The Decision

I had to reach my first Weight Watchers meeting by 6:30 PM, a half-hour before the meeting was to start, for weigh-in and registration.

We went to dinner at 5. The Lebanese food was delicious, scrumptious. I enjoyed schrod baked with tahini and onions. G. enjoyed the kebab plate.

6 PM rolled around. I had to make a decision: Coffee and baklava or my first WW meeting? Oh, how I wanted the honey-filled, flaky pastry. Would it be scented with rosewater? The possibilities...

G. said, "Has ever the dilemma been more clear?" We decided it was time for me to Choose. We left the restaurant without dessert. I embarked on the cold, dark drive to the meeting.

The roads were new to me and seemed endless. As I drove down a road that reminded me of a road I often traversed during high school, the radio played first Nirvana and then Gin Blossoms. The effect was eerie. I wondered if I had entered a wormhole to 1996.

Finally, I reached the First Union Church, where the meeting was to take place. It was dark. No one was there. I waited. Maybe the "half hour early" was only in theory.

At 6:50, three women arrived together. They normally went to a different meeting. Being WW veterans, they knew that This Was Not Right; people usually arrived a half-hour early for weigh-in, in practice, not just in theory.

We chatted for a few minutes before returning to our respective cars and driving off into the night. The way home seemed shorter, now that I'd seen the roads once.

It was symbolic, I suppose. I made the choice.

Breakfast of Champions

Cook 1/2 c rolled oats in 1/2 c 1% milk and 1/2 c water. Cook with cinnamon, cardamom, or whatever spices you enjoy, to taste.

While the oatmeal is cooking, dry roast 1/4 c wheat germ in a pan until golden-brown and fragrant.

Stir toasted wheat germ into cooked oatmeal. Mix in 1 tsp of brown sugar or all-fruit spread. Top with 1/3 c milk. Enjoy. Feel content and warm for hours afterwards.

Cardio Tunes

Loaded up the new iPod with a 40-minute cardio mix. It's perfect for super-brisk walking around the local high school's track. Today it happens to be a mere 38 degrees, with wind chill making it feel like 26, which means I got the track to myself, freeing me to intersperse improvised dance sequences in my walk. Without further ado, here is the list:

Let's Dance (David Bowie)
52 Girls (The B-52s)
Cosmic Girl (Jamiroquai)
Travelling Without Moving (Jamiroquai)
Hope you're good'n' warmed up by now, because next we have...
Mr. Bitterness (Soul Coughing)
La Vida Loca (Ricky Martin)
Fantastic! Time to reward yourself with a breather...
Mary, Mary (The Monkees)
Girl (Beck)
Fancy Footwork (Chromeo)
Cool it down with...
Umi Says (Mos Def)
You've done 40 minutes at a brisk pace! Congrats.

Return to the bleachers and stretcharoo with your choice of mellow tunes. My faves include...
My Cherie Amour (Stevie Wonder)
Amber (311)