This is a public diary and a public confession. Its the story of Mike Gibbons-Camp, a 30 year old legal aid attorney who on August 23, 2007 weighed in at 392.8 lbs. Thanks to the constant support of my wife, Liz, and a kick in the pants by a good friend who I hadn't talked to for a while, I finally decided that enough was enough. But instead of quietly suffering with my weight, I started my blog, "New Me?"

I did really well for 10 weeks, then it completely fell apart. I was in denial for a long time, thinking I was just slipping up a bit, making a mistake here or there. But the reality was that I had failed.

Since then i've tried just about everything I could to get back on the wagon. And i've done well for a week here, a week there, but nothing lasting. So I don't know what to tell a new reader to my blog, but "welcome, and wish me luck."

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

TOPS update

Ok, so the TOPS meeting came and went...and the highlights are:

- I actually made myself go

- I was the only male in attendance (not surprising I guess), and only one of two under 50 (more surprising) with the median age falling in the late 60's at least.

- The people (about 15 or so) were very friendly, and seemed supportive, and they had some fun ideas. Perhaps a little preachy (as in bible, not preachy about diets....for example we said the lord's prayer to close the meeting), but I can live with that.

- No focus/emphasis on any specific diet plan, the group is much more of a support group/social gathering than any sort of learning experience.... but that's really what I wanted most out of it, not another diet plan. I have a diet plan that I think works for me, if I have the motivation to keep to it.

I'm still feeling mostly desperate and depressed... but maybe with a hint of optimism.

Monday, May 10, 2010

2010

Well, I've deleted the porn ads and the other spam from my comments.

And I'm going to check out a local TOPS chapter tomorrow.

I think I may be ready to try yet again (what is this, take 72 or so?)

Abby's almost 2 now. If I want to be around to see her turn 4 I don't have any time left to waste. So I've got to be all in.

When I've temporarily resurrected this blog in the past I've been overly optimistic and hopeful. Now I'm just desperate. So I'll do what I can, what worked, if briefly in the past.

And more than the blog, more than the foodlog, or the "points" or any goals or challenges I set for myself, what worked in the past was a competition. I had a friendly e-mail wager going for most lost pounds, and by god I won it. Competition is what I was lacking every time I tried to restart the blog or tried to restart my food log.

That's where TOPS comes in. I stumbled on this today, and sure enough there's a Chillicothe chapter, and they meet on Tuesdays.

I'll report back here on how it goes.