I don’t know how it happened. I swear, it was almost over night when I woke up 5 years ago with what seemed to be a “beer belly” at my waist. Ok, maybe it somewhat is a beer belly. I do like beer; light beer that is. So why could I eat anything I wanted for 35 years without any reprocussions?

My face seemed fuller when I looked in the mirror, and I begged not to be included in photos. My sister’s said they were so happy to see me finally gain weight. I had been a size 4 for years. I went to the doctor and told her that I had gained the 20 lbs in a 9 month period without a change in eating habits or excercise. (Oh yeah, other than walking, I didn’t excercise.) I was tested for hypothyroidism as it ran in my family and sure enough I was diagnosed. My doctor put me on synthroid and said I should see a difference in my weight in about a month’s time. Yippee! So, all I had to do is take one pill a day, and go on with life as I always had?

Not so fast. After being on the medication for a couple of months, the other symptoms of hypothyroidism tapered, but the weight was still there. I’m 5‘3, and my doctor told me I was 20 pounds overweight, just like other women my age and had to find a way to lose it.

After another 10 months of trying to eat differently, trying different forms of excercise, and drinking a ton of water the weight is still there. I am a very happy person; very satisfied with my life, and I really don’t mind my curves. I feel sexy and fabulously 40. Sure, I had to buy larger tops (I did not gain weight in my waist) and I still have that paunch and am not looking forward to donning a bathing suit, but, If I am happy and feel healthy, do I still need to lose the weight? Mind you, I watch what I eat. I eat things in moderation and never overeat. I am not a big fan of dessert, so no problem there. Now that summer is around the corner I will be outside more and getting more excericise.

The more I think about it, as long as that last 20 pounds does not become 30 or 40, I think I’m good!