My weight is like the stock market, a roller-coaster of variables. I’ll follow a diet for a few weeks and lose 7 pounds and then celebrate with pizza to gain 8. Market adjustments! This morning we’re going to walk down to Pine Street Biscuits and you know what that means. Adjustments! Tomorrow is “Meatless Monday,” leading up to beer and wings on Friday. More Ups & Downs. Last night, we were supposed to fast but instead dined on ice cream and leftover pizza. Strictly Ups! Discipline suffers in these pandemic times when you overstock and are always within a few feet of the refrigerator. 

I remember the “Red Counter” at the last radio stations where I worked. It was right on the main path through the building and was the depository for anything edible. Local retailers would bring in samples hoping to get an on-air plug, and co-workers would offer their leftovers or bring in donuts for the staff. It was never without snacks, cookies, or pastries for the taking. The counter was our version of the water cooler where everyone would gather for conversation and calories. It required strong discipline to be able to just walk by it. Eventually, I could will myself past the goodies. I need to develop this same strength to stay away from the refrigerator.

Since my wife has retired, I can no longer rely on laziness to keep from stuffing my face. She fixes lunch every day, a meal I rarely ate when I worked. I’d often skip breakfast and build-up an appetite for dinner. Now, whenever she goes to the refrigerator, I usually get a thoughtful bite or two. I’ve asked her to cut down on buying chocolate and cookies when she goes to the store. Sometimes she just hides them from me. There was a time when she was building a similar version of the “Red Counter” in our kitchen. 

She recently started a modified Weight Watchers program that had us both counting calories. There was no longer a “Red Counter” and portions were limited. I felt like I was wasting away after a few weeks, and easily lost ten pounds. My morning runs were naturally easier without carrying the extra weight. However, in my case, what goes down must soon go up! Once I start going out with friends for fried foods, pizza, and beer, the “market” naturally begins to adjust. It’s not Bears & Bulls that cause the fluctuations – more like Beer & Bread. No Bull – these two “food groups” always lead to scale gains. I wish investing was that simple. Hopefully, there will be more Downs than Ups in my future.