2024-03-21 —
When the scale hit 203 today, I resolved to lose weight.
My biggest challenge may be that I hate planning, timetables, and schedules. I like having my options open at all times. More than that, I love the idea of the unfettered life, doing what I want when I want. Yes, yes, I know. Not planning merely means that I am a creature of habit, that what I want to do today is what I did yesterday, to watch late-night sci-fi movies while munching on whatever I can find in the cupboard.
Lose weight? My culture suggests a sensible diet, regular exercise, and regular sleep habits, that the goal is good health rather than a number on a scale. The inspirational book I just read — “What You Are Looking For Is In The Library” by Michiko Aoyama — suggests reaching out to family, friends, and neighbors. That makes me want to ask my wife to be my coach. She lost weight recently. Then there is my sister, who I think of as an Olympic athlete in part because she was on the U.S. Volleyball Team in 1980, a bad year for American Olympians because of the boycott of the games in Russia. Then there are my 692 Facebook “friends” and those others who read my writings. They will give me encouragement, advice, and emojis. I could also, if it comes to it, look in the library and, nearby, the Claymont Community Center.
Last Sunday I came down with the flu. Four days later, I am feeling healthy again except for my left hand, which I broke two months ago. Between nursing the broken hand and sleeping off the flu plus the inactivity of winter, it has been easy to add a few pounds. With today’s arrival of spring, right now I can plan to work in the yard every day, perhaps 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. instead of watching the evening news, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune. Will that be an easy habit to change? Let’s find out! I like working in the yard. Sometimes I love it!
2024-03-28 — POST IN PROGRESS
Week One = xxx pounds
By letting people know I am trying to lose weight, advice is easy to find. My wife immediately agreed to be my coach, suggesting that I (1) stop snacking after supper, (2) get to bed before midnight, and (3) walk the dog twice a day. Jeffrey, a photographer friend, tells me to avoid white starch-rich food such as bread, pasta, chips, and saltines. I worked two days in the yard, a total of xx hours, but my allergies do me in, even wearing a mask. The daffodils, lesser celandine, crocus, cherry, and other flowers are all in bloom! The allergies make regular sleep difficult.