I'm overweight.

I know, it's nothing to brag about.

However, when you consider that just over a year ago I was teetering on the brink of morbid obesity, you can see why I might consider it an upgrade. I certainly think it's acceptable for the time being, since I'm still a work in progress.

My current weight is an odd place to be. It's significantly slimmer to those who knew me when I hid in denial under shapeless dresses and elastic waists. But to those who just met me, or haven't seen me in a decade, it's definitely still fat.

To me, it's just frustrating. Lately, there have been more and more days when I'm tempted to just chuck the whole weight-loss thing and resign myself to remaining, shall we say, "pleasantly plump."

Luckily, I have a strong support system that keeps pulling me back on the wagon.

A year ago, I didn't want anyone to know I was trimming carbs from my diet. I turned down lunch invitations left and right and kept my lunch hidden when I ate at my desk. I dreaded having anyone witness my early attempts at exercise. If I was going to fail, I wanted to do so privately.

My family was very supportive and didn't complain when potatoes disappeared and were replaced with cauliflower and turnips. They held back most of their jokes as I experimented with baked goods that contained no flour or sugar.

Nevertheless, it was a lonely journey, and I am forever grateful that I found some friends to share it with last September.

It wasn't easy. My reluctance to discuss weight issues was so severe that I had even started avoiding doctor's visits because I didn't want my weight recorded in my medical files.

When I discovered a haven for low-carbers on the Internet, I was eager to read about everyone else's struggles and successes, but was less willing to share my own experiences. I couldn't help but be drawn in, though, and soon teamed up with a group of low-carbers from all over the country who have become close friends.

A couple months ago, a half-dozen of us gathered in New York to meet in person, and we were able to celebrate a collective loss of more than 600 pounds. More of us are meeting in Minnesota next summer.

While I can hide behind words and share only flattering progress photos on the Internet, I can't edit myself like that in person.

That means I have eight months to get into shape.

I hope that by then I'll be able to announce that I'm healthy.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.