The March Madness of Weight Loss

I am a Hilltopper.  That's right.  I'm a proud Western Kentucky University alumni.

Needless to say, I followed Friday night's game against Kansas with real excitement.  At times, I found myself getting "crappy" with the game and cursing from time to time.  In the end, Kansas topped the Toppers.

On my way home from work, I thought a lot about the game.  Normally, I am not a "sports" person, but I noticed some parallels between the game and my weight loss adventure this week.

Scales and Baskets

Stepping on the scale this week was like trying to sink that three-pointer but it just wouldn't go in.  I have a bad habit of weighing myself every day.  I've tried to break it but I just can't seem to stop.  I have to see the number, good or bad.

The number hasn't changed much this week.  I'm down three pounds which makes my current weight 359.

Believe it or not, that's a bit closer to Weight Watchers' grand scheme.  I'm supposed to lose about two pounds a week and no more.

From one side of the Court to the other

Another parallel with the Kansas/Western game, my exercise.  I thinks it's fair to say that athletes get tired during a game.  In basketball for instance, running up and down the court is exhausting but players push themselves to perform.

I've had to do the same.  Up until this week, I've had no problems exercising.  I'll set some time aside and take care of business.  But for some reason, I've found it hard to do this week.  I've not missed a routine all week but once I get started, it's a struggle to finish.

I chalk some of it up to exhaustion.  It's been a long week and quality sleep has been hard to come by.

The rest has been sheer weakness.  My fat conscience has told me to stop.  I'll get on the treadmill and all of a sudden, I'm tired.  I find the fat voice in my head complaining, saying things like, "You are working too hard.  You're pushing too hard.  Let's go watch television."

I've managed to block it enough to get through the workouts, but it wasn't easy.

A Loss is really a Win

As I said before, the Toppers lost their game against Kansas Friday night.  Even though the points weren't there, I would be hard press to count the game a total loss.  The same can be said for my week.

What do I mean?  The answer is simple.

While Western failed to advance in the tournament, Kansas didn't get an easy win.  Western, a 16-seed went toe-to-toe with #1 seed Kansas.  The Jayhawks had to fight for triumph.

When comparing the game on the court, Western (in my lack-of-sports knowledge opinion) played the better game.  Kansas had a week showing.  If they plan to win the championship, as I'm sure they do, they're going to have to kick their game into high gear.

IF they win, they're should look back on that Western game and thank the Tops for showing them that the struggle to the top isn't always easy.  You going to have to work for it.  Both victory and failure teach real, valuable lessons, not just one or the other.

This week's weight loss is the same.  Sure, I've only knocked off a few pounds, but I've still lost some weight.  It's not the amount I wanted, but it's gone.  And I am still committed to completing my adventure.

That and I am still very proud of my team.  GO TOPPERS!