harrison weighs in (m)

In college crew, there are two classes of oarsmen: Lightweights and Heavyweights.  In most high schools, there is no distinction as most high schools do not have crew teams.  So, with fewer participants, the distinction is based upon ability:  First Boat, Second Boat, Third Boat and so on.

Harrison and his three teammates are on the First Boat.  Last weekend was the regatta for Lightweight oarsmen.   One boat per school. They had to get teams from Connecticut, New York and New Jersey to come as there aren't enough in the Massachusetts area for critical mass.  To qualify, each member of the boat had to weigh in under 155 pounds.  Harrison was 157 pounds at the beginning of the week, but his coach advised him and his teammates to get to 152 pounds or less so they'd have a margin for error.

Here's how the week went:

Monday-weigh in-H weighs 157.  Comes home and eats a salad for dinner with fat-free dressing.  Feels virtuous.  Goes to bed.

Tuesday-weigh in-H weighs 154.  Looks at me and says "What's so hard about losing weight?  That was so easy."  Comes home and eats a salad for dinner with fat-free dressing.  At 9 p.m., he asks for a yogurt parfait with fat-free yogurt and strawberries.  No granola.  Goes to bed.

Wednesday-weigh-in.  Still 154 pounds.  He is stunned.  Comes home and eats a salad for dinner.  Skips the yogurt.  At 8 p.m., I catch him looking wistfully in the pantry.  Looks at me and says "I can't get food off my mind.  Is this what it's like to be you?"

Thursday-weigh in.  H tops out at 152 pounds.  Happy but hungry.  Goes to school, comes home and I have a salad  ready for him.  He can't even look at it.  I make two eggs on light whole wheat bread.  He scarfs them down.  I see him put a little salt on the bread.  I had no time to explain the concept of water retention to him.  He goes to bed.

Friday-weigh in.  153 pounds.  He's furious.  Comes home from the team dinner where he ate salad without dressing and one piece of grilled chicken.  Gets a sleeping bag and goes to bed. 

Saturday- I walk into his room and see him asleep in bed...in a sleeping bag...in sweat pants and sweat shirt...wearing a wool hat.  WHAT ARE YOU DOING?  I ask.  "The older kids said to sweat so you'll lose more weight," he explains.  He gets up, eats lightly and heads to the race where he weighs in.  152 pounds.  He texts me and declares victory.

That was the good news.  The bad news was they won the race and had to race Sunday....and weigh in all over again.  Prom was Saturday night.  He ate veggies and two chicken nuggets..

Sunday-weighs in.  152 pounds...by a nose.

Sunday after the race.  Burger King.  Two whoppers, one large fry, one large shake, one huge smile.

The best part of all this?  H looks at me Sunday night and says:  "I have so much respect for you doing WW all these months.  It's really hard work."