My word for 2016
In 2015, I worked hard on being authentic -- my word for last year. It was a good word for me, it resonated in most everything I did from letting my hair go grey to being real at work. We ate authentic food which I interpreted as whole food; more veggies, less red meat, more fish, more seasonal and less processed. Brett pretty much kicked his chips habit and rarely drinks soda. He still needs something sweet after dinner, so most nights the smell of cinnamon toast wafts from the kitchen. But, I was happy with my authentic year.
I didn't think I'd be able to come up with a good word for 2016; authentic was going to be hard to beat.
Wednesday morning, I was driving with a colleague to a meeting. We're about the same age and our conversation turned to the "joys" of being 50-something and menopausal. Over the sound of the slapping windshield wipers, I complained loud and long about the layer of fat that has attached itself to my belly. It irritates the hell out of me. I have never in my life had belly fat before and now I have (shudder) a roll. Being a wise friend, as well as a co-worker, she turned to me and said "you just have to accept that this is who you are now. You have to be okay with it." The wind blew the car a bit, and the rain beat down, as her words sunk in and stuck.
She's right, of course. I'm never going to be the skinny leggy thing (with no boobs) of my youth. In many ways, I am a tall version of my Grammie; my dad's mother. She was barely 5 feet tall, very lively, and no one would have called her thin. She swam at the community pool and took long walks in the evenings. She was an amazing cook (my inspiration) and ate a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables. The last thing I cared about was her figure. I cared about how she made me feel -- loved and special -- and how she taught me to cook traditional Hungarian food. My husband and kids like me just the way I am. I need to let fat resentment go -- and toss the clothes that will never, ever fit me again.
I don't have any intention of adding more rolls of fat and being a blob. I will exercise and stay fit -- but I will do my best to accept who I am now, at this point in my life. I will eat healthy foods cooked with real butter and whole milk. I will ride my horse and walk the dog and kayak. I will drink wine and live this life we've chosen to the fullest.
And I'll secretly pray that I don't blimp out. It's going to take me all year on this one.
Love that word. It's a good one.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe that healthy is the key and skinny does NOT equal healthy.
Plus you strike me as pretty happy and hungry people are not happy. :)
What a great post. Acceptance is just right for you, me and many others. What you wrote rings true! Every word.
ReplyDeleteThe battle is real. A thought for you: people older than 50 who are carrying a little extra weight are less likely to get cancer, and other ailments that can plague people in the second half century of their life. And there's a huge difference between acceptance and letting it all go. I too am learning to dance this new dance.
ReplyDeleteGood luck this year.
Great AUTHENTIC article about acceptance! Love it! My word for 2016 - simplicity. Happy 2016!
ReplyDeleteBrave girl. You've got an early start to this way of thinking. It took me until my 60s before I 'got it'. What a relief!
ReplyDeleteI remember the first time I looked at my doctor and said "How Can I get rid of this???" and he told me to learn to accept it! ARGHHHH.
ReplyDeleteBut... I subsequently lost a significant amount of weight (not that roll!),
kept it off 8 years now, walk daily with my dogs, and eat decently.
I agree... we need to accept who we are now!
I like the way you choose words for the year. On the bright side, some of us have had belly rolls since our 30's. You're way ahead of the curve on that one! I guess I'll be used to it by my 50's--which are right around the corner. The new thing for me is facial wrinkles. I am trying to accept them. They did seem to come on suddenly at menopause. I remember when my mom said she was getting her mom's jowls...and now I see them emerging in me. I've been afraid of the dreaded "jowls" since my 20's. LOL!! I just keep telling myself, this is as good as it gets at this point in my life. Enjoy it while it lasts!
ReplyDeleteWell, this post sure struck a chord with me. I too have had to learn to accept that extra layer around my middle – where it never, ever had been before. It’s taken me awhile to accept that stage of my life but I’ve gotten there. I do try to make sure that I don’t keep adding to it though. Oh the joys of womanhood! :-)
ReplyDeleteAmen! Your words resonated deeply within me. I've struggled for some time with a roll around my middle...but things could certainly be worse. I too, will try and love my body more, and be accepting of all that I am. I will do my best to care for myself, but I will also be thankful for my life and my body. And LIVE!!! Wonderful post!! Thank you Annette.
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you are taking care of yourself - you deserve to put yourself first for a change because that is what is going to keep you alive. You gave life, you continue to help others, and you can ride, so cut that body of yours some slack, it's done a good job of keeping you alive up to this point :D
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