I had wondered what would make my morning better than having ice cream at work. The answer came shortly thereafter.

A new clerk came in to look for my court reporter, and I pointed her toward my reporter’s office. The new clerk started to tell me about some cases she had questions on, then stopped in mid-sentence and said, “You look good! What do I need to do to look like you?” I was taken off-guard and I think I stammered something about maybe hitting a gym or something. She told me she recently started walking on a treadmill and asked what I recommended regarding improving her diet. So we talked about health and exercise for a bit. I felt a little like a hypocrite, since I had just finished eating ice cream, but what a great topper to the ice cream, huh? I don’t know how this new lady thought I’d have anything to tell her about health, so I’ll just take it as, I look like someone who’d know something about working out and eating well instead of someone who just naturally stays at a certain weight without effort.

Later, as I was walking back into the building after my lunchtime workout, a security guard noted that I’d lost more weight recently. I thanked him gratefully for noticing as I’d been trying so hard.