Watermelon

When I was a young'un, we didn't have access to the fresh fruit and vegetables that we have today.  We had to wait till things were in season before we could buy them, but that made the produce even more special.  Watermelon was something that we only had in the summertime--and we always had a huge one for the Fourth of July.  There was nothing quite as delicious as a piece of cold watermelon on a hot summer day--biting into the crisp, red sweetness and having the water drip down your chin.  And the best part?  We were able to eat as much as we wanted.  Pure heaven.

When I was pregnant, I didn't have the uncontrollable cravings that some women experience.  With both pregnancies, I had one craving that was taken care of with one serving of the particular food and I wasn't bothered anymore.  With my oldest, my craving/obsession came to me in the middle of the grocery store.  In the middle of February.  Where it was difficult to get fresh, 'exotic' produce.  I saw the sliced watermelon in the refrigerator case and knew immediately that I had to have it.  Despite the fact that it cost more than filet mignon, I NEEDED to have the package of watermelon.  And having the wonderful husband that I do, we bought the watermelon.  When we got home, I ate all three pieces at one sitting and thumbed my nose at our food budget for the week.  So we ate one more meal of macaroni-and-cheese--I really didn't care, as I was in heaven.  ;)  And I didn't need to eat watermelon again till it was back in season.

Now for the TMI part.  Over the years, I have joined Weight Watchers several times.  Anyone who knows about WW also knows that it isn't very cheap to be a member.  I always thought that the reason I did okay on it was that fact that I had to pay and needed to go and be weighed weekly--this gave me incentive to watch my eating.  I just could never see spending that kind of money and have nothing to show for it.  My biggest problem with WW--and EVERY diet/eating plan I have ever been on--is that I get extremely bored with what I'm doing after about 6-8 weeks.  However, I would continue going for weigh-ins for several weeks after my enthusiasm waned.  Of course, this would not go as well as expected.  As time wore on, I would give up my 'good' eating and go back to old habits.  But, I STILL wanted to show a weight loss--no matter how small.  And here is where the watermelon would come in.  If I knew I wasn't going to show a loss for the week, I would go and buy watermelon a couple of days before weigh-in.  Then I would eat it all...and wait.  After the watermelon made its way through my system, I--at the very least--would end up staying the same weight, if I didn't lose a little.  I NEVER have to waste my money on one of those late-night colon cleanser products--all I need is a bowl of watermelon.