The New Weight Loss Craze?

I hadn't planned on "halving" me along with everything else, but after spending a summer with my parents and feasting every day, I might have to.

I have the perfect weight loss plan.

It's called Parking The Car. I've done it before and it works miracles. If you park your car - or better yet, slash your tires so you really can't use it - and walk everywhere you will lose weight and lots of it. Even if you walk to the bus or subway station you'll get more exercise than taking the car. Add in a few detours for errands and the pounds will melt away.

I've done this before. When I was 27 I had to make a very embarrassing phone call that went something like this:

Me: Hi, this is Jennifer xxx. I have an automobile loan with you?

GMAC: Yes, I've called your loan up on my computer. Looks like you haven't made any payments in awhile.

Me: Well, that's the thing. I'd like to give it back.

GMAC: Give what back?

Me: The car.

GMAC: You can't give it back!


The conversation went on like this for awhile, but in the end the kind GMAC representative agreed that, yes, after all, if I couldn't make my payments, I could give the car back. I ended up going without a car for a year.

It was a tough year in many ways. I was pregnant with child #3. I was soon to be a single parent. I walked everywhere, even in my 9th month with a humongous belly and two toddlers in a double stroller.

I ate a pint of Ben & Jerry's ice cream every night.

But when I had the baby the weight started slipping off. And off. And off. I went out and bought some new clothes. Two weeks later I'd lost two more sizes, so I went out and bought new clothes again. It was amazing. I hadn't been so skinny since college - the last time I went without a car.

I'm looking forward to September - being back in Terrace and being car-less. I'll feel fantastic and I'll look fantastic - that's experiences life at its best.