India or New Zealand

We like munching in our family. Since we've been married, Kevin and I have slowly but surely been gaining weight. I remember when we were living in China and I first felt my tummy rolls touching each other while I was curled up on the bed reading. I cried then, but I laugh now, because I would love it if that's all the pudge I had now! We've been talking about it lately, and while it's not a huge deal now, if we can't keep our weight in control during our twenties, there's no way we'll be able to maintain a healthy weight in our thirties, forties, or beyond.

And also, find it hard to find motivation to exercise when it's too hot outside. Or when it's too cold. Basically, there are a couple weeks in the spring and again in the fall where I feel like exercise might be fun. But I don't generally go do it, even then. I also like to eat when I'm bored.

Kevin enjoys eating donuts and ice cream, and these are consistently his (unanswered) requests when I go to the grocery store. I don't want to become the wife who slaps his hand and hands him a celery stalk whenever he reaches for the potato chips or anything, but I do want to encourage him to take better care of his weight.

So Kevin came up with a plan. In about a year from now, we will take a vacation. I want to visit India, and Kevin wants to go to New Zealand. Kevin suggested that whoever loses the most weight gets to choose where we go on our trip. "Okay!" I agreed hastily, before I realized what I'd said. What I should have said was, "Or how about the person who reaches their weight loss goal the soonest gets to choose?"

So we modified our plan. Each of us has made a goal, and as we meet our goals weekly, we will be able to put tickets in a jar. Mine will say India, while Kevin's will say New Zealand. Then after a year we will draw our ticket to determine our destination!

It's been two days, and we're both doing great! I've done better about drinking water and eating substantial food when I'm hungry, rather than just munching every time I visit the kitchen. Kevin has been practicing his self-restraint, and several times I've seen him in the kitchen chanting, "New Zealand, New Zealand, New Zealand," and then leaving without any food.

We'll be waifish before we know it!