Mexican Living: Too Dang Fat!

I thought I could avoid this when we moved to Mexico. I thought being here would effect a permanent change. I didn't think I would have to struggle with this anymore. I was wrong!

The doctor just told me that I am too fat.

What happened? I was doing so well. I even wrote about my progress in the book my wife and I wrote.

When we first moved to Guanajuato, I dropped about 40 pounds. This was exciting beyond my wildest expectations. We moved here without a car and vowed never to get another one. And we haven't. We ended up having to walk everywhere and everyday.

I was in Spanish classes, so I had to walk five days a week to and from classes. In addition, wherever my wife needed to go, I usually would escort her. We both became walking freaks.

I think another reason we walked so much is that we had a tiny apartment that wasn't all that comfortable. So, to keep from being bored and going stir-crazy we got out-a lot. There was also the issue of noise in that neighborhood. The people across from us had two yip-yip, demonically possessed poodles that barked day and night without end. This drove us from the apartment often.

We eventually found a lovely little house in a quiet neighborhood and snatched it. The only thing is that it is far away from anywhere. There is a downside and an upside to this.

Upside: To get to town, on goods days, we walk about thirty minutes to get to the park. We rest there, have a coke, and then proceed to the stores for shopping. Lots and lots of walking is required.

Downside: It is so far from anywhere that we are often tempted to take the bus or just not get out at all. Whereas we were walking 6-7 days a week at the other place, now we barely get our fat butts out of the house 2 or 3 times a week.

Result: Doug gained most of his old weight back and is now "fat, fat the water rat." In addition, my blood sugar is doing things it should not be doing.

Tsk! Tsk!

I admit it. I confess that I have fallen back into my old slovenly Americanized lifestyle of eating too much of the wrong kinds of foods and then not exercising enough.

When I told a gringo friend that my doctor told me I was too fat, he told me to get another doctor. Do you think that would work? Sigh!

So, here is the plan: I have to lose at least 2 kilos, according to my doctor, per month. He said to avoid all the foods and treats I adore and to walk my butt off. (I am convinced that's where most of the weight is located-in my butt.)

He told me to show back up in a month for a weigh-in. That was three weeks ago and I haven't lost one ounce. What am I going to do?

My options:

� Fast for a week.

� Find another doctor.

� Fast and jog for a week.

� Hide out from the doctor and then show up later claiming I lost track of time.

� Throw myself at the doctor's feet and cry for mercy.

� Tell him Weight Watchers only accept women in Mexico (Oh, wait! There is no Weight Watchers here.).

� Go for the office visit and introduce myself as Se�or Fat, fat the water rat."

� Send someone disguised as me who is really skinny.

Seriously, obesity is a serious problem and though I am struggling with this, I am determined to overcome it.

Write me at mexico03expat-guanajuato@yahoo.com and tell me about your struggles with weight. Give me suggestions and maybe I will use them in this column.

Doug Bower is a freelance writer and book author. His most recent writing credits include The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, The Houston Chronicle, and The Philadelphia Inquirer, and Transitions Abroad. He lives with his wife in Guanajuato, Mexico. His new book, Mexican Living: Blogging it from a Third World Country, can be seen at http://www.lulu.com/content/126241

---

Abdominal Liposuction - When Diets Dont Work

Abdominal liposuction refers to liposuction, or lipoplasty, that is performed... Read More

Break Your Weight Loss Plateau

How to Break Your PlateauToday is a typical morning like... Read More

Low Carbohydrate Diet Revolution -- A History

Most people think of the Atkins diet when they hear... Read More

Rating the Fad Diets

THE 200 POINT SYSTEMWith so many different diets available, how... Read More

Small Changes to Weight Loss

As much as many of us who are over-weight do... Read More

Can Eating Certain Foods Help You to Lose Weight?

The best way to lose weight is by consuming fewer... Read More

Weightloss Supplements - How Weightloss Patches & Diet Pills Can Control Your Appetite

All of us that have had a love-hate relationship with... Read More

Half of our Nation is Overweight!

Experts say obesity will overtake smoking as the biggest health... Read More

Sensible Approach To Weight Loss

Losing weight is a tough and demanding task for most... Read More

Loose 10 Pounds by Drinking Water?

Drink plenty of water. Our body needs a lot of... Read More

Weight Loss Product Warnings -- How to Spot Bad Pills

There are numerous ways to make a bad weight loss... Read More

The Culprit of Obesity in Children - Inactivity

It was bad enough hearing almost daily that obesity in... Read More

Holidaze

It's the travel time, meaning hours spent sedentary. It prepares... Read More

Diet Pills And Safe Weight Loss: A Quick Guide To Diet Pills

Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More

Weight-loss Tip: Add Extra Calcium to a Low-Fat Diet

Got milk? New research suggests you should if you want... Read More

Doc, I Know My Arthritis Will Get Better If I Lose The Weight?. But How Do I Do It?

First? establish realistic goals. Start with a target you can... Read More

The Three Simple Steps to Fat Loss

More than 70% of US adults are overweight and that... Read More

Lose Weight and Keep it Off Permanently Without Fancy Diets

For years the experts have been telling us that diets... Read More

A Clean Diet For Permanent Weight Loss

Getting Started on The Clean DietIf you want to lose... Read More

Weight Loss, Exercise, and Bodybuilding Tips ? Keeping Your Body-Fat Low: Part 5 of 10

Have you ever seen an overweight rock climber or yoga... Read More

Weighing in on Weight Loss

Dieters have long searched for secret paths to easy weight... Read More

Fast Weight Loss Takes Time

I recently received the following email:Q. Five weeks ago, I... Read More

Speed up Metabolism

Metabolism is essentially the speed at which our body's motor... Read More

Weight Loss and Disease ? It?s Not the Food that?s Killing Us!

Whether coming from a close friend, the nightly news or... Read More

Weight Loss Can Be Achieved In As Little As 5 Days By Increasing Your Metabolism

One-size-fits-all diets don't work....but then you probably know that already.... Read More

The Tao of Weight Watchers Part One

Weight Watchers inspired me to change my eating habits, lose... Read More

Weight Loss: Carbs? Or No Carbs?

Dietitians just plain don't like low-carb or high-protein diets.Whether it's... Read More

Eat Healthy for Life

Let's not talk about diets. Diets are punishment ? like... Read More

Taking Control of Your Subconscious for Permanent Weight Loss

From the moment of birth your first emotional experiences establish... Read More

Hoodia Diet Pills - Tremendous Product and Excellent Fraud!

When it comes to the matter of weight loss, peoples... Read More

Low Carb Diets: Craze or Crazy?

Low carb diets, though popular, have met with much controversy.... Read More

Burn More Fat With Insulin Control: The Secret Weight Loss Switch

If you're serious about losing weight and getting fit, you... Read More

The Secret to Reaching Your Ideal Weight

There are many books and internet articles written about weight... Read More