I just reread my first entry from back in April. Such enthusiasm and commitment. Well, I said it, wrote it down and I’m sticking with it. Again I’m approaching the half way mark, in good spirits and, I believe, without gimmicks. Will I make it beyond the so far elusive 180-pound barrier?
Yesterday, like most Thursdays just before 7 pm, I was waiting in Griffith Park for the regular hiking crowd to arrive for an awesome midweek break from the desk in friendly company. Yesterday, I had extra time and stretched out on the little park bench under a California Live Oak tree where we always gather before the hike.
It’s been seven weeks since my last entry. I just did a double take and recounted the weeks on the calendar. Seven weeks is a long time. I didn’t think it had been this long. On the upside, Jeff and I had a wonderful trip to Germany and France. Lots of new things to see and good food to eat.
Last night I was high on the best drug I know. Endorphins. Coming up to the top of Mt. Hollywood in Griffith Park, I had worked my system long and hard enough to get to the pleasant cruise stage that some call “the second wind.” I’m pretty sure it’s a left over from the times our ancestors had to run from the saber tooth tiger and not making it had only one out come.
Thursday: It had to happen at some point. It was just going too well. Somebody told me that keeping to a sensible eating plan was simply a matter of will power. Hmm, I think I’ve just run flat out of will.
It occurred to me this morning that I sometimes see my body like this big ocean liner that I steer through life. No matter how frantically I turn the till, she just won’t turn on the spot. Though if I use a light touch, keep a good look ahead and just take my time, she takes me to just about anywhere I want to go.
Today is a very happy day. With the California Supreme Court ruling marriage for gay and lesbian couples has become a reality. The pleasure might be temporarily but I’m willing to put my faith in the California electorate.
“That apple pie looks really good. So does the cherry pie.” – “But I already had a muffin in the morning. Ok, a muffin and a half. I hadn’t planned on eating that either.” – “No, you don’t NEED to eat the pie. You want to stick to your diet. Remember, you want to lose weight.” – “How will you feel once you finished it? How will you feel tomorrow morning when you step on the scale?” – “I really, really want that pie!”
Few guys would get excited about losing an inch on a critical body part. Well, I’m happy to say that in the two weeks since I’ve started, I lost an inch around the middle. While my ass saw a little shrinkage too, my waist-to-hip ration “inched” closer to my goal of 0.92. That’s progress in cold, hard numbers. Still, I need all the encouragement I can find in the daily battle with my growling stomach.
After the first week, I think I’ve discovered why people lose weight on the Abs Diet. It’s not a whole lot of food! Yes, you do get to eat six meals a day. Though the flowering prose of the book might lead you to believe you’ll be filling your belly like you don’t know how to spell the word diet. Reality looks a bit different.
Rolf Danner 