3. Sharing my thighs
Okay, get your mind out of the gutter. Besides, I only have thighs for one man… (get it? Eyes, thighs?...sorry). What I mean is, now I can sit next to someone on an airplane or in a theatre seat and not have my thighs spilling over the edges of my seat. No matter how much I tried to condense myself, to pull my voluminous legs into one another and onto only one seat, it was a losing battle. It’s hard to concentrate on a poetry reading when your thighs are pressing against the leg of the stranger next to you.
And while we’re on the subject of thighs…
4. My thighs rubbing together as I walk
Remember that teacher in grammar school who you always knew was coming by the swish-swish of her nylon-coated thighs? I used to be amazed that her polyester dress didn’t go up in flames from the boy-scout-with-sticks type friction. Well, I have more empathy for her now. I worked hard learning to walk with minimal movement of my upper legs to avoid the humiliation of that tell-tale sound. It was awful when I would pull a decent pair of leggings from the dryer, only to discover the fabric on the upper inside of the legs had worn through. Amazing that a piece of clothing could cause such sadness.
I was walking through a hotel lobby this morning and it hit me. My legs weren’t touching as I strode. It was a freakin’ Christmas miracle in February.
5. Not being able to cross my legs
I know someone out there is saying, “But Ann, that’s not good for your back/hips/knees (pick one)!” Sorry, I think it’s sexy. Besides, I wear too many skirts to sit with my feet on the floor with my knees pulled tightly together (which was an impossibility until recently), and crossing my legs at the ankles like the nuns taught me? – well, nothing makes me feel more like my maiden aunt Ana. All that’s missing is the support hose and black patent leather purse. No, I think a woman looks hot and confident with her legs crossed and her back straight. I do it all the time now that I can, folding myself into a compact container on only one seat. Feels damn good.
Article comments
1 - diana
I really enjoy the articles you've been writing about this. They're very helpful because they're real and sincere. Thank you very much!
2 - Tracy
Excellent! You really are an inspiration and I love being a part of your journey.
3 - Ann Cardinal
Thank you both. I so appreciate your kind words. The fact that they are real and sincere, Diana, is what makes them hard to write, but readers like you and Tracy have been so supportive I feel safe sharing them.
4 - Mary
Just awesome Ann! Love your genuine words. Hoping my darn knee and suddenly crumbling body gets over itself and I can get back to the junkies sooon!
5 - Erin Hagar
Wonderful! It's the emotional aspect about weight loss that makes it so damn hard, and you nail it with every blog post! Kudos, and keep them coming.
6 - Ann Cardinal
Thank you Mary and Erin! It is feedback like this that inspires me to the next post! You rock!
7 - lil
I weigh around 240lbs, and your article is inspiring. I am constantly trying to diet, but never seem to stick to it. Hopefully I'll follow your lead and get my weight down. Well done on your achievement. xo
8 - Ann Cardinal
Lil, in 2011 I was 232 so I was right there with you. You don't even have to eat less, just better! I'm never hungry as i eat every three hours. The cravings for sugar and simple carbs (my favorites) go away, I promise, and from there the weight loss is easier.
You can do it!