In May 2008 my BMI (body mass index) was off the charts - 58.2 to be exact. Now, as you know, a healthy BMI ranges between 18.5 to 25.

With a recent episode of high blood pressure, I decided that it was time to shed the pounds. Fluffy is as fluffy does and I want to be healthy as a horse at 60, which is what my mother is - 60 and equinely fine.

Today, my nutritionist at the Bayside Medical Centre in Portmore, St Catherine, is the picture of calm.

I can see she believes in me, more than I believe in myself. Already, I am planning ways to subvert the programme.

"I can't skip," I tell her, "I have bad knees."

"Don't you use your knees for walking?"

"Why do I have to exercise 50 minutes, four days a week. Why not 20 minutes every day?"

"And why can't I have a bit of protein every three hours, since I am supposed to eat every three hours and a half or thereabouts?

finding a reason

Still, the nutritionist should know what she is talking about, and the next morning I walk on the treadmill for 15 minutes before finding a reason to get off.

While flipping through the pages of a favourite novel, I hear the machine give its alarm, indicating that it is still on. I get back on for another 15 minutes.

In the morning I have wholewheat bread, cheese and lettuce with a cup of milk, for breakfast. I think of having bread and cheese for every meal. The simpler my life is, the better. Who on earth is going to cook up all those healthy meals? Not me.

So, I make a major meal of the permitted two slices of brown bread with lettuce cheese and milk. It was delicious, but I started feeling hungry half an hour later.

I realise that I will have to find another way of rewarding myself apart from food. How about a massage? Or what about a new pair of stretch jeans to display my slimming fluffiness?

I don't know.

This hunger is really bad. But I remember how bad my health has been in the last year. I want to break this cycle.

For lunch I have been ordered to eat one serving protein, two servings staple, legumes and as much raw vegetables as I wish. But, I can't be bothered with all that complexity.

Tell me, will I get half a lunch to buy in the canteen at work?

Not wanting to waste my money I buy a single chicken breast instead. I swill cold water thirstily and am suddenly overcome with a need to sleep.

What I do know is that now my comfort foods are gone (peanut butter, bun and cheese, buttered bread, coffee, cookies and apple pie) I will have to find a way to keep life interesting.

I have eight pounds to lose in six weeks. The nutritionist, Sasha Thomas, says I will do even better than that. What a woman of faith!

Wish me luck.

Mary Creary

To share your story of the journey to good health, email phyllis.thomas@gleanerjm.com.