That’s who I am. Except instead of a rock, I’ve been heaving and hauling the same ten pounds around for about 25……no, 30, years. Just when I think I can let go and release my burden for good–I’ve got everything balanced just so and I’m comfortably parading around in those size two trophy jeans–I relax a little and back they go, into the darkest, spookiest corner of my closet.
So I’m 45, it’s the tail-end of 2012 and I want it to be over. I think about all the minutes of my life I’ve wasted struggling, worrying, beating myself up. I consider all the thousands of dollars I’ve thrown away on diet books, online weight-loss sites, expensive “buy-our-food-only” regimes–
DukanBest LifeWeight WatchersJenny CraigMediterraneanSouth BeachInsanity!!
–and I get all embarrassed and ashamed and regretful . So that’s a great place to start, right? Shame and regret just make a gal want to get up and take on the world!!
Last year at this exact time, my ten pounds had gone missing. I thought we’d broken up, but it turns out it was just a trial separation. Over the course of 2012, we got back together…..gradually. We had our good times: a few croissants from that incredible boulangerie, a couple of glasses of wine with the hub, a little late-night ice cream in bed with Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert.
And we had our bad times: bathing. suit.
So I’m just wondering now—should I give up and just leave the boulder that is my ten-pounds at the bottom of the hill? (I know. This lame metaphor is really falling apart. I thought about calling this post “Ahab” and going with a white whale, or maybe “Rime of the Dreaded Ten Pounds” and milking the Albatross thing, but I’m on paragraph three already, so Camus it is.).
Is this just how I’m supposed to be? Most of the truly fun, interesting, kind women I know are a little bit un-thin. I’m healthy, thank goodness. My kids are growing up beautifully and the hub still loves me. And how do I let go without, you know, totally LETTING GO (as in: “Whoa, she really let herself go.”)? Again with the balancing.
I had a little health scare last week. The doctor had this eerily worried look on his face when he asked “Any sudden weight loss?”
“Um. No,” I laughed, “I wish.”
“No you really don’t,” he said.
He had me there.
So here’s my new plan: I drive over to Kahakuloa, find me the BIGGEST boulder on the shoreline and take it to Waihe’e. Every day, I get up and push that mutha’ up the hill. When it rolls back down (which I’m guessing it will…..), I heave it all the way back up. Over and over again. After a month or two, when I finally have a rock-hard hiney and boulder-built biceps, I’ll release “The Sisyphus Plan” and make a million bucks off of people like me– who spend thousands of dollars trying to lose ten pounds.
Where you Stay 
Jason Daniel (@JDanielOC)
You are light years away from letting go. Now, if you will excuse me. I have a boulder to heave. 😉
Robyn
Are you kidding?!? You are smokin’ and have been for as long as I’ve known you (day 1 on maui).
the disgruntler
My dearie, it’s only 10 pounds, “immaterial” in accountant’s terms. My boss and I were laughing the other day about someone who’d just a lot of weight and said it was “really so easy; all I did was cut out sugar …. and wheat …… and dairy …. and alcohol.” Oh, is THAT all? Might as well cut out living life altogether! Yes, be glad you have your health and life is overall good! P.S. you are hot!