Inspired

So Sarah and I kicked off a diet recently to slim down and motivate ourselves to get fit. We're feeling frumpy and lazy and it's contributing to a general blahness about the house that we're both eager to kick. This state came upon us both slowly. We've had our hands full with our 8 month old baby girl (Libby) and with the general hectic-ness that is raising an infant, we've neglected ourselves some. We can't blame Libby though. For years now, as I approached and eventually passed the 30-year mark I'd noticed a bulk developing that hadn't previously bothered me much. Lately though my shirts no longer fit right and my pants have grown too tight. I live a less than active lifestyle and still eat and drink like a twenty-year-old. So with some help from a healthy eating plan book and a commitment to exercising more than ever before, I intend to scale back my expanding girth and retreat from this bulky 205 lbs. Sarah is keen to scratch 10 lbs off her petite frame and she has more experience running and marathon training than I have so this shouldn't be impossible for her. I however have historically suffered from an inability to commit to any lasting lifestyle changes. I need some motivation, some inspiration, a commitment, a cause. Coincidentally, I have stumbled upon a blog that has inspired me. And I'm setting out here to duplicate it, well, to follow the authors lead.

The cause: I have a degenerative eye condition called Choroideremia (CHM for short). It's hereditary and worsens over time. While I could see well as a teenager, I am now functionally blind in one eye and partially sighted in the other. My night vision has always been poor and has gotten progressively worse. The decline has come in small increments, imperceptible almost, but as time passes the area of my eye with which I see shrinks. To quote EJ (who you will meet in a moment) "imagine living life looking through a straw." It's a lot like that. I share this condition with a brother (Jonathan) and my grandfather on my mother's side (Clarence). Eventually I will lose the little sight I have currently and have to start using a cane and all that jazz. And, I just so happen to share this condition with...

The blogger: EJ Scott is a Chicagoan who has been blogging about his fundraising effort at "Losing Weight for Charity and Myself!" EJ is raising money for the Choroideremia Research Foundation (USA) a non-profit American outfit that raises and distributes funds towards finding a cure for the yet-incurable condition we have in common. He has been taking pledges in a per pound fashion and is now up to $79.95/lb. This means for every pound of weight EJ sheds, $79.95 will be raised to finance research. So far he's lost 15.4 lbs. That brings his fundraising total-so-far to $1231.23. This is no paltry sum considering that individual pledges range from $0.50 upwards, $1/lb, $2/lb, $10/lb. His goal is to lose 60 lbs in one year. If he gains no further pledges this would put funds raised at almost $5000 by the time he reaches his goal. Chances are he'll wrangle a few more dollars per pound and top that.

Imitation - the sincerest form of flattery: Well, I don't know if this is true. I've yet to learn how EJ feels about my plan. I think others have already mimicked him. I'm jumping on board his fat-shedding bandwagon and looking for support from you - my friends and family, my family's friends, my friends' families, and whomever else. As EJ's set it up, donations are tax-deductible and receipts are issued. Given that we reside in Canada I propose that every dollar raised go to the Canadian equivalent of the American organization, The Choroideremia Research Foundation Canada Inc. where the same can be arranged. Here in Canada, money collected goes to doctors/scientists that are working on a cure. It may not help me, but perhaps this research will benefit Libby's children.

Day 1: The diet technically started yesterday, but today I came upon EJ's blog and decided to blog about my own efforts to lose weight for the cause. I'd like to follow the same method as EJ and seek donations per pound of weight lost. Currently I weigh 205 lbs and I intend to lose 30 lbs, taking me down to 175 lbs, my last remembered healthy weight. I am giving myself until December 21st to get there. Why December 21st? Just in time for Christmas, an excellent time for giving. Plus, I don't think I could stand to skip a Christmas Dinner with all the trimmings. So, send me your pledges. I'll post all pledges here and track my progress, pledges, highs and lows of losing weight here for all of you to read. Once completed I'll ask you to contribute your pledge to CHM Research Foundation Canada online. Your receipts will be mailed out and you will have contributed to finding a cure for this condition. Any support would be greatly appreciated.