A quandry

I have been mulling over many things lately, and - don't fall out from shock - but my continuing with Weight Watchers is one of them.

Don't get me wrong - the tools I've gained there over the past three and a half years have been invaluable to getting my eating, and the eating of my family, going in a better direction.

And I love me some WW ladies. I enjoy celebrating when they lose, or comforting when they gain.

I am beginning, however, to not love tying up every Thursday night of my life, as I've done since August 2005. Especially when Anna Marie begs me to "weigh in and leave" so I can come back home to her, or I have to rearrange my other plans to make it.

For instance, I missed three weigh-ins in a row in December, two of which were on the holidays, and one of which was because Anna Marie had to be at school at 5:45 for a program.

This week, I had to weigh in and go back to work. The first week of February, I probably won't weigh in at all because that's the night of the Winter Jam concert, and I have a date with TobyMac.

(Oh, and Jason too.)

And its time for confession, which I was told this morning (by a text message from one of my friends at church, who has a text message scripture ministry) was something that I needed to do. I'm not journaling, and by "not journaling" I mean "not even really keeping up with my healthy guidelines, or my non-CORE foods."

(All of this comes as no surprise, if you've been looking at my abysmal weight-loss over the past few months.)

And, I haven't been exercising as regularly as I should. Yes, Jason bought me that wonderful Gazelle a couple of years ago for Christmas, and yes, it sits in my living room, ready for me to watch TV while I use it. But guess what invariably happens every time I step on?

"Mom! Mom! Mom!"

Yes, while I wanted exercise equipment at home so that I could not spend so much time away from my family, guess what - the family is interfering with my ability to exercise.

Does it matter that I wait until she's playing on the computer, or in the tub? Nope. It's apparently some unwritten law of nature - the moment I step on (and put in my earphones or turn on the tube) she's going to need my assistance with something. How am I supposed to get my heart rate up when I keep having to stop?

And no, Jason can't assist her. Invariably when he tries, she insists that I come to her aid.

I do live in a "walkable" neighborhood, and when the weather clears up, I can take Anna Marie out on her bike, but that also includes lots of stops and starts. The sidewalks are not conducive to bike riding, and she's still on training wheels, so it's hard for her to get any speed.

(Besides, the weather won't be clearing up for another two months, and then we'll only have about six weeks until it's too hot to be outside safely for any amount of time.)

With the 24-hour club, I could get up and go before Anna Marie got up, while Jason was still at home - well, on the days when he doesn't get up at 2 a.m. to go to the auction. No, I don't get up that early now, but I think the draw of a bright, well-lit club might help with that.

It would also give me some variety, like weights and a treadmill, instead of just the Gazelle. On the days when I couldn't go because he had already left the house, I could get up early anyway and use the Gazelle at home.

The club would also offer some of the same "social" benefits as Weight Watchers, since we're in such a small town and I know so many of the people who would be there.

I know what you're thinking - "Just do both! It's just $15 a month!" That may not sound like a lot, but in our current economic situation, I don't know if I could justify the extra expense without cutting back somewhere else - and I'm spending $11 a week on Weight Watchers.

I'd actually make money on the deal, some of which could maybe go towards saving up for the Wii!

(Hey, I just thought of that!)

I TRULY hate to leave Weight Watchers just a few pounds shy of my goal weight, but I think it might be time to move on. I'm going to talk this over with Jason, and maybe by the first of February I'll have made my decision.

Then I won't have to be late for my date with TobyMac, er I mean, Jason, at Winter Jam!