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Losing
weight by working for a dog
is good idea which hasn't worked
By Elliott Brack
editor and publisher
GwinnettForum.com
SEPT. 3, 2002 -- You've probably heard this from your doctor: "You
need to lose ____ pounds." Once when the doctor told me this,
I cut out Coca-Colas. Zip! There went 15 pounds, with only that
change in my diet. I was smiling.
But over the years, you may have also felt the Fat Creep. So over
the last few visits, I have heard the doctor say: "Hmmmm. You
probably need to take off 15 pounds."
"Again," he probably should have added.
Finally, all that "hmmmmmming" had its effect, and we
were serious about losing 15 pounds, through more effective eating.
But that was nearly a year ago. We even thought we had a remedy
and sure-fire way to lose 15 pounds.
You see, our dog, Reilly, the feist, died last spring, and we put
upon ourselves the goal of not getting another dog until we lost
those 15 pounds. Really wanting another dog, we figured we would
work hard toward that goal. And we have. But our weight has been
nothing if not stable, for the weight seldom wavered, not gaining,
but not losing either.
We had to find a better way, for this wasn't working and a dog
was no closer.
(Several people suggested getting the dog first, and when exercising
him properly, might take off the weight. But no. We wouldn't get
caught in that circle, and still have the 15 pounds. We would take
the weight off first.)
But so far, no weight loss, and hence, no dog yet. What to do?
It was my wife who suggested walking, not when we could "find
time," or just at any time we might decide to, but at a specific
time. She suggested rising each day, basically at 6 or 6:30 a.m.
She even said she would accompany me on these jaunts. It was a novel
and creative idea, to walk just as you awoke, before you were tired,
hence you couldn't back off so easily.
So we started, slowly at first, going just around the block, about
a half mile. That was more than eight weeks ago. We built up to
1.2 miles, and most recently, went into a "Figure eight"
around our neighborhood, now up to 1.5 miles. It takes about 30
minutes, and the pace is comfortable yet pushes us. Small hills
become big hills when you are huffing and puffing!
Guess what? After all these eight weeks, we can report a change
in my weight.
Up two pounds. My wife's weight remains the same.
No loss, you note. Some tell us that we're building muscle now,
which weighs more than fat. They say that after a while, we will
see the weight start down after a continual period of daily walking.
We sure hope so. For up until now, the walking merely adds, not
drops, pounds. We would even settle for dropping ounces!
This reminds me of those who say that they gain weight when they
stop smoking. But no -- scientific research has found that instead
of it being dropping smoking that adds pounds, most new non-smokers
(especially among young girls) add weight because they eat more
when they are not smoking.
Maybe that's happening to us. Though we try to watch the food intake,
perhaps all that walking is driving the taste buds, and we're eating
more.
As you realize, we are still at quite a distance (17 pounds now)
of adopting a new dog. But we're walking, and in one sense, it's
getting easier.
The weight remains. We can't stop drinking Cokes again; we've already
done that. And we've already cutting down on eating.
We need help. Send suggestions. We want another dog around the
house. Help!
FEEDBACK:
9/3: Says GwinnettForum
allows readers to make discoveries through information
Editor, the Forum:
I admit to being a bit conservative in my estimates regarding the
anticipated
margin of victory for John (Linder). However, I never imagined the
voting differential to be so great. I suspect few did.
Regarding your thoughts about the incumbents returning to office
as a clear signal from the people that they are satisfied with the
current government and educational infrastructure, I would like
to offer another perspective.
The new candidates running for the two district seats on the Gwinnett
County School Board apparently had already polarized many of their
constituents. Personal crusades often drive individuals to attempt
displacing officials who do not recognize nor validate their concerns.
Which is fine!
However, one must be careful how issues are both presented and/or
communicated to the public at-large. There is no room for emotion...only
controlled passion.
The seat for Commissioner was orchestrated in a similar fashion.
You had an incumbent who represented his district with a clear and
honest message: growth is good for Gwinnett County.
On the other hand, you had a highly emotional and overzealous homeowner
activist who viewed the current and future needs of Gwinnett (without
true vision) from 10,000 feet. Although balance is always preferred
to single-mindedness, in this case, the Gwinnett BOC retained an
individual who understands what makes Gwinnett County a great place
to live.
Thanks again for allowing the readers to make discoveries through
qualified information.
-- Tony Arakawa, Berkeley Lake
9/3: Finds site against
president's saber-rattling
Editor, the Forum:
I make reference again to Bush's saber-rattling, and projected
war with Iraq. A retired Presbyterian minister, whom I highly regard,
has put me in touch with the "Moveon" organization, which
takes a strong stand against Bush's proposed unilateral action.
You may already be familiar with these efforts, but in case not,
suggest you visit their web site at http://www.moveon.org/nowar/
I have signed the petition. I would be interested in your response.
-- Bill Crosland, Sugar Hill
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Old time message makes
a lot of sense
"BROTHER SPEEDERS,
LET'S REHEARSE.
ALL TOGETHER,
GOOD MORNING NURSE!
BURMA - SHAVE!"
--From Vic Nickelson, Dacula
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