I’m not referring to the chocolate kind. I’ve been inhaling handfuls of those for as long as I can remember.

No, the M&Ms I’m referring to are those precious delicacies I had years ago that have since escaped me. The ones I so desperately want back. I’m talking Motivation and Metabolism (heck, you might as well toss Muscle Mass into that equation too).

a sign that taunts me on my far-too-infrequent runs

It’s amazing how visual reminders can haunt you. My normal running route takes me past this road marker. It just so happens that the mere sight of this sign motivates me to keep on moving. I’ll let you read between the lines to understand its significance. (Here’s clue: I’d like the number on it to be about 10 digits lower.)

My Metabolism allowed me to live by the theory “It all cancels out” for the first 25ish years of my life. I would eat whatever my heart desired and then do enough cardio work to burn off the calories I’d consumed.

It’s hard for me to accept that my Metabolism has slowed down as I’ve aged due to a steady decrease in my overall lean body mass. (Don’t I sound like a fitness pro? Thanks Google.)

I want cheeseburgers, french fries, and fountain pop on demand, dangit! I’ll be more than willing to sweat off the pounds after my glutinous rampage.

Oh wait, I CAN’T DO THAT ANYMORE?!

It’s been said that, if a person wants to lose weight or tone up, nutrition is 80 percent of the battle – while exercise is 20 percent.

No amount of whining by me will reverse this reality.

I need to continue to make small adjustments to my eating habits if I want to raise my energy level, be a good role model to my family, and have my clothes fit more comfortably.

WHATEVER! I’m getting grouchy just thinking about the sacrifices I need to make to live an overall healthier life.

So I guess I’ll go play volleyball…to make up for the bowl and a half of lasagna I downed tonight.

Created by Heidi Woodard