Shopping for a bathing suit is one of the hardest things women have to face today. It's right up there with equal pay in the workplace. It is such a big deal that people often don’t refer to the three months of sunshine as Summer, but rather “Bathing Suit Season.” Some also refer to it as “Wedding Season,” aka “you-should-have-been-working-out-all-year-to-impress-everyone-season.” What kind of pressure is that? I’ll tell you what kind: cruel. As far as I know, no one but models enjoy seeing themselves in a spandex outfit that leaves nothing much to the imagination – good or bad. Maybe Giselle Bundchen hates how long her legs look in a string bikini. Okay, so I doubt she has that problem or any problem really, which just makes me more irritated, but I digress.
I went shopping this week for a bathing suit and (surprise, surprise) I hated it. I realize I have a bit of exercise denial, but I have been trying to eat healthier and learn to cook so I don’t have to patron Subway every other night. Fun fact: did you know brown rice reduces your chances of diabetes, while white rice increases it? See, I’ve been doing my homework. Anyway, until I can really afford my new imaginary diet, I have to go at this in a more physical manner.
After finding some nice pieces and cover-ups, the fam decided The Cheesecake Factory was a good option for dinner. Although very delicious, it’s probably one of the unhealthiest restaurants in America. This was go time. I was going to order a salad instead of the usual cheeseburger. Usually my dinner salads are a variation of bacon, cheese, avocado, fried chicken, sometimes hardboiled egg, and topped off with creamy ranch dressing. I used to be okay with this, but on the verge of a tropical beach vacation in a couple days, I wasn’t going to take any chances. I found the healthiest sounding salad and went for it.
When the salad was brought out to me, I had to sit back and look at it for a few seconds. Lettuce, carrots, cashews, thinly sliced grilled chicken, a touch of cilantro, and lightly dressed with a citrus-peanut vinaigrette. “This is the start of something new. And good.” I surprised myself with how much I liked my meal, even though at first glance it looked like rabbit food. (I know everyone says that about salads, but this really did look like rabbit food. Minus the cilantro.)
Success! I had made it through dinner without the feeling that my belt was the only thing stalling my stomach’s pending explosion. Oh no, why is the waitress coming over with a dessert menu? It should also be known that cheesecake is one of two of my very favorite types of cake, but I was ready to decline. Totally ready until she starts talking about the brand new cheesecake they are selling for charity – red velvet layered cheesecake. It should be known that red velvet cake is one of two of my very favorite types of cake and now that it was hanging out with my other favorite, I wasn’t so sure I could turn it down.
I did it for charity. I don’t see it as a failure if you’re doing it for charity. Do I remember the charity? No. Do I remember the best dessert experience of my life? Yes. Have I chosen my wedding cake before I have chosen my groom? You bet.
Even though my efforts are a little late into the “Bathing Suit Season,” I’m going to do better with the whole exercising thing, even if it means racing the old, venerable speed walkers in my neighborhood.
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