Crystal Graham: Tipping the scales

My resolution for the new year is probably identical to yours.

In fact, my bet is that my goal is one of the most common New Year’s resolutions.

Of course, mine was decided long before the ball dropped.

I made up my decision last week.

The truth is that I went to the doctor’s office last week – and yes, they did the one thing I hate more than anything else in the whole world – they made me step on the scales.

Last year, I freaked out when I tipped the scales right at 195.

This year: 200.

Of course, I tried to justify it … I had clothes on, shoes on, I was holding my purse …

I’ve never weighed that much in my life.

In high school, I weighed 130 and thought I was fat.

I look back at those pictures now and can’t believe how skinny I was.

In college, I put on the freshman 10 and then some. When I graduated from Virginia Tech, I was around 165.

One year later, I weighed about 175 on my wedding day.

And now, four years after I got married, I’m two centuries fat.

And I feel it.

I was huffing and puffing my weigh, er way, around a hospital the other day, when I realized not only am I fat, but out of shape too.

In fact, the nurse at my doctor’s office put it best – they didn’t sugarcoat it one bit – I’m the o word.

Obese.

When I look into a mirror, I don’t see a fat person.

I’m a size 12 to 14 – isn’t that the average size of a woman today in the United States?

Nonetheless, according to her little height and weight chart, I am borderline obese.

She even gave me a copy of that chart to take home with me.

So I couldn’t say she was wrong.

This year, I plan to do something about it.

I’m not going to go crazy on this lose-weight train though.

For one thing, I have no intention of popping a pill of any kind.

I’ve tried things like that in the past – and I feel weak.

Nope, that’s not the solution for me.

I know what I need to do is start exercising again.

It’s been probably three years since I had any kind of structured exercise program.

That’s a long time.

So, I’m going to start hitting the gym again – and take a class or two – and do something about this.

My goal this year is to lose 50 pounds.

Wish me luck.