I really hate having my picture taken.

[caption id="attachment_386" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Down 21 in 18 days"]<a href="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_0013.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-386" src="http://mikerappaport.net/onevoice/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/DSC_0013-300x199.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="199" /></a>[/caption]

Part of the problem has always been that I had features that I didn't think photographed well -- my hair, for instance. I've solved that problem in recent years by getting my hair cut almost to the scalp once or twice a year.

But the one feature I couldn't hide was the extra weight I was carrying. I found myself looking back longingly at the pics taken when I was 20 years old, 5-foot-11 and 165 pounds. Of course in those, my hair often looked odd.

I just wasn't designed to be photogenic.

But in recent years, things got worse and worse. My belly got bigger and fat appeared in places it never had before. In a couple of instances, I think, my fat even had fat.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I hit 280 earlier this year, which is at least 70-80 pounds more than I should weigh if I want to be a healthy man.

I managed to work it down close to 270 on my own, but I was still just above that level when I weighed in here at <a title="Rancho Cortez" href="http://www.ranchocortez.com/about" target="_self">Rancho Cortez</a> on May 3rd for the beginning of a 59-day stay. The plan was to lose 50 pounds and go home at about 220 with some good habits established and only a little further to go to be where I needed to be.

After 18 days, I don't know if I'll reach my goal, but I know I am on track enough that I have a good chance of accomplishing it. I'm down to about 250, a loss of 21 pounds, and I am pretty solidly into the eating routine. I'm working my way into the exercise program, which usually consists of five or six different classes or activities every day.

Today for the first time I'll do five things -- mucking out the stables, hiking, strength training, water aerobics and stretching.

Everything on the schedule except kickboxing.

I'm pleased enough with my progress to post a picture of me taken about an hour ago. I'm still big. I'm still fat, but I think I'm getting ready to leave the neighborhood of obese.

I don't plan to make a return trip.