A New Year, A New Me: Week One

Weight loss comes down to simple math, I am told. Calories in must be less than calories burned. While this is a surprise to no one — not even me — it still can be difficult to put this formula into play in the real world with real lives.

That is why so many Americans struggle with their weight as I do. So, I started my big new plan to be smaller.

I joined the . I am very excited and a little overwhelmed. It is always hardest at the beginning, until you actually understand what you are supposed to be doing.

Last night, our first group meeting was an orientation session with The Fitness Pursuit owner and coach Matt Petersen and our session coaches Lauri Robinson and Kelli Richter. They seemed very nice and very ... straightforward (no excuses allowed).

Simple math ... calories in less than calories burned.

The formula is to move at least 90 to 120 minutes per day. Yikes! That is way more than my casual (translation = slow and easy) 20-minute jogs three times a week. So I did an abs workout last night, and then walked briskly on the treadmill this morning for two episodes of How I Met Your Mother. Sixty minutes, check. Now, another workout tonight.

We all are wearing the BodyBuggs, an armband that measures how many calories we burn even at rest. It is a pretty cool system that provides a lot of info. Then we keep our own food log, to measure calories in. When the calories burned is consistently more than the food put in, the weight goes away. Duh! Why is this so hard for me?!?

I think finding the time for all this is going to be a challenge. But it is important enough. I am important enough. The 11 other class members are an impressive group. Some already have had great success at The Fitness Pursuit and would like to continue it. Others have not worked out in years but are here now. I applaud them all.

Having the support and accountability of a group really motivates me. Some people can do this on their own, and good for them. For me, I love having old friends and new acquaintances on the same journey, all cheering each other on for our individual goals.

So, while I'd love to lose 40 pounds in 10 weeks, I honestly don't think that I can pull that number off. Especially with my Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes, I always seem to lose weight twice as slowly as regular people. I am setting a goal of 25 pounds lost in 10 weeks == challenging, but attainable.

I'm sharing this story with you because I know so many people who are struggling with weight loss, too. I hope this can help share tips and strategies, or at least provide a little entertainment. Share any you have in the comments.

Check back in at 5 p.m. next Tuesday for an update.