On the first day of Christmas: A Pedometer in a Pear Tree

We broke open our chocolate advent calendars today. Day one of a month of chocolate. Soon I'll be high on fudge, seven layer bars, candy-cane cookies with smashed bits of real candy canes sprinkled on top.

Every year around this time, I gain 5-10 lbs. Not all in one month, but by spring, I'll be leaning over the edge of the 140 canyon. Since I hate magazines who only tell you how many inches someone lost and not their weight, I'll be honest here. I'm 5' 7" (actually, we just measured me and I'm 5' 7" 3/4" but that sounds petty, even so, I want you to know it) and this morning weight 136.4 lb (why the ounces on scales now, don't we have enough to obsess about?) My low weight for the year was 132 and my high, 138.6. I know, we're not supposed to know these numbers or obsess about them. But really, if I wake up and get on the scale and have an unexpected 134 day, my day is a lot better. I feel prettier, thinner, the best me I can be. Yes, shallow and unenlightened, but I'm a slave to the scale.

So to balance out this extra weight I purchased a pedometer. Today is my first day of wearing it. It's actually rather sad. It's 1:14 p.m., I've been up since 8:30 and I've walked 501 steps (and it only went over 500 because I recently stood up to get a cookie from the kitchen, I should lose points for that.)

Did you ever see the Arthur show where he starts to get tubby. Then he wears a pedometer all day and is so proud of his 1000 steps, yet his friends have walked 10,000 steps, 15,000 steps. I'm Arthur. I walk a lot more in my mind, than I actually do in real life. This makes me want to walk my golden retriever, I think I will and see how many steps I get. I'm a Capricorn and goal-oriented. I heard that poop doctor on Oprah (Dr. Oz, I think--is that *really* his name), say that everyone should try to walk 10,000 a day. Great, only 9,499 to go for me today. He said that and a few other things and his book "You on a Diet" soared to #1. I could read that book while having a nice hot chocolate with whipped cream. Sort of like my grandma who bought a How To Quit Smoking book and a carton of Marlboro Lights.

I had it in my Amazon.com basket then took it realizing that I know what makes me gain wait. I understand the importance of exercise and walking (I do yoga a few times a week), but I like *not* exercising. I still do it. Don't get me wrong, when I finish writing this post, I'm putting on my boots and braving the cold so I can get more steps on my new pedometer toy, but it's not something I do because it makes me feel good (though I do feel good). It's something I do because I know I should and I like to eat sweets. Burning calories allows me the life I crave-- all covered in chocolate.

I think when people tell you they *like* to work out. They may be stretching the truth. I think they like how they feel afterwards, like how they look, like the endorphins swimming through their lean bodies, but I don't think they *like* it. I think they are in a good habit, just as I like sitting down with a good book by the fire. In fact, I love that. It just doesn't put any steps on my pedometer.

I'll keep you updated with my steps, my weight this month. We'll see where I end up. I'm going out to dinner tonight, there's at least 1000 steps I need to beforehand.


December 1: 136.6 lbs.
Steps so far: 501 (I'll give you my end total for the day tomorrow).
Pounds up or down= Even.