Wednesday, December 9, 2009

TOPS



Perhaps some of you have rightfully repressed these memories, but I was scarred for life, as 10 year old, when my mother made me sit in the back of the room while she attended a meeting of TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly.

In those days, the women met in a church basement, had a several minute rah rah session, and then hit the scales. Watching adult women with tears in their eyes, approach a scale was spectacle enough, but the punch line came shortly later.

If a women gained a couple of ounces, she was whipped off the scale, and had to put on a pig hat, and recite, "Oink Oink, I'm a big fat pig". That's when the tears really began.

Even as a 10 year old that didn't seem motivational to me. I wondered why they didn't stay home. To this day I shutter when the subject of diets comes up.

After dinner on Thanksgiving, my non-competitive SIL invited my bride to join her at Weight Watchers. As any boy, born of woman knows, when mom is on a diet the family is.

Saturday, the girls sign up. Mrs. T is in full competition mode. She knows her points,she has a plan. Now, we both are at the gym daily, it's cardboard and gruel at our house. SIL never went back, and I'm feeling like Oliver Twist.

Last Saturday was the second weigh in. Mrs. T is fuming since SIL didn't go, but very proud of her loss. Occasionally, she'll ask how I'm doing. My lips are sealed.

Toad

10 comments:

Charles said...

You have my sympathy.

Mrs. Blandings said...

Don't tell her how you're doing. It always makes me crazy when Mr. B decides to reduce. He has a salad twice a week for lunch and loses double digits in a month.

The pig hat story is the saddest/funniest thing I've heard in a while. Like a scene from a movie. I'm so sorry/glad that you witnessed it.

Kathy said...

The only thing sadder than that was how sorry I felt for myself when my step-mother signed me up for a "special" meal plan at summer camp. I've never forgiven nor forgotten.

Patsy said...

Oohh, that pig hat sounds horrific.

I like WW, we can eat the same things, only my husband eats more. Sometimes a lot more, grrr.

I'm curious how you're going to get in all your veggies.

Toad said...

I'm lousy at WW. My veggies come in a vitamin, and twigs and gravel are not really my thing. I have to settle for eating less, less often.

Kathy said...

Btw, love the winter header!

Suburban Princess said...

Ouch! The pig hat ritual sounds horrible!

Thank you so much for your offer to help with my scarf - someone got it for me! Yay! I am glad I didn't have to subject you to Forever21!

LPC said...

A pig hat? A pig hat? Sounds more like a Quentin Tarantino movie than anything else...

Brian said...

This sounds like one of those memories that should be repressed...

M.Lane said...

You also have my sympathy re WW. A very valuable program, no doubt, but brutal for a spouse. At least one like me who is a gourmand.

ML
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