Food and Fitness

Food and Fitness

A doctor tells me not to diet.  Just to get more exercise. 

I had a phone call from a man, 'Peter', who was a good listener, very soothing. Nice to speak to somebody who doesn't have any problems. 

My other phone friends have included: the recently widowed, people whose spouses were dying, those who had lost body parts in bombs, people who lost body parts to surgery, parents of young children with handicaps, parents of teenagers who had problems with drink or drugs ... 

 Peter heard my current solvable weight problem. 

And as usual once you are willing to face the problem and talk about it the answer is clear. The reason for that is that when you state the problem clearly, the answer is revealed. It is always plain to the outside listener. Sometimes it is obvious to you who are stating the problem, because the answer is part of the statement of the problem. Having somebody non-judgmental listening enables you to express the problem without feeling guilty. So you are over the first hurdle, facing the problem. You start being matter-of-fact, like the GP, who needs only five minutes to hear you state the problem and tell you that there are two possible answers, do nothing or take action.

The solution is so simple, you wonder why you could not see the solution and take action earlier. 

 I told Peter: 'I used to lead an ex-pat lifestyle, well-paid husband constantly overseas, leaving wife with no work permit in a condo with a swimming pool and country club membership. So my lifestyle was lots of swimming and lots of eating alternating. Now I'm into lots of eating, but no swimming - food without exercise.' 

USA

 In America I lived in an apartment near Washington DC where I lived in a condo with a swimming pool. 

At restaurants if the food on the table was too much, the staff wrapped it up to go. 

 Singapore

Later I went to the Far East and had use of two swimming pools.

My ex-pat lifestyle was swimming in the condo pool in the morning, lunch with ladies, shop or play bridge or go to a book group (until I found out that English teachers can get work permits). Then early evening swim at country or town club pool followed by three course dinner with wines in five star hotel with men talking business and ladies don't interrupt.

 Sounds glamorous. It was - but only after the first year.

During the first year I cried and slept most afternoons because my family and friends were the other side of the world. Whenever I met potential new friends, I could only moan about how miserable I was. 

Then, just when I got used to the good life and started to enjoy it and made new friends, the old folk in the family back home fell ill and needed attention. 

The neglected offspring at boarding school were losing exam edge. I went home to the family and I'm glad I did. 

However, this regime's effect on my figure has been to turn me into a Titian model. Now I've got the habit of wanting to wear my silk clothes for five star hotel meals, but no swimming. So I'm not keeping fit, keeping fat. It has not affected my social life, just meant that I have to meet people who are less fussy and fitness-conscious. 

 But, having watched some health programmes on TV, I'm shaken by the risks I'm taking by storing too much fat. 

Diabetes. Heart. Liver. None of it looks good. 

 So, what I need is a friend who is fit and fun and upbeat, but not going to run away from me because I'm not lithe and supple. Ideally a member of a club. Failing that, simply willing to go to the nearest leisure centre pool. Hm ...

 PS The alternative is the Jacuzzi, designed for people who sit around all day and cannot move a muscle. I've had emails from members of the opposite sex asking: 'What can I do to stand out from the crowd?'

'I've had loads of offers of dinners, but not many suggesting swimming in winter. I feel like a swim - or Jacuzzi. Seeing a leisure centre would make a pleasant change from watching the news on TV whilst running on my step machine. Exercise also reduces stress and increases happiness. 

 PPS Going swimming is a great way to see somebody else's figure and display your own without anyone getting amorous. A little bit of tantalizing look but don't touch feeds the fantasy.

About the Author

Angela Lansbury teacher of English (advanced and English as a Second Language or English as a Foreign Language, French and other languages, aspiring polyglot.

Angela Lansbury, travel writer and photographer, author and speaker. Member of many toastmasters  speaker training clubs and speaking contest judge.

Angela Lansbury, the author of 20 books, including Wedding Speeches & Toasts, and Quick Quotations, has lived in the USA, Spain and Singapore. 

She  has several blogs and writes daily on at least two of the following:

travelwithangelalansbury.blogspot.com

dressofthedayangela.blogspot.com

translateforfun.blogspot.com

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