The Diet Plan

Marcus had decided. This was the week he would change his eating habits. No more junk food, no more late-night snacks, no more excuses.

He made a shopping list: vegetables, grilled chicken, fruit, nuts. He went to the supermarket on Monday morning, feeling proud of himself.

By Monday evening, he had eaten all the nuts. They were healthy, he told himself. The whole bag.

On Tuesday, he had a salad for lunch. He also had a small piece of chocolate, because it was a stressful day. And then a second piece. And then he found a half-eaten bag of chips behind the cereal boxes, which felt like fate.

By Wednesday, Marcus was ordering pizza. But he added a side salad, which he felt showed real personal growth.

On Thursday, he skipped the gym because his legs were sore from walking to the pizza place.

On Sunday, he sat down and wrote a new shopping list. Same items. He would definitely start on Monday.