Working On My Weight

Back when I was 40 years old I weighed about 235 lbs. Not good for my height or age. I had always carried extra weight and had made attempts to lose the extra pounds here and there. After a job lay-off in Key West I ended up with about a month off. My sister had been on the Atkins diet for about a month, convinced me to go give it a shot and, to start walking with her. Within 8 months I was down to 185 lbs. and feeling G R E A T! I stayed at 185 – 190 lbs. for 3 years…that is until I moved up to Fort Lauderdale and went to work at my current job. After that things declined…or should I say increased?

It’s true, when I came to be in my current position, I weighed a stealth 190 lbs. Today I weigh in just over 210 lbs. How can one put on over 20 lbs. after being fit for so long? Because when one goes to work and the office next door is the kitchen, it happens!

One would think that in this day and age things like break rooms and kitchens would be away from the “office” part of ones work area. Well, for me it didn’t happen that way and I ended up getting the office next to the our kitchen and usually, at least 2 - 3 days during any given week there is something, some “object of desire” sitting there on the table. It’s there either when I come to work or seems to magically appear sometime during the day. Some things are good for you such as fruit and yogurt. But in my case, it's usually either bagels, cookies, muffins, cookies or cake.

Sure, I still run 3 times a week and try not to eat those larger portions that I have in the past but those little day time delicacies are a constant pull on me. Yeah, you can say “use your will power”, and “just say no”, but when my carb craving voice screams out, then you can bet I'm headed next door. At least I don’t have to walk far.

Afterwards I usually feel guilty about eating that extra cookie or having that extra ½ bagel with cream cheese smothered on top or, worse yet, taking just the muffin tops off the muffins (I was just going to have one top…I promise). So after my carb-out I tell myself, “that’s gotta change”, and I know it will. Once we move into our new building or when I move out of town.

Until then, if you see muffin’s lying around without the tops attached, I’ve most likely visited your kitchen too!