like big sis...

if you know a little sister (or have ever been one), you know that the younger sister never lets the older sister take in all the fun.  from the moment we're born, the sibling rivalry is on, particularly with two girls.  yeah, you have your "that's-my-sister-can't-nobody-come-between-us!-me-and-you-is-half-a-heart" moments, but your sibling is the first true competitor you come into the world with - fighting over who uses the bathroom first, who has to wash dishes that night, who wore who's shirt (and tried to act like they didn't!).  in the spirit of competition, we believe from an early age that whatever my big sis can do, i can do too.  what's mine is mine (cuz you're the baby of the family) and what's her's is mine (hand-me-down's, etc.).  we [younger sisters] don't believe in the older sister having something that we don't  have or letting the older sibling bask in all of the limelight, if nothing more than out of fear of being left out or left behind.  yes, NYE, this may be a surprise to you, but everything from me reading "big girl" books and dancing at the Rink was a reflection of me making my equality known.  unfortunately, this attitude was also reflected in my eating habits as a child.  though my sister is 4 years older than me, I was practically the same size (if not bigger) as my sister from the time I was a pre-teen.  we ate most of the same foods (through high school, anyway) and I never really questioned whether i should or not.....now my sister has embarked on her own weight loss journey.  and just as i followed her footsteps in the past, im going to follow her footsteps now and take control of my weight.  i CANNOT continue to allow this phd program to slowly take my health away.  i have approx 4 months before my birthday, and the best gift i could give to myself is the gift of longevity and good health.  and it doesnt start tomorrow.  it starts NOW in this very moment. im not going to pretend that i plan to do everything perfectly and in order (if i could, i'd already be where i want to be), but looking at my family members battle with different obesity-related problems lets me know that i need to make changes ASAP!  and to top it off, i can't let my sister look cute by herself :) she needs some company in that spotlight :)