M&M's pack an important punch

As we face the final week of the Fittest Loser Challenge, the trainers are pulling out all the stops and utilizing a variety of tools to get the most possible poundage off their contestants.

Of course, Tony has a plan for me. He explained it at length, including lots of detail.

What did I hear?

“Make sure you have M&M's with you at all times.”

He might also have said something about limiting my intake of water for the last 24 hours leading up to the final weigh-in and working out twice a day for the rest of the week.

M&M's. Really?

We even had a conversation about plain vs. peanut. Definitely, plain. I only buy peanut because they're my husband's favorite. I don't like them, so I'm not at all tempted. And the designer M&M's ... coconut, peanut butter, pretzel ... are not for me. I'm a purist.

Just to make sure I heard him right, I asked again: “M&M's?”

“Yes,” Tony repeated. “I need to know they're in your bag so I can get them for you.”

What happened to Mr. climb-a-million-stairs, do-a-thousand-crunches, run-another-mile? He didn't offer to help me then. What brought about the change of heart?

Blood sugar.

It wasn't at all about Tony suddenly becoming Mr. Nice Guy. He just didn't want me collapsing before weigh-in because of a drop in blood sugar.

With my diet so restricted through the final days of the challenge and the intensity of my workouts being increased, he's being Mr. Responsible. And I really appreciate it.

Back to the M&M's. How many will it take to revive me? Do I buy the large economy-size bag? Certainly not fun size ... unless you're resuscitating a fly. It would be a shame to run out just one piece short of restoring consciousness.

I probably should be more focused on training, but I'd much rather think about M&M's. I'm good with trusting whatever Tony tells me to do and doing it.

So, will I have a respectable finish in the Fittest Loser Challenge?

It all comes down to M&M's.

• Gerry Alger, editor of the Daily Herald's Niche publications has been sitting at a desk for 25 years.