In October 2008, just five months out of college, I committed myself to a mission — become less lazy and less obese, in other words, LOSE WEIGHT!

During the past (nearly) two years, I’ve managed to shed 50 pounds. Since middle school years, I’ve been on some form of “diet.” Weight has always been a struggle for me, not because I get three meals a day from the drive-thru, but because of hypothyroidism. In other words, I have a lazy thyroid function and, unfortunately, the medicine I take to boost those hormones also makes weight gain inevitable and weight loss a true struggle.

This time around, I decided to tackle this mission in a whole new light.

This time, I’m not “dieting.” Yes, I am making changes to what I eat, how I think about food and how I move my body. But, it’s a lifestyle — one that is sustainable. If it takes me 10 years to lose all the weight I want (and need), then so be it. I’ve taken my mantra from Michael Franti & Spearhead’s song “It’s Never Too Late” — “Don’t be a horserace/be a marathon.”

So, while I’ve been on this journey for quite some time now, this blog is ME asking YOU to follow along with my metaphorical marathon. I want to share with you my ups and downs on the scale, my shining moments and my downfalls, my successes and my failures along the way.

Possibly even weigh in on society’s view of weight, nutrition, exercise, the fads and stigmas that are out there.

What’s up with shows like NBC’s “The Biggest Loser,” or “Losing It with Jillian” inspiring people to get off the couch? Why has ABC Family launched a primetime show “Huge,” starring teens at a summer weight loss camp focusing more on embracing their true selves than being skinny? How come magazines geared for women feature articles on “How to lose 10 pounds in 10 days,” but have a luscious cake on the cover with the recipe for the decadent dessert inside?

Also, I’ll sit down with area fitness and nutrition experts to weigh in with their thoughts. I’ll review exercise programs offered and assess the stockpile of books, videos and other media hitting the stands.

Is there a “right” way to go about losing weight and living a healthy lifestyle? What’s the best exercise for you? Should you go carb-free or low-fat or follow the food pyramid? What are the risks of celebrity crash diets that left 50 Cent even less than skinny and a hot topic in the tabloids?

And, I hope with time, you out there (hello?) will weigh in too. Please share your success in weight loss, exercise goals or your struggles.

Have you lost a significant amount of weight? And kept it off? What’s your secret? Are you embarking on a journey too? Have you hit a roadblock?

All for the sake of an informative, funny, yet slightly serious blog, that I hope inspires some (including myself) along the way.

About this Blog

Weighing In is not just about one girl’s mission to shed pounds, but exploring the challenges that come with facing the scale, various ways to exercise the body and thoughts on living a healthy lifestyle.

Emma will share her story of losing weight (50 pounds and counting) and learning to love exercise, while incorporating the success stories of others and professional opinions on diet and exercise. She’ll also examine how media — news, magazines, movies and television shows — play a role in shaping society’s ideas about weight and health. So read on and weigh in.

About the Author

Emma Bouthillette is a native of Biddeford, a 2008 graduate of the University of New England and is pursuing her masters through the University of Southern Maine’s Stonecoast creative writing program.

She joined the Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram in September 2009, writing stories for Close to Home and the daily feature obituary. She enjoys a good book, has an entire closet devoted to art supplies and has discovered being a homeowner is not quite as glamorous as home decorating shows or magazines make it out to be.

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