Mission Accomplished

This morning, as I was mindlessly devouring my sesame seed bagel, which was slightly toasted and slathered in cream cheese, a shock wave momentarily paralyzed my being (and, of course, being the friend I am, I am compelled to share my thoughts with you).

Don’t look now, and I hate to be the bearer of this kind of news, but, as you probably are fully aware by now – look at the fine print on your calendar – May is the “oh my gosh it will be summer soon so I better get my butt moving because I have to be seen in a bathing suit in not so many days” month.  I know, you are saying, where has the time gone?  (It seems like just yesterday when I donned my 5 square inches of material and hit the beach.)  My answer? With 22 bagels (oops, make that 23), 9 hot chocolates with 7 extra squirts of chocolate sauce, 6 zucchini breads (they sounded healthy), 3 chocolate cakes (for birthday purposes only), and a couple of pizzas to soothe the soul, the last couple of months of food consumption has made the time from last summer just fly by.

As the countdown gears up to wind down to “BS” (bathing suit) Day, serious action must be considered and tactics must be made to implement the strategic plan that assures us success in a timely manner (nothing worse than finally being prepared for “BS” day in the middle of winter when you live in a cold weather area – analogous to the “all dressed up and nowhere to go” dilemma we have all faced at one time or another.)

Not one to rush into a situation before I analyze it properly, I think I have come upon a way to gently slide into and trick (a precursor to the actual deeds of action, if you will) my mental side for the preparation of “BS” day.  The plan is to just start wearing workout clothes.  You know, those very cute, very stretchy articles of attire that scream, “I am sporty, active and must be firm and fit – just look what I am wearing!”  Try carrying off the same bounce and feel in a tight pair of jeans – it just doesn’t happen.

To prove my point, I did my own little experiment.  I performed my usual morning beauty regime, including shaving my legs.  Trust me, don’t skip this step, I know it may seem counterproductive, but it helps in the overall “mood” that you set for yourself and will make easier the challenges your legs will encounter as they shift from the black pants “shroud of darkness” into the luminosity of day.  I happily primped, coiffed my hair and donned the total workout look from head to toe and headed for my local coffee establishment and the known place to see and to be seen.

Once there, I was greeted with side-glances from surprised friends.  “Had I been working out?”  “Am I into aerobics? Yoga? Pilates?”  “Where do you do your walking?”  “ Love your outfit!”  “Your shoes are too cute!”  Questions and remarks that peppered the air and made me feel like a real jock, a warrior of the workout!

Mission accomplished, the positive feedback I received after just 3 short hours of sitting at the coffeehouse has energized me and put me on the path of no return to ready myself for the ultimate “BS” day.  I now feel equipped with the proper mental attitude to achieve my goal… now if I can only find the body to go with that, I will be all set.

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-