Why watermelon?

Could I eat a whole pie all by myself?

A whole watermelon?

An entire half-gallon of ice cream?

I’ve always had such thoughts through the years, but never took the steps to find out the answer. Recently I was eating some watermelon that tasted particularly yummy and refreshing, and I started wondering again about watermelon. Could I eat a whole watermelon all by myself? Hrmm… I tried putting the thought out of my head, but every time I’d pass the box of watermelons at the grocery store, I’d size them up and really ponder whether I could do it or not.

Seeing as I’ve got a good sense of humor and sense of fun, I decided to use pregnancy as an excuse to give it a try. Because seriously, how funny would that be, years from now, to be able to say that I was able to eat a whole watermelon all by myself. And not just a personal-sized one…a full watermelon.

I was off work on Tuesday, so I decided that was the day. I purchased a watermelon that ended up being 13.8 pounds and 12 inches long. I cut it into wedges, piled them up in a bowl, and sat down at my computer (so I could be entertained while taking on the challenge) to begin eating.

I will admit…it was not easy. About halfway through, I really began to wonder if I would be able to do it, and I did think about giving up a few times. But I pressed on. I had no real time limit other than just finishing it that afternoon, so I just went at my own pace so as not to make myself sick.

So…3.5 hours later I finished the entire watermelon. I weighed the rind, which was 6.4 pounds (with the plastic bowl included), so I consumed 7.4 pounds of watermelon. I felt full, but most of all, I was surprised by how TIRED I was of chewing by the time I finished. I’d weighed myself before and after, and was up 4.8 pounds. But the funny thing? When I weighed myself the next morning, I was 0.2 pounds LESS than my starting weight before eating the watermelon. I certainly don’t recommend it as a long-term weight-loss solution, though. 🙂 I did have to pee quite often for the few hours after I finished, but by about 7 or 8 p.m. I was fine and in fact, I think I woke up only once to pee overnight — when I’m typically averaging about 4 or 5 times a night now (and average about 2-3 times a night when not pregnant).

Now I can say I did it. I ate a whole watermelon all by myself. Yes, I realize I’m completely ridiculous, but at least I had fun with it!!