If you do this, you will never lose weight

I have my light blue Levi's on, the one I bought in August when I was at my thinnest. I quickly put it back in the closet because I don't dare to wear it. I already know that I no longer fit this particular pair for its long-lasting life. In the mirror, it looks okay, but when I see myself in a photo or video, I feel really disappointed. It feels a bit like going back to square one.

I'm not the picky type, never have been, and I'm not going to become one, but because of my hours in the gym I did get in shape. Definitely no six-pack, I suspect that's anatomically impossible, but the area around my navel was flatter and my thighs looked slimmer. I was quite content with that. But then I had to suddenly go on a sports diet. Yes, you read that right: I had to exercise less because I had a hernia. I always thought this was an old man's ailment. Whatever it is, a vital woman (sort of) in her early 30s can also get this. Well, I have that.

I used to be happy four times a week when I could walk a bit, now it's down to two times a seniors' class with my personal trainer. My fitness is safely stored away in the broom closet and my shape is a bit rounder. I start the week with glasses of celery juice because that's the new chia, treat myself on Wednesdays with old cheese, and on Fridays I indulge in charcuterie and full, fat white wine. I can't seem to stay in the groove (as May calls it).

Now it turns out I'm making the big mistake of losing weight. I'm really hard on myself because I just can't seem to lose weight and I'm deteriorating, in the mirror I see rolls above my waistband and a bit too much on my thighs. Now it turns out I'm doing everything wrong. As I zoom in like Inspector Gadget on those fuller parts, it actually becomes harder to eat healthily. The more you love and are positive about your body, the quicker you see results. The harsher you are on yourself, the easier it is to risk eating poorly.

So the solution is simple. Having a croquette once in a while isn't bad, your belly might be a bit round, but your face is pretty, and in the end, it's always about the appearance that counts.