In my dotage I am destined to be a barrell shaped, floral pinny wearing, big bosomed cuddly Grandma. Women of a certain age become elegantly slim or, for want of a better phrase, cushioned with love, and in my case, mayonnaise. So there is no hope for me. My fate is already sealed.
But for those of you who don't fancy yourself as a geriatric version of Ma Larkin, there is an answer that doesn't involve sacrificing madeleines for breakfast. Or chucky egg butties when PMT threatens to swallow you up in a fit of the titty lip blues. There is an old fashioned answer that won't mean paying exorbitant fees to posey gyms or jogging around the block, beetroot red and puffing like a steam engine.It's called elbow grease and trust me you can't buy it in the shops. Not even in old fashioned ironmongers that sell bonkers things like carbolic soap and carpet beaters.
Gone are the days when housework took three hours a day, every day (if it does you are doing it wrong or suffering O.C.D), but that doesn't mean we can't, should we be so inclined, throw ourselves, mind, body and oversized bum into turning our daily chores into an exercise class for one... So work up a bit of a sweat, go at a steady speed, don't sit down to debate the rights and wrongs of men with too many wives on Jeremy Kyle/Jerry Springer, stretch more than you need to, jig about with the hoover and your housekeeping music of choice and don't stop for a "rest". In short, think thin thighs as you pick up the kids toys, think toned arms as you dust the mantlepiece and try not to think of housekeepers knee as you scrub the kitchen floor. Do the things you can't be bothered to do like cleaning out the cupboard under the stairs and getting in the bath naked and scrubbing the grouting with a toothbrush. Put your bum into it. Make a song and dance out of it. Take the rugs and bash the hell out of them in garden. It takes effort, but if the thought of a perky bottom gets you through the daily grind, then I say all the better...
Make the bed - burn 39 calories. Mop the kitchen floor- 36 calories banished. Do the dishes- burn 24 calories. Pick toys up- and see 41 calories disappear before your eyes. Run up and down the stairs carrying and fetching, oops there goes a whopping 175 calories. And finally get out into the garden and deadhead the roses and consider yourself 36 calories thinner....
So erm, thats 39 + 36 + 24 + 41 + 175 + 36 = an extra slice of carrot cake for your elevenses...
And that my Darlings is the very reason why I'm gonna be Ma Larkin and you are gonna be Jane Fonda, aged 70 and three quarters.
I used to put on Bruce Springsteen "Born To Run" to clean the house by!!! That's so funny, but true! I often dance a little when doing the vacuuming!
Posted by: Kim Sherrod | 05/09/2007 at 12:52 AM
Somehow I doubt that you are all that cushioned =) I just love how you say things! Blessings... Polly
Posted by: Counting Your Blessings | 03/09/2007 at 06:05 PM
Oh dear I think my fate is already sealed, watch out Ma Larkin you may have a few rivals!
Posted by: cd&m | 03/09/2007 at 05:41 PM
Hi
I shall remember all that today as I rush round trying to restore order to chaos I still resemble Ma Larkin though but didn't she have a fantastic err sex life!!
Posted by: mary | 03/09/2007 at 08:56 AM
Yeah I'm a cushioned lady and proud of it. I read an article some time ago(in You magazine I think)which voiced the opinion that women of a certain age tend to go one of two ways; they either become obsessed with their figures and looks and trying to regain their lost youth; or,they become comfortable with their bodies, age gracefully, and take up new interests, hobbies, travelling, reading, further education etc etc. I know what club I'd rather join!
Great post.
Posted by: Gill | 02/09/2007 at 03:53 PM
..I was so upset last year looking at my son's wedding pictures that no one had told me I was carrying a shelf hiney big enough to put trinkets on behind me... who knew???? gives " cleaning my butt off" a new meaning!!
Posted by: Lea | 02/09/2007 at 02:13 PM
It's a vicious cycle: Too tired to do house work, so you sit too much and gain weight. You gain weight which makes you more tired to get up and do house work, so you sit more and gain more weight, so now you're much too tired to do house work, so you sit even more and gain even more ...
AARGH!
Good article, Alison. I for one have found myself in the above cycle, but it can be broken! Thanks.
Posted by: Sharon S | 02/09/2007 at 01:08 AM
We're all fabulous as we are. Besides, I just cut the label out of my clothes, so I'm any size I like. Ha!
Ali x
Posted by: Ali | 31/08/2007 at 05:44 PM
ha ha ha! actually I think Ma Larkin is beautiful! but I hear what you are saying, I have nearly killed myself scrubbing floors,washing stairs etc. today, but I went and spoiled all that calorie burning with a milky coffee and a doorstep size piece of madeira cake!
Posted by: Gena | 31/08/2007 at 05:04 PM
Oh, I love your pages, but this one really spoke to me!!
I think we "cushioned" ladies are so much happier, and I'm (mostly), pleased to be one, especially with someone like you!
Posted by: Susannah | 31/08/2007 at 04:33 PM