(Day 191 / -104 lbs.) A Student of Human Nature

I'm down a pound over the weekend but man, oh man, it was tough running to the gym this morning. The combination of freaking cold air and too much leftovers really took the wind out of my sails- and I'm guessing that last piece of pumpkin pie lodged itself uncomfortably somewhere midship and is taking its' time heading aft.

Naval metaphors aside, it was a good morning once I got to the gym. There were quite a few more people there than typical but not so many that I had to wait for a station. I put in a solid forty minutes before bracing myself for the jog home. There was something weird about the air this morning- it felt “heavy” in addition to very, very cold-- making it kind of tough to breathe. Or maybe I was just being a Monday morning wimp. That's probably closer to the truth. Ultimately I managed to tough it out and make it back with only modest gasping and whining.

I'm reminded of my grandfather. I don't particularly know why. It could be that one of the old dudes at the gym kind-of looked like him or it could just be a random set of neurons firing off in the old noggin just now- I dunno but here we go.

He was cool in an eccentric kind of way. He was a war hero (silver star in WWII), a retired LA policeman, parole officer, and chock-full of stories about his life and travels. He was also opinionated and a little stubborn, and we would talk and argue about this and that until all hours. He would make these outlandish comments about people regarding things I would never have thought of had he not said it; usually inciting those arguments.

He would often preface his observations about people with, “I'm a student of human nature...” When he didn't lead with that, you just knew it was coming at the end because he always used that as his trump. He really didn't need it though, because he was usually right-on with his observations. I always thought is was because of his experiences with people when they were typically at their worst behavior- and it probably was but it could have been a talent he was born with, like some can naturally sing or draw. My grandfather could figure people out. I miss him.

I think I have myself figured out-- everyone else is a mystery. I've made generalizations in regard to humanity as a whole based on my own personal traits- but those generalizations don't always apply to the individual. I don't know what's right or wrong for any person in particular but I do think I know what's right and wrong for me and by extrapolation, for the universe in general. I just don't know what's right, wrong, good, or bad for YOU. My grandfather probably would but it's too late to ask him.

Still, some people have asked me what they should do to lose weight. They see how I've changed and they want to as well and that's great--- I just can't tell them what they, personally, should do. I can tell them what I'm doing but I don't know that they should do the same. What I'm doing works for me and may not do a thing for them. What I'm doing may work statistically for human beings as a species but not for Jane or John the individual. The only truly effective suggestion I can make is that they should talk to their doctor before doing anything.

Come to think of it, can anyone else really do more? I dunno. I'd be careful of anyone suggesting any “plan” that isn't based on a sound medical assessment of the individual. Whoa! Now I have two things I can suggest. I guess that and whatever they decide to do, whatever plan, that they stick to it and endure to the end. Tenacity yields success in the weight loss game. Hey, that's three! Three things each individual can do to lose weight. Talk to your doctor, base your weight loss plan on sound medical advice, and stick to it for the rest of your life. That's what you, Jane or John, should do.

Believe it, because I'm a student of human nature.