I’ve been drinking a ridiculous amount of Coke every day since grade nine. I know it’s bad for me, but I’ve never really thought about it much. But yesterday I weighed myself and am not pleased with what the scale had to say: 205 lbs.

I’ve always been very thin, I’m more used to being too thin, but lately I’ve been packing on the pounds so for the first time in my life I need to try and lose weight. So, I’ve been analyzing my diet and realize that I take in an alarming amount of sugar.

The Internet says that the average adult male should not take in more than 50 grams of sugar per day. Every can of Coke I drink contains 42 grams of sugar. I usually drink anywhere from two to four cans of Coke per day , so that’s way over the Internet’s recommended sugar intake for  one day. Even one can of Coke a day pushes me dangerously close to the limit.

In addition to the Coke I also eat a lot of sweets: cake, doughnuts, pastries, candy and so forth. So, I’m taking in anywhere from 150 to 500 grams of sugar every day.

For me, sugar is the same as love. When I eat a piece of cake or drink that first can of Coke in the morning it’s like getting a big warm hug. For me sugar fills a void.

But I’m worried, however, that if I keep consuming so much sugar I will encounter a major health crisis. So, I’ve decided to quit drinking Coke and start watching what I put in my body.

Last night, for example, I made a nice big shepard’s pie.

It’s full of wonderful spices and vegetables and should last until Thursday, perhaps Friday.  It’s delicious and nutritious. For lunch, I’ve been eating nice cucumber and chicken sandwiches with lettuce, Grey Poupon and cheese on a nice 12 grain bread. I also make sure to eat at least one orange and some carrots with my lunch.

I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my friend Dolly Iris for invaluable tips on shopping in bulk. I got a whole bunch of beef and chicken that’ll last me forever.

So, here’s  a new goal: get down to 180 by Christmas. I figure if I cut out the Coke and walk home from work every day (that’s about four kilometres uphill), and maybe do some exercises I should be able to reach that goal.