You know what best shocks you into the realization that you're really much too fat?
A picture that makes it undeniable.
At last year's ConvergeSouth blogger conference organizer Sue Polinsky snapped this photo of me:
And so Sue and her camera held up a dark mirror for me.
Definitely going to the gym tonight...
Yeah -- where staying healthy is concerned, this week has been almost a complete wash.
Amanda and I both came down with the flu and spent a lot of time coughing, stuffing ourselves with medication and, more than once, ordering in and not really caring about calories, fat, cholesterol or any of the rest of it.
The urge to comfort food culminated last night when we actually ordered in Chinese. My love for Chinese food is just this side of being a substance abuse problem, and this is the first time since vowing to get healthy that I've had any. We did split one entree (they're more than big enough for it and that's a good way to mitigate the initial bad decision) but I also ordered dumplings. Like Amanda caving to ice cream, this was my low point. And I was too sick to even enjoy it properly.
Neither of us have been to the gym this week, either. But Amanda's on the mend and I should be by next week. We'll be working hard next week to make up for this one.
My get fit-n-healthy plans may have come to a shuddering halt this week. But let me reiterate this here and now: I will not give up.
As soon as I can do mild activity without getting dizzy, I am going back to the gym. And tonight, I am cooking our now favorite chicken and veggie stiry-fry (delicious and low in fat!)
Normally, I would let a week of stalled progress get me down. But not this time. I'm gonna beat the belly!
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."
So we're in week six of our "Lose 10 pounds in 10 weeks" challenge and I'm only down five pounds.
This officially puts me behind the eight ball, against the wall, under the gun and in various other uncomfortable metaphoric positions.
But you know...I'm not so bothered by this.
Why? Because today I'm wearing a pair of black jeans that I was two inches too fat for when we began the challenge. Because my gut is noticeably smaller. Because I think I'm feeling better, sleeping better and functioning better since we began this challenge because my body's running on better fuel -- more fruits and vegetables, more water, less sugar and fat.
And isn't that what it's all about?
No.
No it's not.
That's all very nice, but this is about losing ten pounds in ten weeks.
And I'm going to do it if it effing kills me.
When all else fails, turn to weird pseudo-science weight loss cures!
Like these Weight Loss Sunglasses!
They tint everything blue, you see -- the least appetizing color in the spectrum. Look at your food through them and you won't even want that double bacon cheeseburger!
Amanda points out that blue is also the color of our kitchen (not our fault) and it doesn't seem to have helped us...
Boss stopped by my desk the other day. He inspected my trash can for candy wrappers.
Can't say I didn't bring that one on myself.