Today is the day. Early this morning, I got up and took a tape measure and circled it around my waist. As I wrote in an earlier blog, I know I have to do something about reducing my thickening middle. The longer I wait the harder it becomes and the more dangerous it becomes to my overall health. So today, I am joining my friend Mae in the weareblackwomen.com Melt the Middle challenge. Mae writes the Juggling Act blog.

Mae and I know what it’s like to take on a challenge. About 10 years ago, we trained for several months to prepare for the Avon three-day walk for breast cancer. On Saturday mornings and Sunday afternoons, we walked until we could do up to 10 miles in one outing. We managed to do 20 miles a day by the time the 60-mile three-day weekend trek from Fredericksburg, Md., to Washington, D.C., drew near.

That weekend in May was not without its difficulties. The walk was grueling; the temperature reached nearly 100 degrees; the tents we slept in were uncomfortable, and my feet blistered. But it was exhilarating to walk across the finish line.

We met that challenge and we will meet this one, too. We both know, as probably many of you also do, that abdomen fat is one of the hardest to reduce for women in our age demographic. It is also the most  dangerous fat for us and can affect vital organs. The middle  has to go. The ultimate goal here  is to live the healthiest  life possible. I’ve done okay before but obviously not good enough, as I have allowed this weight to creep up on me.

I am looking forward to getting back on track with my weight by eating differently and exercising regularly. Since I had already started with it, I plan to follow the guidelines for eating found in the Flat Belly Diet book published by Prevention Magazine. I’ve renewed my gym membership at the Y, and a friend and I are going today for a workout. I will continue to walk in good weather. To up the ante, I also measured my husband’s waistline this morning. He’s ready for the challenge, too.

What about you, isn’t it time you melt the middle?

Related posts:

1. Giving thanks while melting my middle
2. Love of sweets still my undoing