Even Spandex has it's limits...

With my recent 'Things that Make you Feel Fat' posts, I sense that it's necessary to give a brief explanation and background on the topic. I would never want to make anyone feel uncomfortable or add fuel to the fire in a society that is so obsessed with appearance. As a ballet teacher, it has always been very important to me that I did not 'pass along' my own body issues and insecurities to my students. In my 'Fat Posts', I'm simply trying to bring some humor to something that most of us struggle with at some point in our lives.
I've struggled with my weight/body image for as long as I can remember... honestly, who doesn't these days? Growing up, I was never 'overweight', but always a bit pudgy. In my early 20's, I went from a healthy size 8, to a starving and miserable size 0. I'm sure I alienated many friends and family members with my selfish focus on my own appearance. Now, as a mother of two... I WISH I was a size 8 again... but it just isn't worth losing any sleep over at this point in life.
I had to chuckle at myself as I came home with a new pair of jeans the other day. LONG and LEAN... size 10 short. Yep, that's me.( FAT MOMENT: When the sales lady at GAP approaches you and says she has the perfect jeans for you to try... "they're OPRAH'S favorite's.")
Anyway, I went to my monthly prayer group a few weeks ago. This is always a 'self esteem challenge' being that just about everyone in my group is a size 2 and made it through their entire pregnancies without having to buy even a pair of maternity jeans. (Girls, you know who you are... and I love each of you:). I must admit, however, that each time one of them confesses that they wish they looked more like a Victoria's Secret model or that their body just isn't the same since having a baby... a little devil appears on my left shoulder and tries to convince me to tackle and pin one of them between my chubby, cellulite covered thighs and show them what a fat roll really looks like. But, after some serious thought, I decline... after all, prayer group just isn't the place for such a display.
On a more serious note... I pray for them. Because it's a very real struggle... whether you're a size 2, 20 or somewhere in between.
NOTE TO SELF: It might not be a good idea to ask for prayer in this area, when there is someone much larger than you within arm's reach. IT'S A HUGE RISK.