My Own Personal Battle of the Bulge

It’s been a while since I’ve done a Tales column. I hope all of you are doing well, and enjoying reading Patch as much as I’ve been enjoying getting it together for you. And now I’m going to try and get all of you a little more involved with Patch, and with me.

My weight has been one of my own personal issues for a long time. I’ve gained and lost the same 50 pounds more times in my life than I’ve cared to admit. Willpower, or the lack thereof, has always been something that I’ve struggled with. And with an upcoming milestone birthday (I’m not mentioning numbers, but it does have a 5 in it), I’m feeling like it is time to get in shape and stay there.

You may have seen on Patch that , a Lake Hopatcong staple, is sponsoring a Biggest Loser contest. The seven-week competition takes us right up to June 4, the beach’s opening day. Contestants will weigh in once a week, and meet weekly to share tips, advice and do some exercise on the beach.

So, if you’ve guessed what might be coming next, you’re right. I’m going to join the CAPP Beach Biggest Loser challenge, and chronicle my seven-week journey right here on Patch.

While I won’t reveal my weight (there are some lengths even I won’t go to), I will tell you about my progress each week, which hopefully includes a loss. I will share some of the things that have worked for me and healthy choices I’ve made. I will also lament the poor choices I have (inevitably) made, and the frustrations that come with changing unhealthy eating habits to healthy ones.

In addition, in early May, I will be starting a boot camp exercise class given through New Jersey Fit Mom. I’ll let you all know how hard it is, how much it hurts, but how good I hope to feel getting back into regular exercise.

I will be writing about my experiences at least once a week, after each weigh-in, and perhaps more often as the week rolls on. And yes, there will be before and after pictures.

Please feel free to comment, offer encouragement, tell me I’m crazy—whatever you’d like. I look forward to hearing from all of you.

Wish me luck!