Some events last week provided me some food for thought.
There were some subtle reminders that I need to cut back on my food and get out there and exercise.
I haven’t been running as much as I have usually due to (insert your favourite nauseating-reporter-being-overworked redundant whine here).
At lunch during the track meet at HTA last week, I grabbed the famous taco-in-a-bag, an item which has become a staple at high school tournaments.
As I was walking to the track, STS Spartan Gillian Ceyhan was about 200 metres from the finish line in her winning the 800-metre race.
It was like watching pure athleticism. I was able to sprint to the finish line and not one drop of salsa landed on my belly. Sure, I was too slow to get the picture, but you can’t have everything. Let’s see Usain Bolt do that.
The next day, I had to cover this flash mob deal at Good Shepherd School. It turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Recently my girlfriend was away and in her absence I scarfed down her Girl Guide cookies. Now, my girlfriend eats healthier than I (she had never heard of taco-in-a-bag until last week; I can teach her so much) and I realized the cookies might be a gift.
Fortunately, Good Shepherd receptionist Jennifer Carriere is a Girl Guides leader and I was able to buy two boxes of cookies. Now not having lunch, I wolfed down a row of cookies while I walked to the event — about 250 metres.
I get to the flash mob and it is being led by wonderfully weird phys-ed teacher Terri Roman, who was urging 800 children to stay active and eat healthy — some of the students were dressed as fruits and vegetables.
There is no bigger diet guilt trip than taking a picture of a four-foot dancing apple and banana just after you have consumed a full-day of the Canada Food Guide’s recommended daily amount of calories in about two minutes.
I reflected on the last week and realized I not only have to get back to running more, I have to eat better.
I thought of a quote I heard on CBC radio a few weeks ago: “You can’t outrun the fork.”
However, I am weak.
My trying to cut back on sweets and snacks is like a kitty quitting catnip cold turkey.
I know my lovely girlfriend will help me and I need to show her my appreciation.
Tonight I am going to cook her a taco-in-a-bag…
