I have a confession to make — I ate a piece of bacon yesterday.

Though the act isn’t considered a sin, to a vegetarian or a PETA member, it can qualify as such. Gladly, I’m neither of those two. I am however, someone who decided exactly a year ago to take my lifestyle change to another level.

The logic behind it?

I wanted to flush out as much of the above from my body as humanly possible.

If you grew up in a Filipino household, you should know that pork adobo, sisig, and lechon kawali are commonly prepared dishes in the Philippines. Even though people know it’s not good for them, you can be sure that putting a plateful of either on the dinner table is enough to ensure it’ll be gone in a few minutes.

I admit, these foods are things that I miss. Though my willpower is stronger than when I first decided to change diet, I admit missing having to lick the oil residue off my fingertips as I savour the remaining bits of crunchy lechon skin I just ate (If you grew up eating that kind of food, you would too).

Will I ever go back to eating that kind of food? Most probably not. I just realized that when I reach the age of 60, I don’t want to be stuck in a wheelchair, or have to worry about getting a new pair of jeans tailored, or take up two seats in economy class. Most of all, I don’t want to be bedridden as my loved ones take turns taking care of me.

When I reach that age, I still want to continue taking my kickass road bike for a spin around the park, or be able to run a 10k marathon like a 30 year old. Or be able to still wear size 32 pants. When people say I’m already too old to do something, I want to be able to still do it and throw it back at their faces. Lol.

Never say fuc* it, I’m fat anyway so I’ll just eat and eat and wear hiphop clothes para hindi halata.

Whether it’s smoking just a pack of cigarettes a week instead of two. Or eating sisig just once a month instead of twice. Or deciding to take the stairs instead of the elevator (so cliche’ I know). You don’t have to go to the gym to make these changes. Set short term goals for yourself, and the rest of your life is sure to follow.

Now where is that leftover plate of toasted bacon…