Brought to you by the letter W <g>
Okay, so today, I’m going to tell you a little story. This is a story of a young woman who spent months learning to dismantle cars in an Auto Body Mechanics course. Every day she rode her bike to and from the school, lifted heavy parts (or not so heavy parts repeatedly) and pounded metal with various hammers for hours. Wearing bulky work pants and shirts, she never noticed the way her body changed. For the first time in her life, she didn’t care how she looked—didn’t matter much considering the grease and dirt that covered her from head to toe by she’d loosened her first bolt.
When summer came she was shocked to find all her clothes were about three sizes too big. Too small, she’d gotten used to, but too big?
You ever see those people who laugh and cry at the same time? Usually they’ve won the lottery or gotten married, but this woman blubbered and giggled while shopping for her first bikini. For once, she didn’t have to drape a towel around her hips to cover heavy thighs; her belly was nice and firm. She’d never felt so good about herself.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before life demanded a choice be made. Giving up sleep and TV and a social life wasn’t enough for new time sucking obligations. So it was work on cars or write stories? Heart or soul?
The woman hung up her hammer.
Now, two years later, with winter’s cold, grime crusted blankets nothing but a memory, the summer clothes are pulled out yet again. Then put away. The bikini is stuffed at the bottom of a drawer where she doesn’t have to see it.
And sadly, it’s not only the body she once had that will be missed. Every time she passes a car with the slightest dent marring its gleaming perfection, she can feel an ache in her hands where the impact of each hammer strike would once resonate in her bones like the deepest, purest song.
Yikes, okay, that was depressing. All very true, but it almost makes things sound hopeless, doesn’t it? And just to clarify, she is me.
Now, what I didn’t mention in this little story of what I’ve given up is all that I’ve gained—besides quite a few pounds. I’ve published two books. I’ve explored parts of myself I never would have otherwise. I’m living my dreams. Without writing, part of me would have died. The was no way to shelve the urge to immerse myself in the fictional worlds I’ve created, but working on cars…well, I can go back to that one day when my life has settled down. I even plan to buy myself an old beater
to work on. Shelving that part of me wasn’t easy, but it helps to know all I’ve got to do is dust it off—it hasn’t gone anywhere.
But the weight, ah, that’s an entirely different story. First off, I need to point out that I have no problem with big beautiful woman who are quite happy with the way they look. I don’t judge people. I’m writing this for myself and maybe a few other authors that want to fit their widened hips back in their skinny jeans. Posting this on my blog makes it more real to me, like a commitment I’ve made on my own little platform. You can try it to if you want—just leave a comment and maybe that permanent reminder will be enough to keep you from drifting off course.
So, here’s what I plan to do. 1,000 words equals 20 min of exercise. Either one of my many work out videos, a long walk, weight training (which wakes up all my hammer wielding muscles) or something else physical enough to burn some calories. Being an erotic writer, there’s one obvious activity that will serve several purposes—especially if I’m writing a particularly hot scene.
Swimming. Now that it’s summer a nice long swim is just the thing to help me cool off and get back in shape.
Were you thinking sex? Hmm…yes, I supposed that could work too, so long as you’re on top. Now that I think of it—because, of course I hadn’t before <g>–there’s a few positions that could help you tone while you burn. I love how your mind works!
Hopefully, this new goal will help me spend more time blogging to, since I’ll want to keep you all updated. For the next few day (until the Kissing Excerpt Contest starts) I’ll stop by to let you know how I’m doing. Then I’ll continue when I get back from Ohio.
Wish me luck!
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