The Snack and Sloth Support System
Amanda and I have very different weaknesses when it comes to this staying healthy thing.
For her, it's the snacking.
Last weekend I went shopping and, at Amanda's request, I picked up a box of Life cereal. Monday night Amanda ate almost the entire box in a late night snacking frenzy. When I woke up there was enough cereal -- and milk -- for one bowl.
"I don't think we're going to be able to have that in the house again," she said sort of sheepishly.
"But...what if I want some?" I said.
"Yeah, sorry," she said. "No more of that."
I'm just as bad on my end -- but with exercise. Tonight I went to the gym for only the second time this week -- and it's Thursday.
I exercise better in the morning -- when Amanda can't yet move or speak. At the end of the day I'm often too spent to get much out of it. But I have to wake up at least an hour early to hit the gym before work -- and I'm having trouble doing that too.
This week we vowed to support each other more in our areas of weakness. Tonight we held to that vow.
Amanda called from work to ask what we were going to do for dinner.
"I can cook something," I said. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Pizza and beer," she moaned. "Peee-zzzaaa and beeeeeeer...."
"No pizza and beer," I said. "I'll cook us something healthy."
"Can't we pleeaaase have pizza?" she said. "Just tonight? We'll just cheat tonight..."
"No," I said. "I'm going to cook us something healthy. I'll have it on the table when you get home."
When she walked through the door I handed her a plate of grilled salmon and steamed vegetables.
"This is me supporting you," I said.
After dinner, she pulled me off the couch.
"Come on," she said. "Gym time. You've only been once this week."
"Do I haaaaave to?" I whined.
"Yes," she said. "This is me supporting you."
Comments (4)
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Joe: How are you on running? I'm thinking of taking it up, and I know neither Kitty nor Amanda are into it.
Posted on March 14, 2008 9:24 AM
I used to run all the time. Now I mostly do it on machines at the gym to avoid extreme hot or extreme cold - and because it's better for our knees. But I'd go with you, if you wanted to take it up.
Posted on March 14, 2008 2:13 PM
Like Amanda, cereal is my ultimate vice. If I am in the mood, I can quickly down three bowls, no problem.
Think it might have something to do with a psychological connection to my childhood. Most people ate cereal when they were carefree children, and I do feel like cereal puts me in that frame of mind whenever I eat it.
But now, I only eat oatmeal. It's pretty easy to control my portions, because it comes in individual packets. Also, you have to cook and let it cool before you eat it, which gives me more time to think and make wiser choices.
Cereal is just too easy. And for that reason alone, we never keep it in our house.
Posted on March 17, 2008 10:42 AM
I love cereal too -- but I could eat just as much oatmeal, frankly. I don't like the flavored stuff much though -- cut a little fruit into it, drop some berries.
Maybe having to be slower and more deliberate about it (even if you just pop it in the microwave) encourages you to think more before you eat it -- could be.
Posted on March 17, 2008 12:38 PM