Birds of a Feather

When I'm up north, I eat like a big fat girl. So does my oldest son. We decided that when we got to Jacksonville -- and after he left and I stayed -- that we would eat like good girls. We've done pretty well with it, and tonight I'm making chicken and brown rice for all of us to have when he and my granddaughter get here. They're on their way back from Winter Park.

Of my three sons, the oldest is the only one who struggles with his weight like I do. Of course, a 6'4" man can carry more weight than a 5'7" woman, so he wears it better than I do. We both go through our phases of eating well, exercising, and losing weight -- and not. We definitely indulge more in unhealthy eating and lack of exercise when we are together, and he is, like I am, a nighttime gorger. I've gotten a lot better about it, but there are times when I pack in more calories between eight and ten in the evening than I've eaten all day before that. I try not to keep junk food in the house; if I really, absolutely have to have something in particular (chocolate, for example) I think it's better to at least burn the calories to go get it. And I have to truly want it to go out at night for it.

My other sons are thin, whether because of their age or their dad's genes, I don't know. My middle one in particular has always been stick-thin. I used to tell him that if he turned sideways, I'd lose him. I wish I had his metabolism! But he never stops moving. I guess if I did that, I'd burn a lot of calories too.

I haven't had the guts to get on the scale since I got home. Every day while I was away I ate something fried and/or sugary. Tomorrow I'll pay the price: I'm involved in a presentation assembly at a local high school with the board I'm on, and I will feel very self-conscious being in front of people. I usually don't. I usually enjoy it. But I still haven't figured out how to dress this body, even though it's been in its current shape for a lot longer than I expected or intended. Oh, well. The important part is being there and delivering the information. Maybe if I keep up my good habits of this week, I'll feel more comfortable for the next presentation.