You know, I've never hated a tape measure before, but after the embarrassing experience of putting all my body measurements down on paper, I wanted to light that thing like a fuse and watch it die.

My better half, the expert seamstress, did the measuring, and I found myself actually embarrassed to have her knowing in hard figures how far I had slid. But painful truths are the ones I've always learned from best, and the motivation value has been tremendous.

So, without further ado, the numbers:

Neck: 20.5 inches
Chest: 58.5 inches
Bicep: 18.5 inches
Waist: 63 inches
Hips: 62 inches
Thigh: 30 inches

You now know far more about me than you ever wanted to know, I'm sure. But I think I can safely say that all those numbers will change for the better in the very near future.

The Real Cause?

I came across a story this week that cited a new study saying gastric banding, in some cases, cured Type 2 diabetes. The study, done in Australia, covered a very small group of morbidly obese people with recent Type 2 diagnoses. Half were given conventional weight-loss therapies and half were given gastric banding along with the therapies. The group with the banding had a far higher rate of remission than those who pursued conventional methods alone.

On the surface of it, and the way it was portrayed in several of the stories, it seems that the surgery is the cure. The fact is that it's the weight loss resulting from the surgery that is the real fix.

I worry about stories like this. Gastric surgery is serious business, and while advancements in the last five years have dramatically reduced the number of fatalities and serious complications, it's still not something to be taken lightly. My mom is currently considering gastric banding, and her physician has mandated that she go through an impressive battery of screening tests and evaluations, both physical and psychological, before signing off on the procedure.

Fortunately, Mom has the services of a reputable doctor who is well-informed about her lifestyle and medical history. It would be ideal if everyone considering gastric surgery had the same, but the fact is that many don't. They treat these procedures as if they are just another quick fix, and don't have the true commitment to do whatever is necessary to follow through and make the substantial sacrifices necessary for success.

My negative attitude toward surgical weight-loss procedures has softened considerably, especially after seeing the great care my mom is getting; but it's still a dangerous business and should only be used in extreme cases.

For me, it's going to be diet and exercise. No, it didn't work terribly well the first time. But if I gave up on everything I've ever done after one try, the number of things in my life now that wouldn't be there is staggering.