Boo had skated around the fact that he was eating exactly what he wanted in spite of the doctor’s warning. “Your blood sugar is getting higher. You need to change your eating habits and get more exercise, and it would help if you lost a few pounds.” Still, he had his stash of candy and cookies semi-hidden on the third shelf of the pantry behind the flour, brown sugar, and the grandkids’ Capri Sun. I use the term ‘hidden’ loosely.
It took one more threat from the doctor for the message to click. “If you don’t change your ways, I’ll be putting you on insulin shots. Here’s the name of a dietitian to help get you started.” I heard all of this second hand, mind you, and it took him a few hours to disclose what was actually said because he had stopped off at Starbucks for a Caramel Macchiato and pound cake, just a little reward for after the doctor.
Boo reluctantly relayed the information, grudgingly called the dietitian, and went about his way saying, “I’m going to eat whatever I want until I see this nutrition person.”
“I’m going with you to the dietitian,” I said.
“You just want to make sure I tell the truth,” he countered.
“That’s right, “ I said. “I don’t trust you.”
One week later, we saw the dietitian who was a beautiful, thirty-something, tall, slender nurse. She was sweet on the outside, but it didn’t take her long to see through his antics. Yes, I helped him answer her questions honestly. Yes, I ratted him out on a few things, but I saw him really listening as she explained carbohydrates, sugars, and proteins. Almost overnight Boo began watching his carbs, forgoing desserts, using sugar-free creamer, and walking 10,000 steps. It was a miracle. As the pounds dropped off, he started to envision himself quite the stud. “I think I’m almost ready for skinny jeans, what do you think?”
“Maybe just five more pounds?” I offered.
We went from grilled ham and cheese sandwiches with a generous handful of chips at lunch, to baked fish and Charro beans. We had berries for dessert instead of double stuffed oreo cookies and ice cream. We even bought Fitbits. In fact, Boo became a zealot, watching every bite he put in his mouth.
When we walked together, I would come home angry. I envisioned us walking hand in hand down the road of love and health; sharing goals and encouraging each other on our fitness journey. His focus was to walk briskly and clock his miles, no time for idle chit chat, let alone hand-holding. So, we opted to walk separately, allowing him to go faster and me to stay sweeter.
Six months later he was down thirty pounds and looking svelte. I, on the other hand, was down three pounds and sneaking potato chips. How is it that men can just put their minds to it and make this losing weight look so easy? I think women just have slower metabolisms and don’t forget the whole hormone thing, we’re challenged at every turn.
This year at Christmas, Boo finally got his wish of skinny jeans! As he pulled the jeans gleefully from the wrapping paper, he grinned like a little kid and stood up to hold the jeans next to his legs. Even though he needed a little help to pull them on, once he zipped up they fit like a glove. (literally) Truthfully, I never thought of Boo as skinny jeans material, but I wanted him to live the dream, and he is.
“Enjoy your new-found hotness!” I teased.
“Oh, I will,” he smiled, as he turned around and checked out his rear end view. “GQ has nothing on me!”
Sittin' Ugly Sistahs 