Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 20, 2004

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 20, 2004

Tiger Living – An Update

Short Stories From 10 Years Ago – September 20, 2004 – How time flies. By now I should be almost through the “cub” stage of my new life and charging full throttle around town as a tiger. If that was the case, my days of living as a chicken would be at an end.

As of today – one month into a more sensible way of eating, exercising and living – I’m somewhere in between a chicken and a tiger, and I’ve decided that’s okay! Change does not come easily to a middle-aged babe. I’m no longer fighting it and I’m trying not to have unrealistic expectations. I know this is going to take time – hence the year long commitment to change.

However, the good news is that I am making some progress. I’m deliberately not weighing myself. I know where I started and I know where I’m headed, and I’m not going to set myself up with a weekly weigh- in. I have made small, subtle changes and they will take time to manifest. For instance – I’m eating smaller portions. I know that doesn’t sound like a lot but it makes a difference in calories consumed. I always buy uncut bread from the grocery store bake shop. I used to cut two thick slices. Now I cut the slices so the two make up one of my former single slices.

I’m only putting peanut butter on one slice. I don’t feel as if I giving up anything, but in fact, I’m reducing the amount of food I eat at breakfast. I’m drinking more water, less juice, eating more fruit and vegetables, less pasta, more yogurt, less chocolate (I really could bankrupt a chocolate factory single handedly), more grain cereal, less prepared food. I’m taking my multi vitamins and eating from a smaller plate. Sounds funny – but a smaller plate holds less food but still looks full.

I’m having dessert when I want it, but one serving only. I have a glass of wine or two if I’m out for dinner and I have no intention of giving up either of these delectable vices. I have fallen off the wagon, as recently as last week-end. I ate an entire bag of Ruffles potato chips while watching a video.

I didn’t have dinner, but somehow I know that’s not the point. Instead of struggling with “potato chip guilt” – I simply crawled back on the wagon the next morning. I’m fallible, I love food and that’s how life is in an imperfect world

On the exercise front – some good news to report. I’ve bonded again with Howard The Treadmill and we’ve been on some great walks in the last month. I’ve also done some work-outs with my free-weights. Still not enough but better than before and that in itself is progress. Getting up and going to bed at the same time remains problematic for me.

I will probably always detest mornings. I “love” the night. My sleeping patterns are dreadful and my daily schedule is unpredictable. Every night I close my eyes and imagine myself getting up early the next morning. I go straight down to my work-out room to enjoy a walk with Howard.

This never happens – I need a new vision and I’ll work on this over the coming month. So while this chicken/tiger is trying to lose some feathers and earn some stripes – think about something you want to do gentle reader. Don’t make an unrealistic plan – that path is fraught with guilt. Instead do what works for you and get moving. You’ll feel better. Okay maybe not right away – but soon!