Gut unchecked: weight struggles continue

Well, I managed to make it to the gym a couple of times this week, thanks to my friends Sadie and Keri, who like to kick my butt when I slack off.

However, I have continued my unhealthy decline, despite those trips to the gym. I've been afraid to get on the scale, but I'm guessing I've gained about ten pounds at least. I'm probably pushing 235 or 240. My lowest weight was 222, but I was hovering around 225 for a long time.

Needless to say, my buns have been hurting lately from all the kicking, and they're not getting any smaller.

In fact, I just asked Sadie for her input, and she says I'm definitely getting fatter -- especially in the gut.

Gee, it's nice to have good friends.

"Does my butt look big?"

"Yes, but your gut is immense."

"Love ya!"

"When are you going to do something about it?"

"Hmmmmmm ..."

Maybe in the fall, when the weather cools off a bit. I am dead set on running in the United Way Spooktacular 5K Run again this fall. My regular readers may remember that was my first 5K run ever.

Following that, I had built up to my longest run ever (except for when I was in the military) several months ago when I made it six miles without stopping. I only did that once, and it really beat me down. I think it was a little too much, too quick.

It makes my legs and feet hurt!

It's a little bit ironic -- the more you need to run, the harder it is to do so.

Notice I didn't say "I." It's a lot easier to tell others what they need to do, hence the "you" in the previous statement.

I wish I had more positive weight loss news to report, but I don't. I know a lot of you guys (and gals) are rooting for me, so I'll try to do better.

On another note, we've all been enjoying the WLIJ afternoon trivia contests. Mary Cook and Carol Spray are religious listeners, and with the help of John Carney, just about all of us here in the T-G newsroom have maxed out with three entries in the box for winning the big prize -- a summer grilling package.

I hope one of us gets lucky, but it would really be special if Carney won. After all, he's known every answer so far.

I've actually gotten lucky with a few wild guesses, but John is definitely the master when it comes to useless trivia. Next time I play Trivial Pursuit, I want him on my team.

By the way, Saturday is the 12th annual Duck River Clean-up, and I want to see you out there. Registration is at 7:30 a.m. at Riverwalk Park in Shelbyville, behind Shelbyville Power.

If you come down there and see me, you will have a chance to join the John Philleo butt-kicking club, so I expect to hear plenty of people to get back up off my duff and get busy with my weight loss program again.

I also wanted to thank all the readers who suggested places for me to go hike after my recent column about Fall Creek Falls.

The overwhelming majority of comments said I should go to Savage Gulf State Natural Area and see the Stone Door, so I plan to do that over the Fourth of July holiday.

I'll tell you about my experience in two weeks, and I hope everyone has a safe holiday.

-- John Philleo is editor of the Times-Gazette. He can be reached by e-mail at editor@t-g.com.