The Ho-Ho-Ho-ness
of my belly has started me on a new nutrition/fitness/discipline path.
As I look at starting my last term and finishing my time here in Pont-Aven, I want to set in place a routine that will get me in strong physical and mental shape before what I know will be a rather disorienting re-entry into the US. It has been too, too easy to cloak “experience”, “exploration” and “spontaneity” in an unfettered banquet of wine, cheese and pastries.
106 kg. You do the math!
Health issues aside, it’s really about the vanity….
I’m tired of playing the “who’s the biggest person here?” game at club Le Starman (seriously, I couldn’t make up this place……and thank god for it!) and always winning. Shopping for clothes sends me to the very end of the rack or over to the “grandes tailles” section of the store only to have the breadstick thin store attendant look disdainfully down his razor sharp beak and mutter “Le Super Sized” under his cardio-fit breath.
When I return to PDX and inevitably run a personal ad……I don’t want “husky”, “thick”, “ex-football player type”, “beefy” or any other Craigslist euphemism for fat to be leading the plea.
I’ll be realistic.
I’m no delicate flower and am certainly not expecting a Michael Phelps transformation but I do want to return and not have, “well (DAMN!), you seemed to have really enjoyed (eaten) yourself (now significantly larger than the last time I saw you) over there..” as my first greeting.
So, enter John Ofori.
John was a student here at PASCA a few terms back and is currently the intern. He’s a fantastic artist, generous soul and quickly becoming a good friend.
He has also agreed to work out with and whip me into shape.
Damn.
He’s half my weight, twice as strong and three times as limber…No excuses, no BS and a rigorous diet and exercise plan have already been put into place.
My fingers hurt as they tap the keys and I’m unable to raise my arms off of my lap.
I creak and shuffle like Walter Matthau (wait, he’s dead) like…Wilford Brimley over to the fridge to have an infant-portioned meal followed by…..nothing…….no éclair, no tarte citron, no crepe avec caramel…….
This is good?