Cinnamon Buns

I really don't think I need buns of steel. I'd be happy with buns of cinnamon. ~Ellen DeGeneres

I have struggled with body image for a long time. Half my life I was underweight. I was so skinny that you could see my ribs. The cool thing was that I could eat non-stop and I still didn’t gain weight. I used to hang out with guys who were football coaches. I remember how one time after a pizza outing one of them said to me, “This is why I don’t date you—I could not afford to keep you!” I had wolfed back as many pizza slices as the guys. I used to dress in baggy clothes so people did not think I was anorexic or bulimic.

I love food and for most of my life it was not an issue. As I worked out today, I wonder what happened to my body. Aging and illness definitely are factors, as is genetics. My weekly Pilates class helps with all the aches and pains, as well as strengthening the body but doesn't help so much with weight loss. People look at me now and assume I am pregnant. I have had a few people ask, in case you think I am making it up or am paranoid. I am not sure which was worse—people thinking I had an eating disorder or thinking that at half a century I am about to have my first child. Sigh. Can’t win for trying.

Well, maybe I should try harder. I have been fairly lucky health-wise with the weight gain. Everyone else in my immediate family has Type II diabetes. I keep dodging that bullet but was not so lucky with high cholesterol this time around when I saw the doctor. Now I am eating fish and oatmeal. No, not together. That sounds a little gross or bland or grossly bland to me. I need to watch what I eat now and exercise more. However, Ellen does have a point….and I live pretty darn close to some of the best cinnamon buns in town.

Peace,

Suzanne