Eating better? Count me in

They say “misery likes company” and, like most persons in my age bracket, my metabolism has slowed down to a snail’s pace — along with my exercise regime.

My body is not naturally burning off calories and too many nights behind a keyboard has not helped. Net result? An added 30 lbs of the other white meat, aka fat.

Apart from having to slap on Vaseline to slide in my jeans and at times feeling like an orca, being overweight is extremely dangerous. It puts you at risk of stroke, heart disease and diabetes, lowers the  libido and hampers your ability to run from bill collectors.

So you know what? Over the last month I decided to steal back our slogan from OBA. It really is ‘Time For Change’.

So I will stop eating: Coke soda, chocolates, bread, pastries, excess starch, cookies.  And start drinking more water and eating: More vegetables, salads and fruits.

I have not ventured to get on the scale as of yet but I know what my target is.

On a serious note, I am encouraging all fellow Bermudians to modify their diets. Obesity and weight related health issues are killing us one by one.

A doctor at Lahey clinic in Boston stated that “mac n cheese” is the most dangerous drug Bermudians are addicted to.

Some foods, whether by sight or smell, are hard to pass up. No one is saying don’t eat them — just don’t eat as much as you used to. Try eating more fruits, to help with the digestive system. Drink plenty of water — especially the free water at your office cooler. Do it quick, before the SAGE Commission decides to cut out free water.

We can’t delete a disease with the flick of the keyboard. But we can help prevent some of them, by not doing what brings them on. We are losing far too many of our relatives and friends to ailments we can avoid by focusing on proper food intake. 

I will be staying focused on my goal of losing weight. My grandmother walked every day, ate fresh salad and drank water. Hmm...maybe that’s why she lived 98 years? Folks, if you see me out in public drinking a coke or eating a chocolate , kindly slap it out of my chops.

I wanna live long enough to:-

Be a problem to my kids and grandkids; see Sir Alex Ferguson retire; watch an African team win the World Cup; watch St George’s take back our cup 

I want you there also.  Let’s all be healthy.

Boston strong

A few years ago I took a drive to see one of my friends undergoing treatment in Boston. Five hours on the highway, I topped up the fuel tank and  kicked back with some nice CDs .

Reaching the outskirts of Boston, I had to stop to get a few snacks. Walking into the store,  I swear I could almost cut the tension with a knife. 

Well it wasn’t racial, because the folks in the store were black, like me. Wasn’t gang related, as these were folks in their 40s. Couldn’t put my finger on it. 

Anyway, on to Bean Town. As I am driving around, I notice folks of all colours glaring at me. I am like, what’s up? 

I parked my car and walked to the hotel. More dirty looks. Go into the lobby and call my mate to let him know I’m here. 

As my mate exits the elevator, I see the receptionist call him to one side. She gestures towards me and her body language catches my attention. Wow — maybe she likes me and wants a hot date? Must be my lucky day. Hubba Hubba!

Mate calls me over to the desk: “Look here, the receptionist has a question for you.”  She asks: “Sir ,  Do you value your life?” Me: “Damn right Skippy!” was my reply

She replies: “Take off that New York Yankees Cap. This is Boston!”

Moral of the stories? We all need to take care of our health. Reduce the risks, enjoy the benefits.