"Ugh!" I said aloud to myself. I was staring in the mirror at my naked body and honestly, I wasn't impressed. I don't know when or how it happened, but as I exited my 20s and found myself in the middle of my thirties things were changing, and not for the better.
My belly was pudgy, my thighs were dimpled, and my formerly perky B cups had some very visible sag. If I waved my arms long enough, I was pretty sure I could fly right off the ground. How could I let myself go like this? I mean, I was by no means a lazy person. I was educated, I worked hard. I had my Master's Degree in Business Management from the University of Michigan. It got me my dream job as a management analyst for a company near my hometown. It is the best of both worlds. I'm close enough to stay connected with friends and family, but since I'm a few cities away I get to live my own life without feeling like I'm under a microscope. Really though, it wouldn't matter if I was. I work such long hours that I don't even have any time to get into any trouble or misadventures that I would need to keep secret.
I poked my belly one last time and sighed. Maybe I could get a stationary bike or something? Spring was here and my body was so far away from summer clothes I may as well give up.
I put on my traditional trousers/blouse/cardigan combo, slid on my sensible ballet flats, grabbed my coffee and a granola bar, and headed out the door.
~~~~~~
I sat in the office lunch area lost in thought. I hadn't brought a lunch and the food trucks downstairs were calling to me, but I was remembering my body overview from the morning and I just couldn't bring myself to indulge. A salad truck probably wouldn't be very popular, but that would have been what I needed today in order to eat without a pile of guilt.
"Hey Deborah!"
I turned and saw Mike and Paul entering the lunch area. I smiled, looking forward to the chance to socialize, even if just for a few minutes.
"Hey guys! What's going on? Finally taking a break?"
"Yea we're starving. We're gonna hit up the lunch trucks. Can we grab you something?" Paul asked.
"No I'm good. Thanks though."
"Hey Paul, can you grab me some pork tacos? I want to catch up with Deborah for a minute!" said Mike.
"Yea man, no problem. I'll be right back. Are you sure I can't get you anything?" he asked me.
"Thanks Paul, but I'm fine." I declined. Stupid mirrors.
"So how's it going Deborah? You work so hard you hardly ever come out of your office!" Mike came and sat down next to me. Mike is a great guy, and a good friend. Not really physically my type, but he's married anyway so I didn't need to worry about that. He's tall, white (like super pale), skinny, and just a bit awkward. His wife on the other hand is smokin' hot. I've only met her a couple times at work functions, but from what I can tell, she is the perfect woman and it seems like she just worships him. I honestly don't know how he pulled it off.
"Oh it's going. Just finished up a big project and I've been thinking about taking some time off." Hmmm... was I? I mean, I guess that's the type of thing that you say when you're shooting the shit with someone, but it sounded like a great idea. Maybe I could go to one of those weight loss retreat places or something.
"Really? You should. Everyone needs some time off. Going somewhere with a special someone?" He goaded me. He knew I was single. Everyone did. Not that I ran around advertising it, but I worked with pretty much all men, and honestly, they are much bigger gossips than any women I've ever worked with.
"No, nothing planned. Just thinking about refocusing a bit. Maybe spending some time getting healthier. I'm not getting any younger and you can't just let yourself go. It gets harder and harder to get back to where you want to be." Am I really discussing fitness with this bean pole? Like he has a clue about what it takes to keep from becoming a walrus.
"Really? You're concerned about your health? You've got a lovely curvy figure, although it's hard to tell in those frumpy clothes you wear."
"Hey!"
"And if you're considering making changes, maybe you should think about a boob job. Your frame could handle much larger breasts."
"Oh my god shut up. That is so inappropriate Mike! I don't want new boobs! I mean, maybe it would be cool if they were a bit perkier, but I mean, they're fine."
He ran his eyes up and down me, very analytically. "Of course they're fine! I was just saying like, in a perfect world, if you could build yourself your dream body, your boobs should be bigger, that would be more proportional."
Seriously?! Was I really discussing my boobs with my married coworker?! This conversation needs to end now. Why is he being so cavalier about it!?
"Alright I got your pork tacos and a couple of chicken tacos for Deborah! I know you said you didn't want anything, but I didn't want you to feel left out while Mike and I go to town on these babies!" Paul announced as he came back in the room. I was still reeling from Mike's nonchalant analysis of my body.
"Um thanks. Maybe I'll have one." I quietly said.
"She is worried she's getting old and fat so she's not eating." Mike blurted out as if it was no big deal at all.
"Mike!" When did he get so annoying?!
"Really? You can't just stop eating Deborah. That's not healthy!" Paul said. I liked Paul. I got the impression that he was a bit of a ladies man, as he always said the right thing at the right time, but he was actually really nice. It didn't hurt that he was tall, dark and handsome.
"I was thinking of maybe taking some time off to get back into shape, you know, one of those health camps, nothing crazy." I quietly explained, feeling judged (mostly by myself) and vulnerable. The feminist in me couldn't believe I was discussing body issues with my male coworkers. I should just embrace the body I have and live my life confidently, if only it were that easy.
"Well, I know that personally, I would hate not having you around here, even for just a couple of days. All of us guys look forward to your smiles and conversations. Plus you help dilute this sausage fest a bit!" Seriously, Paul is just too smooth.
"I mean, I haven't decided anything, I just don't want to let myself go." I mumbled. This was getting more and more awkward by the minute.
"Hey Mike, you got that number for that Doctor your wife goes to?" Paul asked.
"Oh yea, I'm sure I've got it in my phone. That's a great idea. Really helped my wife with some, uh, mmm, uh, thyroid issues, that's what it was. Really helped her feel more confident and comfortable in her own skin!" Mike searched through his phone and gave Paul a wide grin.
"I mean, your wife is gorgeous Mike. I can't imagine she would have any confidence problems."
"You better believe it. But Dr. Robbins made her feel like a brand new woman. This was actually before we got married. We met here actually. She was a secretary in the accounting department." He grabbed a piece of scrap paper and wrote down Dr. Robbins information.
"Why doesn't she work here anymore." I wondered aloud.
Paul and Mike exchanged a look.
"She likes to work from home. Super independent you know. She actually started her own business recently."