Day of the Dumpster
June 7, 2011
368.4 pounds
Change from June 1st = -6.9 pounds
Change from highest = -34.4 pounds
Before I jump into the Power Rangers, let me just share that Tina and I have found our new gym. It’s the Preston Athletic Center on WKU’s campus. It’s kind of funny; I have been on this campus largely since 1996, but only since 2010 have I been an employee. In my entire time here as a student, when I could have used the gym for free, I have never once set foot inside the building. And now, as an employee, I’m about to go work out at the student gym.
There have been a LOT of episodes of the Power Rangers. Tons. The show first came on the air in 1993. It’s been running pretty much continuously since then. As this little weight loss nostalgia journey goes on, I’m sure I’ll mention the sentai from Japan it is based around at some point, but for now, just know that Power Rangers is LONG running.
I’m not going to go straight through Power Rangers, doing one episode per day (or every few days) because I would probably hit goal weight before I was finished. I am, however, going to commit to doing the first sixteen episodes (which will take us up to the Green Ranger’s first appearance) before I momentarily switch to another chunk of dorky nostalgia.
The first episode, aired way back on August 28, 1993, was called “Day of the Dumpster.” In this premier episode, the space witch Rita Repulsa is freed from her space dumpster and goes to attack Earth. Zordon, a gigantic floating head, teleports five teens from nearby Angel Grove and selects them to become the Power Rangers. The teens, Jason, Zack, Trini, Kimberly, and Billy, are initially skeptical, but when Rita attacks them with Putties (her foot soldiers), they use the Power Coins Zordon gave them and morph into the Power Rangers, saving the day for the first time of many.
Okay, so what on Earth could this possibly have to do with weight loss?
Glad you asked. Let me explain.
First of all, Zordon picks five teens to be Power Rangers who are exhibiting the principles we should follow for good health. Jason is teaching a karate class.
Billy is taking said class.
Zack is practicing martial arts with Jason.
Trini is performing a kata.
Kimberly is doing gymnastics.
The teens were also hanging out at the Youth Center, which in early episodes was basically a teen gym and juice bar.
Healthy food options are even mentioned, if you squint a little bit. Right before the earthquake, which was actually Rita Repulsa attacking, Billy orders a spinach juice smoothie. Is that really any different from the green smoothies so many of us drink from time to time?
Here’s where I dork out in a big way, so hang on.
Zordon equips the teens to protect the Earth. He gives them power coins, which enables them to transform into a superhero fighting squad, and they receive weapons and Zords, which are basically gigantic robots they get to ride around in and fight the bad guys with when they get bigger.
The bad guys are bad choices. They represent a lack of exercise and poor food decisions. The Power Rangers are good choices. The knowledge that a piece of fruit is better for you than a candy bar is a power coin. Choosing to go to the gym and sweat it out for sixty minutes is a DinoZord.
Getting called to the Command Center to be enlisted as a Power Ranger is the wake-up call. Whatever it was that made you realize… I can do this. I can lose weight. I can reclaim my life and fight off Rita Repulsa. Er, poor health and body fat.
For me, the trigger to lose weight was the day I had to buy size 50 pants. My 48s suddenly no longer fit. At all. I couldn’t go buy pants at Wal-Mart. I was already in their biggest size. I had to go to Big and Tall. I found some pants. I swore I would lose weight. I did. Granted, I gained a lot back, but that’s an issue for another day. Having to change stores to buy clothing was my trigger point. It was when I finally, ultimately realized, “I have to change this. Now.”
What was the triggering moment that made you realize you had to lose weight?
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4 Responses to “Day of the Dumpster”
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Power Rangers have been a part of our life since the beginning, thanks to my son. He started watching them when he was 2 ( 1994) and still watches them. I like your analogy ! My moment was when a bench broke from our weight. At first it was a simple plan of attack- follow weight watchers and get the pounds down. Since then there has been weight loss but a whole lot about the human body that was discovered. Kind of like new villains being introduced every few months.
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Thanks! I enjoyed making the analogy. I’m looking forward to diving into other shows, too. And it’s definitely helped me stay on track today so far. I think I need that continuous reinforcement to do well.
I’ve been following your blog for a while, and the food and healthy eating plans you’ve created for your family have been fascinating! I really feel like I’ve truly learned a great deal of information about real food just from reading your blog!
I used to love Power Rangers and was instantly drawn to the Pink and Yellow rangers… it must have been the color. I now want to watch it… I think I will. It was such a good show (back then)… I need to re-live some of those memories.
I’ve just stumbled upon your blog and I’m loving it. Keep at everything! Look forward to your next posts.
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Thanks! I was old enough that the Pink Ranger was one of my crushes when it first aired.
Watching it again after this long is definitely a nice flashback to the past. It’s amazing for me to think that when I was first watching these, the Internet was not even a thought for me.
Glad to have you following my nostalgia posts!