Perplexing times, sort of

Exercise is often done against one's wishes and maintained only because the alternative is worse.
George A. Sheehan

Yesterday, I finally cornered our Rehab nutritionist.

The quick takeaway here, is that for the last seven weeks or so; I've been a good scout, food wise. We're talking, real good, people. I've even been on a grocery buying tour through our local super- market, to establish where and how the food marketing types often confuse and confound our buying habits. I'm fast finding out, these marketing wizards, who craft the nutritional numbers on the back of each store item, are a scurrilous lot!

IF I MAY BE FORGIVEN a small smug moment, I survived all of the traditional Christmas festivities; which many friends will attest, was no small feat. More importantly, I've become a convert to the Canada Food Guide, whereby Health Canada now favours a healthy portion of grains, fruit and veggies, over dairy and meat cuts, as broadly outlined in the Mediterranean Diet. This program differs from other mainstream diets, that promote a regimen high on proteins (meat and fish) over carbs (bread and potatoes) for quick weight loss. A slow and steady effort wins the race, sort of approach.

After seven weeks, I'm eating better, eating less, exercising a whole lot more...and haven't lost a flipping pound! What gives, I asked?

Is this just a simple case of 'garbage-in-garbage-out' gone awry?' Or something more sinister in play? Under similar circumstances, The Queen would not be amused. And today as they say, we're not lovin' it much, either.

The learned people quickly ripped off some BIA comparisons, or whatever, and are perplexed. So am I, as weight loss is the only meaningful yard stick, that I can relate to.

After a quick huddle, they're now recommending slower physical activity for longer periods -- at least, for the next month -- as I may have been burning off more sugar, rather than fat at my ongoing accelerated rehab sessions. There's some quiet mumbling about blood tests and possible thyroid issues, wherever that is. They're also encouraging me to increase my exercise activity, to five days a week, minimum. Crikey.

In fairness, I'm going to give their recommendations another month. If there's no marked improvement by mid-March, then I'm going to revert back to Plan B diet methods, along side a structured exercise program. I'll settle for accelerated weight loss, coupled with serious weight hold methods.

IN KEEPING WITH A HEIGHTENED weekday physical activity theme, it only seemed natural at these crossroads, to revisit our local Rec Centre. It's time to address an earlier New Year's resolution, and bust out of the Kiddie Lane.

You may recall from an earlier December entry, that all I could muster on that blustery Winter day, was about a four minute walkabout around the track. Quite pitiful, actually, even by my low standards. Taa-Daa. Today's average was about 2 1/2 minutes per lap, mostly in lane two. I wasn't about to talk to any of the new iPod moms pushing their little ones on three wheel strollers in the overdrive outer lanes. Nor many of the ageing speedsters in between -- more than one, I might add, who had winced, grimaced looks of pain across their faces.

Come to think about it, when was the last time you ever saw a jogger smile?

But I digress. Did I exchange quiet nods and mild pleasantries with several of the slower elderly types, each valiantly pushing their stroller in the Kiddie Lane? You bet.

Last month, I considered myself one of them.