As mothers, our bodies have endured quite a journey. (Let’s not even get started on the infamous hospital underwear.) Thankfully, with time, we often reach a point where we embrace our bodies. We engage in various forms of exercise to promote a healthy and joyful lifestyle.
Our Exercise Choices
- Some of us run.
- Some prefer walking.
- Others find solace in Pilates or Yoga.
We attempt to limit our indulgences, sneaking in a BLT here and there. We sign up for exercise classes and, bless our hearts, we actually show up. But what on earth is going on with the Arm Dangle? Yes, that ever-present Arm Dangle. You know, that delightful bit of flab that resides under our arms? Just lift your arm, pinch that flesh underneath, and give it a tug. (Madonna and supermodels, you can exit this conversation now.)
At just 42, I never imagined I’d be dealing with Arm Dangle at this age. I thought I’d be 88, with wispy white hair, teaching stretching classes at the local senior center, where we’d all jiggle our arms together.
Then one day, I stumbled upon a picture of myself on social media and thought, “Who is that person on the right with the enormous flabby arm? Seriously, whose arm is that? Please tell me there’s something off about this picture!” But then I saw another, and another, each time facing the reality of my arm flesh spilling out of my sleeveless top like it was taking a vacation.
“Son of a… THAT IS ME!”
I’m the type who enjoys food, and that’s not changing anytime soon. I also make an effort to exercise regularly, and it used to yield results! Now, I wake up feeling bloated after drinking too much water. Can someone explain what’s happening to my body? Why does that extra flab seem to gravitate to this particular area, especially during summer when all the cute sleeveless tops are on sale?
No matter how much we work out or how carefully we eat, it feels like the camera has a vendetta against our arms, capturing them in such a way that they appear ready to take off. And even when we try to crop those photos, the offending flab extends beyond the crop line.
Let’s rewind 1,800 years. If I were wandering the wilderness with a baby wrapped in animal skins, I could understand the utility of that extra flab. Surviving on just berries and bark, that body fat could sustain me for days or even weeks. But what’s the purpose of it now?
I recently committed to a week-long toning routine, and I was feeling pretty proud of myself. Yet, in yet another picture, I caught sight of my “winged friends” again. After 42 years, I finally understand why my grandmother won’t wear a tank top without a cover-up.
Does this mean the Arm Dangle is my new companion? I’m not sure, but I refuse to hide. There are too many colorful tank tops and sleeveless dresses in my closet that deserve to be worn. I’m just not ready to wave a jiggly farewell just yet.
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In summary, the Arm Dangle may be an unwelcome reality for many mothers, but embracing our bodies and finding joy in our choices is what truly matters.