Busted! Why Accountability Matters-Eating Healthier In 2010

B-U-S-T-E-D

Yesterday, I received a package. When it arrived I knew exactly what was inside. Last week I purchased a bathroom scale. Not just any bathroom scale, I ordered the Omron Body Fat Monitor and Scale.  It’s the type of scale that tracks your BMI and body fat percentage. I’ve never owned a scale but I finally bought one because I am out of shape, eating things I shouldn’t, and have what is known as a “doughnut” lodged around my waist (a.ka. muffin top). I like muffins; I just don’t like looking like one. This is TMI (too much information), isn’t it?

I bake, and I bake a lot – almost daily. This can be and has become problematic in our household. When I bake, I eat. Whole cakes have been known to disappear in a day. Empty bags of junk food and cartons of ice cream are not daily occurrences but also not uncommon around here. I blame grad school, I blame my blog. You see… Rob is in graduate school. After we put our kids to bed, I work on my blog while he plops down next to me on the couch and studies. This is when we get cravings for “late night” snack attacks. Truthfully, it’s more like late night binging because during the day we both eat pretty well.   It’s not unusual for me to start working on the computer with a fresh pint of Haagen-Daz coffee ice cream to keep me company. A couple of hours later I’m left with an empty container. Then there’s Rob. Typically by 10:00 pm I’ll catch him with junk food beside him. By midnight it’s gone. This is why we’re fat. Some have said to me, “Alice, you are not fat”. But I’m not taking into consideration how I look. I am only looking at how much body fat mass-body weight ratio I am made up of. You can be skinny and still be unhealthy – did you know that? And for the record, I’m not skinny, just average.

When I stepped onto the scale I saw that I weigh more today than I did at my heaviest while pregnant with my son. But my weight wasn’t what concerned me. It was how high my BMI (Body Mass Index) and body fat percentage numbers were. It was downright scary. According to the scale manual and World Health Organization, my body fat percentage for my height and weight is rated in the “VERY HIGH” range. Not just high but “VERY HIGH.” My BMI was also in the upper level of “normal” category. When Rob stepped on the scale his numbers were even higher than mine. The last 2 weeks we’ve made a conscious effort to stop late night binging and eat healthier choices. Keeping each other accountable is what helps us stay on track. But this weekend Rob fell off the bandwagon.

Earlier this evening, Rob and the girls returned from an overnight camp with the YMCA Princesses at a cabin in the snowy mountains. Naturally I asked him what he ate. Not to condemn him, but just out of sheer curiosity. The girls listened as he assured me he ate well, like a good healthy reformed boy should. But then this conversation happened.

Mimi: “Mom, dad ate waffles!”

Rob: “What?! But I only had one!”

Abbi: “Mom, he ate sausages too, LOTS OF THEM!”

Me: “What, you ate sausages? I thought we were going to try to eat leaner meats. Just curious…  how many did you eat?”

Rob: Delayed pause. In a guilty-as-charged-but-will-never-admit-guilt voice tone, “Girls, why are you throwing Dad under the bus? Oh my gosh, I am being thrown under the bus!!”

His brief moment of silence said everything.  And just like that, Rob was B-U-S-T-E-D. {Disclaimer:  Because I don’t want this conversation to be taken out of context, the above Waffle-Sausage scandal wasn’t the least bit serious but in reality a very humorous moment leaving everyone in laughter.}

Shortly after I grabbed my new scale and programmed Rob’s profile into it. Very lovingly I had him step right on. His weight was the highest it’s ever been (just like me), but his body fat mass and BMI were both in the dangerously very high ranges. His numbers didn’t surprise either of us because a couple of months ago, his doctor also warned him of his levels at his annual check-up. However, I think tonight was a reality check for both of us. We have 3 kids and we need to remain healthy so we can enjoy them for as long as possible.

So where do we go from here? For starters, we are holding each other accountable to exercising regularly and eating healthier. Occasionally I may report our progress here. I don’t plan on doing a specific diet or exercise plan because this would not work with us (trust me, I speak from experience). Instead we are both taking baby steps – beginning with eliminating late night junk food binging and getting to the gym more often. Instead of us both eating 3 slices of cake late in the night, I am limiting it to just 1. Yes, I realized I just said we would eliminate late night binging, I never said we would stop eating the foods we love. We are going to practice moderation.

According to the scale at the gym, I have lost 1.5 pound in the last 2 weeks – off to a great start in my opinion. Although it may not be very much, it’s progress. And some progress is better than none; and certainly better than putting on more weight.

My ultimate goal is to be healthier. I would like to see my BMI and body fat percentage to be well within the normal range levels. As a benefit, if my muffin top also vanishes you won’t hear me complaining.

Anyone else out there making baby step changes to the way you eat this New Year? If so, share what you’re doing in the comment section below. {Please be kind to not leave any comments selling or promoting nutritional services or products. Thank you!}

Tagged as: Weight-Loss