When Your Get-up-and-go Finally Gets Going

You can tell spring is in the air. Even if the temperature wasn’t rising, it is screaming “new season” everywhere you look.  Whoever planned the multi-seasonal track knows when to give us the transformation of weather and attitude just in the nick of time to save us from ourselves.

The winter to spring transition is always the toughest.  As we shed layer after dark, warm, snuggly layer of camouflage, what begins to be revealed is frightening.  I look in the mirror and swear I don’t recall when that bulge or protuberance arrived.  Since they look so comfortable on my body, I hate to disturb them.  We are one with the moment and we should celebrate their being.

Thinking of the anecdote that I am carrying a “10 pound bag of potatoes” of extra weight around is a visual that I must convey to my content little ripples hiding happily or be fortunate enough to have Rembrandt track me down to pose in his next painting depicting the womanly form and not wanting me to change a thing (he has found inspiration in me!) – I know he died in 1669, but a girl can hope for reincarnation.  Add that particular hue of pasty white, and yikes – I am quite the sight.

I hear the call to action!  Grab those walking shoes and find the dog’s leash!  If I have to get in shape I need a companion who is happy to head out with me, with no complaints – which quickly eliminates my snookie-whopper, my “til-death-do-us-part” partner, who can only be roused by the promise of a bagel sandwich and a hot coffee in the morning.

The rampup of this healthy routine almost deters me.  I want to celebrate my first week of accomplishment by digging into something ooey, gooey and chocolately, but find my guilt factor to be on the high side and decide to postpone my indulgence until later, which hopefully will be put off indefinitely if plans go accordingly and there are noticeable results in the derriere department.

I am quickly noticing that besides the lumps rearranging themselves to a preferred position, being out in the fresh air is giving me fresh perspectives and lung capacity.  This walking thing might work out after all – as long as I don’t become a mall walker (those folks are way too serious and I couldn’t even try to keep up with their pace).  The outdoor scenery is nice, the company is pleasant and the ability to plan the day and resolve turmoil are added benefits.  The other nice thing I have found is that walking is free.  Which, of course, is an incentive that should not be overlooked – especially when my girlish figure returns and I must reward my efforts which is easily accomplished with the money I have saved (good reasoning! Fine justification!).

In the spirit of being unbiased and fair, I want to empathize and feel the pain from the male perspective.  If the winter doldrums have taken residence in your body, please take note in preparing yourself for the warmer months.  For this I can only presume and start you off with a point of reference: imagine you are heading away on a romantic getaway with the woman of your dreams to a luscious seaside 4-star lodge.  Picture yourself in a “Speedo” (urgh, wrong!  Bad picture!  This will not endear you to your betrothed… less is not more in this visual!)… and motivate yourself accordingly to the end results you wish to achieve in this vision… now wasn’t that helpful?

Simple fact: the sooner you get started, the sooner you will be able to bask in the new you… and enjoy all the fruits of your labor…(ooh la la!) and have your get-up-and-go, get going!

Cynthia A. McClelland, curious observer of the obvious with interpretations of the oddities of daily life.  Mother, wife and lover of the furry, resides in the north Lake Tahoe area.                      

Cynthia A. McClelland © 2003-