It’s 2:10 on a rainy Friday afternoon. I’ve had lunch and, for the third day in a row, I’ve avoided succumbing to my usual high-fat temptations: chocolates and cookies.
Our company is offering a “Choose to Lose” program this winter. It’s our version of “The Biggest Loser.” I signed up — rather eagerly.
I know I packed on too many extra pounds last fall and during the holidays. At my first weigh-in Wednesday afternoon, I was shocked. I hit 200.4 pounds. That’s about 8 pounds more than I thought I weighed.
I topped 200 after lunch and with clothes on. After showering this morning at the Y, I got on the old scale in the men’s locker room. It read 195. About 10 minutes later, I weighed in on the new digital scale at work: 197.8.
Old scale, new scale. Doesn’t matter. I need to lose about 10 pounds.
My first step toward that goal has been avoiding the lower right drawer of reporter Cathy Ingalls’ desk. For several years, Cathy has graciously provided mini Snickers, Milky Ways, Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups, Twixs, Hershey’s chocolates, and Nestle’s Crunches.
On some days, I’ve made as many as 10 trips to Cathy’s desk. On Monday, I plan to give her $10 for all the chocolates I’ve consumed since the holidays, then never visit her desk drawer again. It will be extremely difficult.
I’m also going to keep less cash in my wallet, so I won’t make daily purchases of cookies out of the
Democrat-Herald and Gazette-Times junk food machines. I like the Knott’s Berry Farm Premium Shortbread Cookies, the Famous Amos Chocolate Chip Cookies, and the Grandma’s Oatmeal and Peanut Butter Cookies. But I’m determined to say no during the next eight weeks.
I quit cigarettes in 1970 and coffee in 2006. I don’t think I’ll ever entirely eliminate cookies and chocolates, just reduce the consumption — and the temptation.
And maybe I’ll find a way to pile less food on my plate at dinner in coming months.
I’m also trying to exercise more. I was inspired last October when I watched the Duck mascot do 303 push-ups during the Oregon-UCLA football game (see the video below). Thanks to the Duck, I do at least 30 push-ups, along with stretches, jumping jacks and modified sit-ups, on the mornings that I get to the Y for a swim. When I’m feeling tired or out of energy at work, I find a quiet spot and do another 30 pushups. It gets the blood flowing.
Eight weeks, 10 pounds. I can do this.
We’re told there are prizes for the people with the highest percentage of weight loss after the eight weeks. If I’m one of them, please don’t make it a pizza party.