Above the Knee

Hello, my beautiful readers... Are you out there? If so, here's a little story for you:

Today I bought a dress that falls slightly above the knee. No big deal: pretty dress, nice fit, nice colors, but oh goodness! I have to show my legs in order the wear it! I can't remember when was the last time that I actually showed my knees in public; five years? Eight years? I hate my knees with a passion! As a matter of fact, I don't think there are any knees to speak of, just two shapeless and chubby "squares" of skin above my calves and shins. You look at me from the side, all you see is a flat surface from the thigh to the knee... NO shape whatsoever. But wait a minute, perhaps there were a couple of times in which I did dare to wear something that showed a bit of leg in recent years; however, I've always felt that women were staring disapprovingly and men would check my face out, smile, but then look down, see my legs, and well... Just look away. Don't get me wrong, I do wear skirts and dresses, but never anything that show a single inch of skin above my shins.

What to do with chubby knees? Actually, what to do with chubby legs? There have been a least numerous people who have commented, in playful tones, that my legs are chubby (one of them was an former boyfriend of mine... I can't tell you how many times he had to hear me complain about that particular occasion in which he DARED comment on my legs). I just don't think they're pretty legs, despite what other boyfriends (and my current fiancee) say. Experts argue that you can't actually change the shape of a specific body part by just by losing weight. In other words, it doesn't matter how many crunches you're willing to endure, your stomach will still be bulgy even if your ab muscles are super strong... Yes, you might lose weight by exercising (and eating properly), but you will never be able to shed inches exactly where you would like them off. I know I'm not the only one with this problem... Go online, google "fat knees," see how many entries you get.

There's something else I need to say about my legs: they might not be pretty, but they do beautiful things. First of all, they take me places... Hello! How terrible would it be to not be able to use my legs? I am most thankful that I can. Second of all, they allow me to dance! Yes! I dance. I do this cool Mexican folk style that not only entails wearing long skirts (phew! what a relief!), but that also requires A LOT of leg strength: there's much stomping and turning and making noise. I love it and I love that my legs allow me to do it. Plus, my two chubby friends jump and run and kick and stretch at the gym. Third, my thighs and knees and calves and feet allow me to give my future husband lots of love. I can embrace him entirely, with my whole body; and that's the best feeling there is.

In sum, yes, I hate how my legs look, but in this process of beginning to love my body just the way it looks, I have to start showing them off. You don't like them? Well, you're entitled to look away... I will not. Not anymore. Late-summer short dresses, here I come!