Several months ago, I noticed that a couple of my pants had gotten a bit tight around the waist. Reluctant to give them to Goodwill just yet, I placed them in a secluded spot in my closet to rest for a bit, and ordered a pair of pants (don’t have an “off the rack” kind of body) one size larger and began to accept the fact that I’m in my forties now, weight gain is inevitable, and began thinking about purchasing a whole new wardrobe.

Until that rebellious trait in me (please tell me it is indeed indigenous to all B’s!) screamed out “Well, forget this!! I refuse to accept this notion of inevitable weight gain! You WILL DO something about this!!!”

So I did. I eliminated almost all flour products from my diet, increased fruits and veggies, and made sure I had my protein in the morning and throughout the day. But the biggest change was I upped my cardio. Big time.

And it worked. Today, those pants in my closet came back from their extended vacation and fit perfectly. No uncomfortable binding at the waist. And those pants a size bigger? They hang like a sack on me now.

I probably will gain weight, or at least added fat as I age. My shape is surely to change - it already has. And I am not willing to starve or exercise to the point of exhaustion to maintain a “youthful image”. I actually like all my wrinkles. The sagging skin... well that is going to take some time to accept but I’ll get there. But here and now, I could affect a change with just a little bit of effort. I didn’t have to accept the inevitable weight gain. Not yet. And I feel much healthier and vibrant from all that good oxygenating exercise.

So here’s to not settling for less... and also for grace in accepting the inevitable changes wrought by the passage of time.