FAT TUESDAY

Fat Tuesday.  Finally, a holiday I can relate to, even though I’m not Catholic.

According to americancatholic.org, “Mardi Gras” actually means Fat Tuesday, the last hurrah before the Catholic season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.  In many cultures, it is associated with Carnival, (from Latin words “carne vale”, meaning “farewell to the flesh.”)  Since the 2^nd century, Romans observed a 40-day fast, preceded by a brief period of feasting and merrymaking.

But I’m not here to present a lesson on Mardi Gras or Lent.  I just think Fat Tuesday is a dandy idea.  But why make it only one day a year? 

Even though the problem of hunger is underrepresented, here in America and worldwide, the issue of obesity is in the news every day.  Statistics vary, but generally, the current rate of overweight and obese people in the U.S. is over 30%.  Including me.  I’m an expert on this subject.

This morning, I turned on my computer and an unusual start-up screen appeared, informing me that one of my computer files is too fat.  I confront this message in the mirror every Monday morning.

Everyone in my family has weight struggles, but I’m an overachiever.  My father never let us dine out at all-you-can-eat buffets because he didn’t like being around all the fat people.  And I would say, “But dad, we’re fat.”  He was right.  I feel no shame, sometimes even feel skinny or at least normal when I dine at buffets.  They are by far the most popular restaurants in town. The amount of food that some people pile on their plates is truly disgusting.  Are they justifying this behavior by thinking that this is the best value for meals in this troubled economy?

We all know the answer.  Eat less, move more.  I’m very impressed with Michelle Obama’s campaign to tackle this problem in childhood.  I wish her message would have been around in my childhood, but we only had Jack Lalane.  Like millions of others, middle age, cable TV and the internet have lured me into a sedentary lifestyle.

I wake up every morning with good intentions.  But not today.  Not on Fat Tuesday.  Somewhere out there is a loaded burger or a pint of Ben & Jerry’s with my name on it.  I can reform tomorrow.  As Scarlett O’Hara said, “After all, tomorrow is another day.”

###annie