Back in September, at 265lbs. I started on my adventure with Adkins. Being a “hefty honey” working in entertainment (an industry of stick insect women), I was aware that my size was a hindrance to my career. And so…I embarked happily on my diet, dropping 27lbs in the first month and making my “when I am thin” Neiman Marcus clothing wish lists.
High on my own power of reduction, I laughed in the face of temptation. I KNEW that I could eat a little piece of chocolate cake and get right back on my diet the next day. Why?? Because I had willed 27lbs of fat to flee my body!!!
Of course, that little cheat of cake didn’t hurt too much…so I knew that I could eat a little pizza at an industry party. And cocktails? Well what are a few cocktails among friends? And so I stalled…not gaining, but not losing either. Of course I knew that I could get right back on the diet at any moment, and I probably would start….tomorrow or Monday at the latest.
Then the bottom dropped (and not just mine) and thousands got laid off. No one was hiring in entertainment, and a masters degree in television and film production was about as advantageous as a degree in underwater basket weaving. So what was a girl to do?
I looked around and thought….”what does the world need more of? I know….lawyers!” So off to law school I went. Now you might think…..law school…three kids…..a problem with “just saying no to comfort food,” perhaps the late nights and long hours of law school may not be the best thing for a girl of my girth. And you would be correct. Being a generous sort of a girl, I welcomed those 27 lbs back with open arms (and mouth) and encouraged them to bring friends.
But that is not the end of my sad little tale. A story for pride before the fall or in my case, pride before the rise. No, I was not content to simply gain the “freshman forty” even though I am now actually forty one. No not a simple ending for me. With royalties drying up and hungry mouths to feed, I looked around for some income source that would allow me to go to school and still make a living. And it is here dear friends that the tale turns quite tragic.
It seemed like such a great idea at the time. The little shop called out to me…. “lease me lease me.” And so I inquired. “Yes it comes fully equipped,” the owner said, “Yes there is quite a brisk turn over.” And so seduced by the sunny, corner location and old general store feel. I opened <dramatic pause>……an American deli in Edinburgh!
I know my brothers and sisters. The sheer horror of it all. A New York woman in entertainment, living in the UK and trying to lose oh a bazillion pounds of flab and what do I do? I spend my free time making cakes and cookies and importing Twinkies and Mountain Dew, and……mallow mars.
So here I am, surrounded by the best of the worst foods. Stuck between legal journals and peanut butter cheese cakes…..but I have returned to you, deviled egg in one hand and a ketone stick in the other, to once again start on the Adkins journey with you.
Ms Manners
High on my own power of reduction, I laughed in the face of temptation. I KNEW that I could eat a little piece of chocolate cake and get right back on my diet the next day. Why?? Because I had willed 27lbs of fat to flee my body!!!
Of course, that little cheat of cake didn’t hurt too much…so I knew that I could eat a little pizza at an industry party. And cocktails? Well what are a few cocktails among friends? And so I stalled…not gaining, but not losing either. Of course I knew that I could get right back on the diet at any moment, and I probably would start….tomorrow or Monday at the latest.
Then the bottom dropped (and not just mine) and thousands got laid off. No one was hiring in entertainment, and a masters degree in television and film production was about as advantageous as a degree in underwater basket weaving. So what was a girl to do?
I looked around and thought….”what does the world need more of? I know….lawyers!” So off to law school I went. Now you might think…..law school…three kids…..a problem with “just saying no to comfort food,” perhaps the late nights and long hours of law school may not be the best thing for a girl of my girth. And you would be correct. Being a generous sort of a girl, I welcomed those 27 lbs back with open arms (and mouth) and encouraged them to bring friends.
But that is not the end of my sad little tale. A story for pride before the fall or in my case, pride before the rise. No, I was not content to simply gain the “freshman forty” even though I am now actually forty one. No not a simple ending for me. With royalties drying up and hungry mouths to feed, I looked around for some income source that would allow me to go to school and still make a living. And it is here dear friends that the tale turns quite tragic.
It seemed like such a great idea at the time. The little shop called out to me…. “lease me lease me.” And so I inquired. “Yes it comes fully equipped,” the owner said, “Yes there is quite a brisk turn over.” And so seduced by the sunny, corner location and old general store feel. I opened <dramatic pause>……an American deli in Edinburgh!
I know my brothers and sisters. The sheer horror of it all. A New York woman in entertainment, living in the UK and trying to lose oh a bazillion pounds of flab and what do I do? I spend my free time making cakes and cookies and importing Twinkies and Mountain Dew, and……mallow mars.
So here I am, surrounded by the best of the worst foods. Stuck between legal journals and peanut butter cheese cakes…..but I have returned to you, deviled egg in one hand and a ketone stick in the other, to once again start on the Adkins journey with you.
Ms Manners








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