October 28, 2004
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They stood there, the three of them. One held the calculator, one held the lunchmeat, and one read aloud from the piece of paper. The mother holding the lunchmeat seemed the most confused. I immediately thought of that joke about taking three to change a light bulb. From the looks of things these people were trying to get a handle on their new diet.
I remembered that trip to the grocery store following our first Weight-Watchers meeting. After going up and down the isles, book in hand, we discovered there was nothing we could eat without exceeding the allotted points. This was bullshit. I recognized someone from the meeting and accosted him when I saw hamburger in his cart. “Why do you get to eat that,” I demanded. Knowing my frustration, he smiled. “Because tonight I reached my goal.”
My daughter and I were going to Florida in a month and wanted to drop ten pounds. She talked me into joining, and I’m really glad we did because it taught me a new way to eat. I think kids should be getting nutrition classes in school. With so many people eating Atkins and a new generation surviving on processed foods, I think it’s just a matter of time before people’s bodies quit functioning the way they should. When I see an older woman, in her 80′s, looking pretty good, I always ask what she eats. “Do you drink a lot of water? How about exercise? Do you drink alcohol?” Invariably they report that exercise is regular, alcohol is rare, and they don’t eat much meat. Typically they grew with with a garden and still eat lots of vegetables. Just a little survey I do.
I have moved across town, to a less desirable city. The grocery stores, and I knew this before I moved because I went to check the produce, are a real step down. I have to really shop around now, getting meat one place and vegetables in another. The good news though is that things are cheaper over here. I am looking into a club where you all go in together to buy organic. There is no such thing at these stores. People’s skin reflect it, too. It looks like everyone still eat doughnuts over here. In fact, I just remembered that the first Krispy Creme went up near here. The demographics were right. People from the west side were taking orders and driving 40 minutes to get those doughnuts. I guess while you stood in the long line, you’d be treated to one, just out of the oven. My youngest daughter’s friend talked her mother into making the three-hour trip, and I got my order in. It was sinful how light and sweet and creamy a doughnut could be. I ate three in a row and haven’t had one since.
Comments (8)
Oh no! I hadn’t read this before I posted. I hope I don’t make your diet day any worse! Just think – Florida will be soooo worth it!
In my kid’s primary school the headmistress (very very fat but that’s no sin here in the West Indies) said that she did not want to see the children bringing in sweets and candies and anything sugar-laden which was so bad for them. Crisps, chips, fried chicken, patties, that was all ok, lol.
Ah, diets… have to admit I read Atkins 30 years ago, and changed my eating patterns, only watching carbs – not eliminating them, just not overdoing – not worrying about eating anything else, never counting calories, and I’ve always been a size 8, am very healthy, am told I look 10 years younger than I am, so, don’t know, it works for some people I guess. The key is to find what works for you – that you’re eating food you love and are comfortable in your body.
BTW, hon, my original post was only to ask for your impressions in a comment, later in the day I went back and added the dimensions, materials, location of the drawing, my finding it quite liveable… and I’d still like to know your whatever whatever… if you want, that is.
I, too, have used the Atkins plan to lose weight and maintain it…but not with the extremes most people associate with the first part of the diet. I cheat all the time and feel terrible doing it…I found out I’m sensitive to yeast.
sigh
And, of course, I love bread…Give me doughnuts and I’m in heaven!
lol
Yeah, I just do what works for me. I have better sleep, better hair and skin…and I’ve been doing this for about two years.
I had great grandparents that lived til their late nineties…eaters of fat, drinkers of wiskeys and smokers of tobacco!
One never knows…but I’m not going to stress over it…we all die, in the end. *smile*
Peace and Love…GFW
I do not follow any particular diet but I belive in moderation in everything ( at least most of the times). That works for me.
I have to say I was confise by your comment, but don’t worry about it. And don’t stop commenting. I have never had a Krispy Kreme. The lines for the openings and things are just absurd. I don’t need to add more crap to my diet and I would surely love Krispy Kreme.
I never could do WW. I have succeeded in making healthier choices and really eating normal portion sizes instead of American portion sizes. LOL! I also follow the Dolly Parton theory of eating a piece of cake if I want but that is it. Not eating the whole mess.
WW is an awesome program. The mentality of having to adjust your eating is something that a WWer needs to be ready for. If you aren’t ready you will never succeed.