Fat (???) Tuesday

Does anyone else hate the term"Fat Tuesday" like I do? I absolutely love Mardi Gras, but the popular alternate term for the name rubs me the wrong way.

No, it's not just the word "fat" as being derogatory to people who are overweight. It's the whole concept of spending the day before Lent starts stuffing yourself full of food because the next day you will be fasting, giving up something until Easter, and going without meat on Ash Wednesday and the next few Fridays. We are supposed to be able to handle that without needing to jam it all in the day before...it kind of takes away from what Lent is all about.

The other thing about "Fat Tuesday" is that it represents exactly what we all do, or used to do, right before starting our latest diets. We've all said "I'm going to start eating healthier on Monday (or New Year's, or any other specified day) so until then I'm going to eat every food that's bad for me that I love...all I want, since I won't be able to eat those foods once I start." Stuffing ourselves the day before Ash Wednesday perpetuates the mindset that we need to binge every time we are getting ready to do something good for ourselves or God. It makes us think "all or nothing", instead of the moderation we should have on our minds.

I'm all for a Mardi Gras party, and I treat myself to one small indulgence...usually an apricot filled paczki somewhat in tradition with the day. Just one, not an entire box of them. So if you want to wish me Happy Mardi Gras that's fine...but not "Fat Tuesday". I did not lose or gain this week, but next week I plan to see a big loss on the scale. No pre-Lent binging for me!

Motivational Monday...Friend(ly) Inspiration

My husband and I have good friends who live in Park City, Utah. The gentleman grew up here in Cleveland and has been very good friends with my husband ever since they went through their school years together. He moved to Utah for his career, and met his wife out there. We've been there to visit, and I hope we can go back very soon to see them. Right now we keep in touch by phone and Facebook, and see them when they come to town to visit his family.

One thing that is so inspirational about them is their commitment to staying fit. They are always running, working out, and serving healthy, nutritious food. I will never forget hiking through the area when we stayed with them out there. We went the easy way, since my family and I are not as conditioned as they are, but I was still huffing and puffing along the way. I will say that I am proud that I never gave up...I was 217 pounds at the time and determined not to lag behind. I kept up fairly well, but it was my wake-up call to just how out of shape I was. (Maybe I do have my very own Bob and Jillian...and they live in Utah!)

This wonderful couple runs half-marathons, which in the Utah terrain is quite an accomplishment. Our friend skied quite a bit when he lived here, but he is in his glory in Park City, with a longer ski season and amazing runs. He was even on Ski Patrol for a while. Their kids are all very active and eat a very limited amount of junk food. In fact, they actually prefer to have an apple or some veggies for a snack, rather than sugary or greasy foods.

I am using this story of my Utah friends to motivate you for this week. They motivate me all the time. I have a picture from our trip to Park City on my fireplace mantle...It's me standing with my son and one of their sons, at the top of a lookout area when we were hiking. It not only reminds me of how heavy I was then and how far I've come...but also that when I set my mind to something (like keeping up on a hike) I can do it!!!

Now for my weigh-in: I only lost .4 pounds this week, taking me down to 189.4. I admit that I celebrated Mardi Gras a little too much, living up to the Fat Tuesday name. It actually did make me feel sick after eating too much that day, so now I don't even want to go near those foods! I'm still over 27 pounds lighter than last year on that day...and I KNOW I will not be fat next year on Fat Tuesday. So in a way, I'm realizing just how much more I enjoy healthy foods now...like my friends and their kids. Sometimes a binge day like that teaches you quite a bit. Next year, I will celebrate Thin Tuesday!