Moving back to America in 1995 saw me balloon from 172 pounds on April 6th, 1995, to 260 pounds today. Living in Arizona, there is nowhere to walk to with a purpose other than exercise, and in the summer, it is overbearingly hot, even in the early evening. Not only did moving back see me start smoking a pack of cigarettes a day, but Caroline and I gradually stopped sharing a dinner dish when we ate out, which was all the time. Initially, we split a dish and, over time, started having an appetizer in addition to the main dish. Next, we would have an appetizer, split a main dish, and split a dessert. After a while, we would order separate dishes but skip the appetizer or dessert until ultimately, we would have an appetizer, a main dish, and there was a good chance we’d also have dessert. While in Germany, eating out was inconvenient, and walking was mandatory as parking was hard fought for and necessary services were all within walking distance.

In less than five years, I put on 88 extra pounds – of fat. On September 9, 1999, I quit smoking for the final time. I had tried a few other times only to relapse within two weeks of quitting. The last time I quit, I knew I didn’t want to smoke anymore. Not only was the smoking affecting lung capacity, which was apparently going up even one flight of stairs, but the weight was also slowing me down. It took the better part of a year until I felt that I was at a safe distance from smoking and that I wouldn’t ever smoke again. At that time, I was aware I wanted to do something about my weight but figured I would first deal with the bad habit of smoking.

Over the past two years, I’ve slowly warmed to the idea of vegetarianism. We no longer cook meat at home, and with the help of Indian cooking, I no longer miss it; if I do, we simply go out for dinner, and I get my animal protein fix. Now, I’m comfortable with eating more and varied veggies. I’ve cooked with possibly every lentil and bean used in the Hindu kitchen, and we have a spice collection to rival famous chefs.

Now, the hard part: I had lost 15 pounds with the Atkins diet but nearly went insane wanting fresh anything. Today, the weight is back on. I went on an eating binge after the diet, stopped my efforts to exercise, and didn’t much care. I need to find that same gumption that helped me quit smoking to lose this weight, or at least 70 pounds of it. I started the day with oatmeal and raisins, and I committed to getting familiar with Soy milk. Next, I have to try to make meal plans and maybe consider fasting from time to time. Caroline has wanted to get me to fast with her for the better part of a year; maybe the time is closer today.

My blood pressure is elevated to about 140/92, and my doctor would like me on Altace, but I do not like the idea of taking these molecular human-designed miracles. The only choice I have then, if I’m to avoid diabetes and heart disease, is to dig deep and find the balls to stick this out. First, modify my caloric intake, and once that is under control, do some regular exercise!