chapter 3

A few weeks of running the business side of studio could not have run any smoother for Abby. She had never been more productive with running the paperwork side of the business. Her nightmare about her being fat had been buried by the new confidence and low stress lifestyle now that she had become a desk jockey. Summer had transitioned to fall, and Abby’s clothes had shrunk a bit; but Kurt did mess up the laundry.

Abby had her yearly doctor appointment; it was basically a formality since she has been healthy and fit her entire life. She flipped through a book on finance while nibbling on another one of Kurt’s strawberry pastries. A short chubby nurse came into the room and called out “Abby Hastings” and she got up and proceeded to exam room. The nurse then said, “Ok let’s take your weight and height.” Abby kicked off her shoes and stepped on the wobbly metal apparatus. The nurse struggled to take Abby’s height as usual since Abby is 5’9” and the poor chubby nurse was 5’0”. She read out, “Ok your still 5’9” lets take your weight.” The nurse lunged over to scribble down her height and then returned to move the small metal tabs on the balance and said, “Ok your 155.7lbs.”

Abby raised an eyebrow and said puzzled, “I’m not 155.7lbs.” The nurse scribbled down the number and said, “That’s what the scale says.” Abby retorted, “Can you take it again?” The nurse begrudgingly agreed as Abby stepped of the scale and stepped back on. The nurse messed with the weights and read aloud looking at Abby, “Looks like it was wrong it says your 156.3lbs.” Abby’s face soured as she slipped on her sneakers and walked slightly dejected to the exam room.

She sat on the crinkly paper on the exam table as the doctor walked in and said in her usual calm voice. “Good afternoon Abby how are you doing today?” Abby replied, “I’m doing alright.” The doctor replied as she looked at her file, “That didn’t sound alright. Ah I see the issue you up on 17.9lbs since the last time you were here.” Abby looked at the floor and replied, “Yeah I don’t know how I put that much weight on.” The doctor asked, “Have you made any drastic changes to your diet and lifestyle?” Abby sighed and replied, “Yeah I took more of a desk job position a few months ago and I’m still eating like I teach 5 hours’ worth of dance classes a day, and Kurt’s cooking is divine. I still workout three times a week I don’t know how I am getting fat.”

The doctor replied gesturing to the book next to Abby, “Well when did you start taking a more managerial paper work related to your business?” Abby solemnly replied, “Just over 2 months.” The Doctor raised an eyebrow and replied, “So you have inadvertently gained nearly 9lbs a month. I suggest changing your diet and doing more cardio.” Abby nodded and said, “Those are both doable.” The doctor replied gesturing to her visible muffin top, “Good you don’t want to end up like me.” Abby chuckled a bit and said, “I think if anything I would hope to look like that if I get fat because you rock it well.” The two chucked and proceeded with the rest of the appointment.