genius

I don't do the whole resolution thing. Why January first? What makes that special? Unless you're a thoroughbred--then your birthday is 1 January no matter when you were born--it's just another day.

I know that a lot of bloggerdom is talking about new weight loss strategies starting today. I am *always* struggling with weight. I think I have stumbled upon a plan that will confirm those suspicions of genius harbored on my behalf. Stay with me here--genius is often ridiculed in its early stages.

It has been often noted that pets resemble their owners and vice versa. My cat, Beazy, (after Beatrice in Much Ado) is a big cat. She was a scrawny little kitten who gained weight after she was spayed. Then, when I was living in England and she was in the US she gained even more. When we arrived in Russia, we both needed to shed a few pounds.

I did. She did too--but by getting gravely ill. When she recovered and adoption stress mounted we both put on pounds. My sensible eat-less-move-more plan didn't seem to be working for either one of us. So, rather than go to the move-even-more plan, I've now got my cat on a STRICT diet (Royal Canin light, 1/2 c per day). It's a cat's answer to NurtiSystem--pre-planned and pre-measured. And, I figure if pets DO resemble their owners, my weight loss should follow hers as a matter of course. Genius!

Now, this is not to say that it's an easy program to follow. There is a fine line between a happy cat and one who is hungry and mean. Beazy is a vocal cat and trills her complaints (she doesn't miaow) insistently. This invokes the response, "No, Beaze" from me which, in turn, makes me sing Dona Nobis. She tries to hypnotize me into feeding her more by staring at me intensely and then dashing for the food bowl when I acknowledge her or shift in my chair. She wakes me up at 5:30 every morning wanting to be fed. It's tough.

But, I really think this plan has potential. I'm off to continue watching season 3 of Lost (I don't know if I can manage to watch it stretched out over a season instead of in a marathon sitting.) after I give Beazy her snack ration. We've been on this plan for some time now and are seeing some slow progress. But, we all know that slow, steady weight loss is the best way to ensure that loss is permanent. I would encourage any of you who feel like you've tried everything to lose weight to give this scheme a try. I can use your testimonies in my infomercial when I'm back in the US. ;>