Hi, my name is Patty, and I am a mom of six, the eldest just graduated form college, the youngest is nine and in the third grade. Three of the six have food allergies, as well as myself.....but i am also a food addict! Every winter, the weight comes on, as the temperature dips.....and then, shock, i find myself fat, fat, fat.....

yesterday? I joined a fitness club. Oh boy....after 'working out' on my own for an hour, i attended a class. Here's a tip: don't exercise before an exercise class, especially if you haven't been working out, duh!

I sneak into the back of the class, glance around at the majority of young matrons,30-somethings, and some women in their latter 40's, early 50's mixed in......me, i just hit the 5th decade, but like to keep that one on the 'DL' (down low)......I look around, and though i have tried my darndest to 'blend in' in the back of the class, that oh, has already been in session for about 5 minutes, and notice, that woah...i look ridiculous. No , not due to my 'generous' figure, but my outfit. For the last 14 years I have exercised strictly in the home to work-out dvd's, or , walked with a girlfriend. No GIGANTIC mirrors looking back at you, the bright turquoise and white blob surrounded by a sea of sleek black!

Let me tell you, fitness styles do change in 14 years! The last time I worked out in public, woman sported those little stretchie short things, topped with thong leotards....is anyone with me here? Oh, don't worry, not only did i not put on the thong leotard, those were thrown out ages ago...but, i have kept and yes worn my little stretchie shorts - and let me tell u, those babies certainly dooo streeeeeeeeeetch! - . So, I put on my turquoise stretchie shorts, which hold the thighs in, top them with regular gym shorts, and ? Of course my husband's HUGE t-shirt, coz, well, i am kinda chubby right now, duh! Who am I surrounded by? These beautiful, albeit sweaty , women, in exercise pants......all of them wearing black ones...they are bell-bottomed and topped with stretchy black tank tops. First, I see, woah, Patty, u r sticking out like a sore thumb, and my second thought(before i lose all oxygen to the brainfrom my exercise-induced stupor), is, aren't they hot in those pants?

Fashion never did make much sense, not even in exercise gear. Years and years ago, when I was in my early 20's, we all wore nude tights, leotards, and, how oh how does this make sense? Wool leg warmers. Dumb. We were exercising, why would our ankles be cold? Topped with the 'flash-dance' cut up-off-the-shoulder-tee, and a head-sweat band and wrist bands? Some of our leotards were even belted, for what? To hold up our nude stockings? Ridiculous! Then, as a young mom in my 30's, that shorts/thong look....but now? Pants? Whatever! I was going to run down to the mall today and get some, but my youngest is home sick......there is no waaay that i am going to work out, or should i say, 'stick out' more than i already do, in my ridiculous exercise shloppp! (gotta give Lexi a shout out on that term), and while i am at it, 'GO U').

Hopefully, in a month, i will report back svelter, sleeker, and yeah, baby, way in style in my own exercise pants - though, really, i hope i don't get too hot:)

Blessings,

Patty56