I have an advanced degree in the field of biology. My husband is a physician. You would think, with all of the medical textbooks on our bookshelf, that I would understand this one simple principle:

If you drink a lot of water, you will need to pee.

Water intake is a priority on the Weight Watchers plan. We are encouraged to drink at least six glasses of water a day. I find that on the days I make water a priority, I drink even more than the minimum. This leads me, of course, to pay frequent visits to the restroom.

Before my pregnancy and delivery, I had a bladder of steel. I could have won competitions with my ability to hold it for an unnatural number of hours. My urinary sphincter was a power to behold.

Then came pregnancy and childbirth by Caesarean section. Now, my control is not quite up to par. I know that at least some of you are nodding your heads in recognition. Sometimes sneezes or deep laughs bring an extra surprise. If I say I need to get to a bathroom, you had better understand that I mean soon – especially if you are with me in the car and the next “official” rest stop isn’t for at least 50 miles. Get me to a McDonald’s, or a gas station, or just stop right here because I HAVE TO GO!

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

For now, the importance of drinking my water outweighs any slight embarrassment I may experience as a result of wiggling and dashing to the restroom. Actually, this sparks a brilliant idea: do you think we can petition for activity points earned during ten minutes of the “I have to pee” dance?