Weight watch
0“What happened mommy? Did you just blow up?” she asked. My daughter was probably six at the time and was looking at photos of me b.c. (before children). Yes, I was slim back then. What happened is I had children, and that weight gain, never quite left me.
Out of the mouths of babes. Like many women I am conscious of my weight. I remember as a teenager thinking my mother was on the “large” side, not super fat, but in need of losing a few pounds. So you can imagine my horror when during one stay with us, she tried on a pair of my pants that she liked, and lo and behold, they fit.
I was mortified. When did this happen? When did I go from the slim young bride, to being like my mother? Now I have to say, it did make shopping for her easy, as I would just have to go to a store, try on a pair of pants, and viola I’d got her birthday present.
A few years ago when I was on cancer drugs, I did literally blow up, becoming all puffy and looking as if I’d packed on the pounds. It was one of those times, like when you’re in the early months of pregnancy, that I wanted to wear a sign, saying “it’s not me, it’s the drugs” or in the case of pregnancy, “I haven’t let myself go, I am pregnant.”
Although, when I came off the pills, of course my face became leaner, as did my body, and people congratulated me on my weight loss, asking what I was doing to look so good. I said nothing, and basked in the glory.
I have never been someone to go on a fad diet, not necessarily because I didn’t believe in them, but when you have to cook for your family too, I wasn’t prepared to be a short order cook, preparing one meal for the family and another for myself.
But truth is, I still could do with losing a few pounds. So this summer I am going to take to the roads, start walking and watching my intake. I have never been into junk food or pop. So it is more about watching what I eat and the amounts, and ah yes, the wine. Hmm … that may be a bit harder to give up, but they do say one glass of wine is good for your health.
To me at this stage in my life, it is not so much about how I look weight-wise, but more about focusing on a healthier lifestyle, and with it, I hope to lose a few pounds.
by Anne Day
