One of the thoughts I had today was about food and grandchildren. This occurred because I noticed that when my grandson comes over to my house for the weekend, the type of food that he requires is totally different than the food that I normally have on hand. He has even comically remarked as he walks in the front door,” I have now entered junk food heave,.” Smart ass!
He knows that his usual menu delights will be waiting for him. Donuts, ice cream, potato chips, chicken nuggets and mac-n-cheese to name a few. Later will of course come at least two Domino’s Pizza deliveries and I’ll be making spaghetti a couple of times during his stay. Great stuff for a kid at his pop-pop’s house for the weekend. But not for pop-pop.
I have been steadily losing weight over the last year or so. I started out at 250 pounds and slowly I’ve trimmed down to 185. At 77 years old I can tell you that it’s not easy to lose weight. You have to be determined. I have it easier than some people because I live alone, so if I get off my strict plan, I have nobody to blame but myself. That changes when that little carb eating dopamine seeking monster enters my controlled environment.
The obvious problem is that I love to eat everything that the kid loves. And Dominoes’ has the best offers when you buy two pizzas at a time. And you can’t watch an adventure movie without eating snacks. And milkshakes are the best with greasy hamburgers. So when he announces his arrival into junk food heaven, I know that I’ll be suffering in hell – unless I enter through those heavenly gates with him. So yeah, I go with it. Did I mention that donuts are really good?
The biggest problem is coming back down to earth when the weekend ends. Especially if there are left-overs. Mondays can be rough and, to be honest, Tuesday and Wednesday can be problems. Eventually I do get back on the wagon, so far at least. But I see what’s going on. I have to be eternally vigilant. Because grandkids make you fat.
Gary Bryan