It's all about the F

Posted on Sunday, October 9, 2005 at 5:35 AM

as in food. I've decided to change my lifestyle somewhat which is never an easy thing. I know it gets harder the older you get because of the length of time involved in bad habits. So I have a plan to follow and I'm not sure how it's going to play out.

First is the water thing. We are supposed to be drinking more water-a welcome relief to folks who go to a gym or jog regularly-you get thirsty and you have to replace fluids and water is probably the best thing. But other than that, 64 ounces is a fair amount of water especially when you have to compel yourself to drink it. I mean by itself it's not very exciting or flavorful. If you drink two cups of coffee then there is that much less you have to consume in its natural state. So I have bottled water-spring water, or at least it's supposed to be. That's what I grew up on and that's what I like. The water in our subdivision is from wells and sometimes because of the proximity to the marsh, you can smell that when you run the taps. So I don't drink that, except for coffee. The other thing is that it's not easy to lug a bottle of water around with you all the time. When I'm at work, it sits on my desk which is fine. However my pocketbook doesn't have a water bottle compartment. If I go into a store and leave it in the car then given our temperatures here, it can go pretty tepid pretty quickly-if not to a point where it's suitable for instant coffee.

  I am trying, honestly I am, I can do 48 ounces over the course of the day with just a little determination. For some reason, that last 16 ounces is hard to finish and I have to work on that-after all they say 64 ounces is a minimum amount. Pfffft.At this rate I might as well be hooked up up to a catheter now! My beauty sleep is no longer unbroken. I used to pride myself on my ability to go long distances in a car without stopping. Now, a half hour in the car and I am looking for gas stations, bushes, I don't care I am not proud and I am woods trained.

 It didn't help any yesterday when I went to the hairdresser and mentioned the water regime, actually rather apparent since I came into his salon with a water bottle.We agreed that it

was good for you-flushed you out, filled you up, yadda, yadda, yadda, blah, blah, blah. I know that he is a water drinker because he always has a glass beside him. I asked him if he drank the 64 ounces daily. He said,"oh no," and I relaxed and prepared to be superior in my hard won fluid achievement. He finished the sentence, "I drink a gallon of water a day!"

 Just shoot me now.