The diet

Since I retired from Xerox and became a financial advisor, I had begun to gain a little weight. OK, a Lot of weight. Sitting behind a desk for twelve hours a day making phone calls was not conducive to good physical conditioning. My favorite recreational activities were eating and sleeping. I had given up smoking 20 years ago, so maybe I could blame some of the weight gain on that. Or perhaps calories simply find me attractive. (Why wouldn't they?) I had tried a few diets in the past, but only half heartedly. Weight Watchers was actually quite good while it lasted. But you know how it is. At first you are interested and enthusiastic, and it's the novelty of a fresh initiative that drives the results. You lose a few pounds and then WHAM! the weekend happens, you eat out at a nice restaurant, you go for the dessert, and you have gained back everything you lost during the week. To heck with it. Why give up stuff you like for such meager slow results? Besides, why bother. I've got my gal. I don't have to try and look good in order to attract a mate.


Turns out there are a few good reasons to shed some weight. Being able to put your socks on without assistance is one of them. Having a bath is more effective when there is enough room in the tub for water. Fitting into an airline seat is even more unpleasant if you are portly. Not that airline seats are pleasant in the first place.
Getting off my high blood pressure medication is another reason shoot for svelt. I went to have my blood pressure taken a few years ago, and the nurse actually turned white when she saw the readout. She told me to walk slowly to my doctor and get help immediately. No exertion whatsoever. Don't even jump to conclusions!
So, I tried to take weight loss a little more seriously. But only a little. After all, what's the worst that can happen? Heart attack and die, right? Then what? Boom... straight to Heaven, Bob's yer Uncle, how can that be bad? I guess Dena and David and Alison might take a dim view, and hopefully my sisters. OK, checking out early is not considered good form. I'm sticking around for a while longer. So I gave up cream in coffee. At least the coffee I made at home. Egyptians arent the only ones who live in de-nial.
About this time last year, Dena and I were invited to a Robby Burns dinner. This should be fun... I'll rent a kilt. I discovered at least three things.
1- When you wear a kilt, you draw a lot of attention.
2- Man this is comfortable!
3- Fat guys in kilts look ridiculous.
Seems I've found a reason to shed some pounds. I hate looking ridiculous.

I know what your thinking. Hey Rick... guys in kilts look ridiculous. Period.
What? Guys in jeans dont? I think the guy in the kilt here looks way better than these yahoos in the Levis. But differences in taste are what makes the world such an interesting place don't you think? I'll bet you a large double cream coffee that the guys in the levi add think they look pretty darned good. (What a bunch of conformists)
While I'm on this subject, what do most women wear these days? Jeans! So that means these guys are dressed like girls right? Anyway, thats a subject for another Blog.



Back to dieting. There is enough vanity in me that I started to take weight loss seriously. Have you ever checked out the ingredients in the foods you eat? One of my favourite snacks was a toasted tomato sandwitch made with majonaise and ketchup. Mmmmm good! Just the thing to pot a little yummy in the tummy.
Two slices of Texas Toast @ 100 calories each.
Two table spoons of butter (one for each slice) 100 calories each.
At least one table spoon of Majonaise (closer to two) 80 calories.
At least one table spoon of Ketchup (closer to two) 40 calories
Twi skices of tomato - 10 calories (see? it's good for you!)
Glass of 2% milk to wash it down 120 calories.
Total for my nice little snack... 650 calories! Good Grief. I've got some work cut out for me. So I stopped snacks after supper and between meals. Started drinking lots of water. I've gone off the water since the cooler weather started, but I think I need to get back to it. Recently started to take my coffee black. (My daughter Alison inspired me!) Tastes lousy, but I'll get used to it. When I go to Harveys I get one meat patty instead of two. I won't bore you with all the details, but I will say I'm quite pleased with the progress. Lost 25 pounds since the Summer started. I'm wasting away to nuttin! I'm shooting for another 25 pounds by Spring. I'm feeling better too. Told Dena I felt like a twenty year old. She said "Well you can't have one!" (rimshot)
Anyway, I'll keep you posted on my progress.

Cheers,
Rick


I have a few cartoons that relate to eating and dieting. Perhaps you'll enjoy them. Click on the cartoon to enlarge them.