It was a cold, dark and rainy morning. Sounds suspenseful, doesn't it? I entered the building with an anxious and worrisome stride. Although it was rainy outside, the room was well-lit and warm. It was then that I noticed it ... the scale! It was a frightening sight and even more frightening when I took off my sneakers.
I felt sorry for the lady in the room and HazMat was quickly called in as I kicked off my sneakers ... just kidding! Certainly, I thought, that taking off my sneakers would give me an advantage for a better number on the scale. I closed my eyes as I stepped onto the scale. I clicked my feet together and remarked "there's no place like a pizza restaurant ... there's no place like a pizza restaurant."
I stood up straight and slowly opened my eyes. I peered down to my feet to see what number would appear. Unfortunately, my big belly was in the way and I couldn't see my feet that well. I sucked in my stomach and held my breath. Much to my astonishment and disbelief, a friendly number was displayed. I almost cried out with joy. The number was 288 pounds. "Oh my," I exclaimed! My previous weight was 294 pounds. Another six pound difference!
It was an amazing feeling. I'm below the 290's for the first time in years? So, I wound up being elated the entire day. My persona shined bright despite the clouds and the rain. Nothing was going to dampen my day!
I pondered, "How the heck did I accomplish that?", especially since Thanksgiving was last week. Obviously, I believe that the 6-pound weight loss is derived from cutting portions. I've also been drinking a lot of hot tea! So much that I could own stock in the company!
Anyway, for Thanksgiving, my dad and I went to a buffet at a hotel. The food was very good. I didn't quite follow any "diet" regimen at the buffet. I remembered my tongue was dragging on the floor as I walked down the buffet line. My goal was to commandeer all the bread and celery stuffing that I could muster.
I was incredibly thankful for all the food and wonderful company. It didn't seem like that as I gorged on a plate of food in front of me. Embellishment alert! Embellishment alert! I even growled and protected my plate as the server mistakenly thought I was finished.
I could have eaten a little bit healthier if I wanted (but I didn't) - after all, this holiday only happens once a year. I feel it is better to have a day here and there when you don't have to deprive yourself. Christmas is coming up, of course, and so with it are more lures and temptations. I am giving myself permission, not necessarily to 'pig out,' but to enjoy the holiday season.
When the New Year finally arrives, many people will be making resolutions. Honestly, I do include myself in this yearly embarking of making resolutions. The term "resolutions" actually means "characterized by determination or firmness." Many people often "pooh-pooh" resolutions as self-fulfilling prophecy that is meant to fail. On the contrary, the definition is clear. By being determined to get healthy, whether it is by losing weight or exercising more, the definition is clarified just by that sheer notion.
It is a continuous resolution for me everyday, every week and every month to beat this battle that I've been struggling with for years. Everyday is New Year's Day - it is just like a new beginning. There is always room for improvement. Some ways that I could improve are keeping a food journal, exercising more, drinking more water and so forth.
I am very thankful of one thing. One of my issues relating to my weight is lower back pain from spinal stenosis. I had an epidural and it helped. That is a good thing because I'm not saying I'm messy or anything but my apartment looked like an F-5 tornado ripped through it ... because I could not bend down without pain shooting down my legs. Now, hopefully, the "E" word (exercise) won't be as intimidating due to my woeful pain issues ... if only my ankle didn't hurt so bad.
Anyway, enough of my babbling! There are several key points that I would like to reiterate: It is important to enjoy the holidays by not depriving yourself; making resolutions is a good thing; and always remember that everyday is a new beginning! Until next time ...
E-mail Casi Stewart at casichilstew@yahoo.com. A Weighty Issue appears every other Monday on the Life page.
