Birthday Surprise

At the Swim Store

What an unexpected treat - on my 51st birthday

Mind you, I was the skinny one

This story begins as I walk into a swim-specialty store and had the surprise of my life

2020 lockdowns sucked
2021 would be a special year
How about a very special story

I'd gained too much weight to have the privilege of purchasing certain types of swimwear

Read that again - There were now certain types of clothing unavailable to my body - Wow

I'm sorry Sir - That particular brand sizing ends on the top side with a forty inch swim waist

Perplexed, I'm looking at plastic donuts that partition one bunch of clothes from next
The number clearly says, "40" and I already know my jeans are smaller than that
Forty inches in a swimming-tighty is not how that waist number describes jeans

We hid in jeans - we can buy certain brands of jeans that are bigger or smaller
In a bathing suit, those measurements are quite literal in what they convey

MoneyPenny: Now I'm going to read your mind

MoneyPenny: You'll be cutting out Mt Dew and Doritos in the future

On that day, I purchased two bathing suits

One of the suits was the biggest available in that style - Men's Size 40
Then I bought another version of that suit, one size smaller than that - 38
Let's say I felt I could be personally responsible for moving from one to next

Working my way into the first one by putting it on when I shouldn't have - was not easy
That was pretty motivating - all those people at the pool - I was very embarrassed
I'm sure they don't remember the non-fitting bathing suit but I definitely do

I had to hold in my stomach just to get it on - I am not kidding
I had to keep my stomach held in from locker room to pool
Why would we even do such things to ourselves
Because I wanted to keep it real
So I did - exactly that

That first one; I wore it so much that the threads started to deteriorate.
Which would be fine but that makes the b#ttcr@ck visible
Don't do that - don't do any of that
Those are my lowest moments

Why was I such a fool
Why did I let my health get away from me
These are questions I had to embrace spiritually

These bathing suits have a way of getting lost and forgotten
Losing bathing suits is cool which sucks unless they don't fit
So don't lose them! They are not cheap! This is a gift to self from you

Buying yourself a wrong fitting bathing suit
Just so you can experience the self loathing
It's not a terrible idea but it's not a good idea either

Don't miss out - Don't let it go to waste - Or waist
Your body is your soul's mate
Stop making excuses

Do what you have to do

I didn't think I'd ever get back into a 36

After dropping 30+ pounds in around eight months
It seems inevitable that I'll have this in control again
We just have to keep on doing what we know is right

MoneyPenny: This mess is fixed in the kitchen first and then later in the gym

MoneyPenny: Believe me - being an every-week swimmer is totally badass

Try meeting a woman like this
Without having been taking care
Of yourself the full year before that lucky meeting

Spoiler Alert: You'll be invisible if you weren't on it already
You won't have the chance to get in shape at that time
You need to do the work first on faith that she arrives


Then one day she walks up, says hello and either smiles or treats you like you're invisible

So which is it

Everything you are
Hasn't change on the interior

Yet everything you represent
Will be judged by the exterior

I didn't make the rules

Everything you've done
Will be evaluated in an instant

Good Luck to you
Don't miss the moment

Except it's really not luck is it

Lesson Summary

On their 51st birthday, the narrator had a surprising experience at a swim-specialty store that marked a turning point in their life:

• Despite being considered skinny previously, weight gain led to limited options in swimwear sizing.
• Encountering swimsuit sizes smaller than their jeans drove home the reality of clothing fit.
• The journey towards better health kickstarted with the purchase of two bathing suits: one size 40 and the other 38.
• Wearing the size 40 suit was a challenge, igniting embarrassment and motivation to improve.
• Struggling with the tight fit and visible damage emphasized the need for self-acceptance and health.
• After losing 30+ pounds in eight months, getting back to a size 36 felt achievable through perseverance.
• The importance of prioritizing health, particularly through dietary changes and regular swimming, was emphasized.
• A cautionary tale advised against buying ill-fitting swimwear to avoid self-criticism and waste.
• The narrative concluded with a reminder to invest in self-care and effort, as external appearances can shape initial impressions.