219. I’m down twelve pounds already. And Ken’s joining me on the diet to show his support. He's down too.

Still, I know I need more. I need people, other than my mother to hold me accountable. So, I will be making progress reports to my readers from time to time.

And I ask, please, if I do not do that, it may mean I need encouragement. So, please, would some of you e-mail me from time to time. I very much need to succeed at this life make over.

Please watch for future installments on my life make over series.

If you need to lose weight, I seriously suggest you check out NutriSystem. Right now they are even giving a free week of food. And it's delicious! Check them out below: