Whoa, Sister! Get Thee Back on a Yoga Mat!

 The laughter coming from the dressing room was probably me.

The last bikini I purchased was at least four years ago so I figured it was probably time to update. However, this weekend may not have been the best time… but there was a big sale and we’re spending a month in Florida on the beach in the summer and I plan to be part of the fun! In a cute new bikini!

It may not have been the best time to be squeezing into a new bathing suit the same weekend I celebrated the halfway mark in this third pregnancy… but they were on sale! In bright and happy stripes! And colorful little anchors! I chose one size up in the bottoms to accommodate my ever-expanding bottom, and gave a little cheer to be going up one size on the top because XS is REALLY hard to find. That's right, friends. I am now officially a S!

I’ll admit I have not been as adamant about exercise this time around. Actually, I haven’t exercised. At all. And isn’t it in moments like these, under the unforgiving florescent lights in the dressing room that we promise to exercise – starting tomorrow. I did no such foolish thing. Instead I laughed – a great big belly laugh (no pun intended). I marveled at my doughy glowing thighs and whispered, “Whoa, sister! Get thee back on a yoga mat!” – all in fun, because I know damn well it’s not going to happen. I’ve become far too lazy.

To top it off, I’ve grown accustomed to my new label, advanced maternal age, which the doctor repeats during each monthly visit. Apparently after 35, all goes downhill, including the possibility of having a healthy child. So be it. And yet I ran my last marathon at 35, eat healthy, used to exercise on a daily basis before I got so tired lugging around this ever-expanding belly, take a daily vitamin, and am learning to laugh a little more.

A few years ago, I would have put the bikini back on the rack. I would have made a vow to exercise religiously and reprimanded myself for letting myself “go”. Perhaps grace and forgiveness do come with older age – make that advanced maternal age- and a better sense of humor. I’ll get back in shape in time. I certainly don’t plan to run another marathon but I’ll likely sign up for a 5K and a 10K throughout the year to have goals. But most importantly, I hope the loudest laughter coming from the dressing rooms is from me.