“This is hard,” My friend Sally and I were taking our regularly scheduled walk together. Without skipping a beat, she shot back: “You mean climbing this hill? It’s not even that steep!”
Ignoring the urge to trip her, I explained: “No, not the hill, silly! I mean trying to lose the 10 pounds I’ve put on over the last few months. I’d like to wear the clothes that fit me earlier last year.”
Sadly, we’re nearing the end of January, and I’ve made no progress toward reaching the elusive body weight and shape I desire. I had it so clearly mapped out in my New Year’s resolution plan. I was starting to stress.
“Why do you want to lose weight anyway?” Sally asked. “You look great!” This comment confirmed why I like her so much. She always knows how to make me feel better and I was happy that I hadn’t tripped her after all. Seeing the doubtful look on my face, she continued “I'm not kidding. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you fill out your exercise clothes quite like that. Is that a new outfit from lululemon? I know you received a gift card for your birthday.”
There it was. My very astute friend had spied exactly what I had noticed a few weeks ago. My normally “slender” upper body had gained some new “curves.” I’d always been somewhat flat-chested; now I was beginning to experience something I had always hoped for and dreamed about - bra cups that were overflowing.
On the way back down the hill Sally shared a thought: “You don’t think that your clothes and undies shrunk in the dryer, do you?” (See what I mean, that’s exactly why I love her.) “Nope, I don’t think that’s the issue. And I don’t think that the scale is broken either.” We both laughed and continued our walk.
A short while later, over a cup of coffee at our favorite spot, the conversation continued. “This post-menopause stuff really sucks, doesn’t it?” I complained. “I mean, I’ve never had trouble losing a few pounds. Now they seem to go on quickly, stay on longer, and just don’t want to come off. And the pounds drop into places where I’ve never experienced additional inches before! I love my new curvaceousness, but I’m willing to give up some upper body curves to get back into my size 10 jeans. I’m ready to try something drastic, maybe a different type of exercise.”
We bounced a few ideas back and forth and found some good options available to us at our local gym, including yoga, Pilates, high-intensity interval training, kickboxing and even kettlebell swinging (I had to look that one up). Each offers its own style of getting fit and toned. But none really appealed to me, until I saw an ad in the local newspaper. Excited, I immediately called Sally.
“I’m going to take flying trapeze lessons!” I exclaimed. “The “Circus-Circus” Casino downtown is offering a special class for seniors, and I’ve signed up. I hear it’s a great exercise to increase upper body strength and tone upper arms. Maybe I’ll even keep some of the increase I’ve developed in my bust while I get fitter. I’ve always wanted to learn trapeze and I can’t wait to go flying through the air with the greatest of ease.”
There was a distinct pause on the other end of the phone. “I’m sorry, did I hear you correctly? Trapeze lessons. Are you kidding me? Isn’t that just a little bit dangerous and do you really think your hubby will allow you to climb all the way up there and dangle from a swinging bar? Have you even told him?”
“No, I haven’t told him yet, but I’m an independent woman” I retorted “and I don’t need his permission for anything. Besides, it will be so much fun! I can wear a leotard with sequins on it and those cute little ballet slippers to prevent me from slipping. Aw, come on, join me, won’t you?”
Dodging my imploring query, Sally hit me with something that she knew would appeal. “Before you sign up, why don’t we go for lunch and a little shopping and talk about it. I understand there’s a sale at Victoria’s Secret and you can get something fun to wear that fits your newly enhanced figure.”
Aww, what a friend! She knows exactly how to stop me from making a fool of myself by exploiting that wonderful four-letter word that I love so much - “shop.” I’m happy to report that the new bras fit great, and I look fabulous!
© 2024 Annie Sokoloff
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