I don’t make New Year’s resolutions.  In the past, I’ve called them New Year’s resignations, as I resign myself to another year of falling short of my own potential.  Classic underachiever, don’t you think?

This year, however, I’ve decided to throw away my old convictions and set a goal worthy of a good self-flogging on December 31, 2008.  Er…I mean, to set a goal that is lofty, yet attainable, even for a sloth like me…uh, well…you know what I mean…to give it my best shot!

Those of you who are registered “members” of Gooblink know that I went on a diet a while back and I promised to keep a diary of my progress.  I was so disgusted at myself for getting fat that I knew this time would be different and I’d find the will to lose it and boy, did I! 

I lost my will, that is…but I gained ten pounds.

Last spring I reasoned that what I lacked was support.  You know, a group of like minded individuals working towards the same goal.  Armed with new fervor, a renewed sense of purpose, I joined Weight Watchers.  The first meeting had me so pumped and ready that I was sure this was my ticket to size 6 jeans.

It was Weight Watchers, all right.  I sat at each meeting and watched while everyone else lost weight.  After 10 weeks I’d lost 4.9 lbs.  That just wasn’t fast enough for me, so I dropped out and gained my 4.9 lbs. back in about 4.9 weeks.

Over the summer, one of Chuck’s business acquaintances mentioned that he’d bought his mom a Nutrisystem package for Mother’s day, but she didn’t like the food, so he had a whole box of stuff to give away.  Chuck asked me if I’d want to try it and I jumped at the opportunity.  We’d been accosted by ads for NS for the past several months; all these super skinny women talking about how they feel so sexy and energetic and how easy the program was to follow, and men who boasted that their wives didn’t think they were disgusting anymore.  I’d watch longingly and think, gee, I wish I had her body.  Chuck would watch longingly and think, gee, I wish Cindy had her body.

So, I got the box of food – minus the program instructions, mind you - tried the food and it was awful.  I was famished the whole time and 3 meals a day of food that doesn’t require refrigeration is just wrong.  Defeated, again, I decided a lifetime of Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) just wasn’t my cup of tea.

But, you know me and my convictions…

Back to my New Year’s resolution for 2008; since I’m a glutton for punishment, I’ve decided to make this year be the year that I lose 50 lbs.  70 lbs is my ultimate goal, but given my current age (44) and the fact that I’m not as active as I used to be, it may be a bit unrealistic to think I can get back to my high-school graduation weight.  At this point, I’m just looking to get back to my pre-fourth-pregnancy weight. 

So far this month, I’m down 5 lbs.

How, you might ask?  I decided to give Nutrisystem another shot, and signed both Chuck and myself up for the program.  This time, I got the program instructions and what I found was that the MREs are just a small portion of the plan.  We’re supposed to supplement with dairy, fruit and veggies.  Duh!  That makes sense. 

We’re 10 days into the program and I haven’t felt hungry, deprived or even a small tinge of buyer’s remorse.  The program isn’t cheap, but given the drop in our dining out budget (I track our spending with Quicken), I think it’s going to work out to about the same monthly expenditure.  The biggest budget savings I expect to see will be reflected in the business register.  Chuck dines out nearly every day and by bringing his NS lunch to work with him, he’s no longer spending that money.

Anyway, I feel very positive.  I think this time will be different.

Stay tuned.