The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
PHOTO PROMPT © Nancy Richy
Genre: Humor if it weren’t so true.
Word Count: 100
MOMENT OF TRUTH
The menacing scale in my doctor’s office looms before me. Every six months I’m forced to face the numbers.
I’m sure I’ve gained thirty pounds since my last visit.
Mom would say, “Forget about the number. How do your clothes fit?”
Nurse Godzilla, clipboard in hand, urges me to step up.
The accusing voice in my head screams. “Hippo!”
This is ridiculous. I’m making myself crazy. Will the voices ever still?
Holding my breath, eyes shut, I ascend the monster. Opening my eyes, I’m surprised to see I’ve lost a pound since last time. I grin. I’m safe…until next time.
********
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
Weight is just a number. What matters is how one feels.
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Dear Sadje,
I know this in my head, but I have to admit the same anxiety each time. Sigh. Better than it used to be. The fact is, my clothes fit and I’m healthy. Thank you for reading and your encouraging comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You’re most welcome
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Oh, the terrors of childhood! Well capured, Rochelle
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Dear Neil,
Actually, when I was a child I couldn’t have cared less what I weighed. I was a skinny kid and weight was hardly a concern. This story is more about the terrors of an adult fixated on the numbers. Better than I used to be in my “Annie” days. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The tricks our mind plays on us you portrayed well, Rochelle.
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Dear Joy,
It is a mind game. I wish it weren’t so. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You captured a moment of terror,
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Once again WordPress is foxing me. The above anonymous posting is from Micheal Humphris
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Dear Michael,
Sorry about Word Press. I appreciate your identifying yourself. SMH. At any rate thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m totally fixated by the numbers. No need to wait for a visit to the docs, I’m on those scales morning and night, records stretching back for years. In fact, I can’t let one pair of scales go without running the replacement set in tandem to calibrate the difference for future records. Fortunately, though I watch what I eat, I don’t think it’s anything more than an obsession with the numbers. So I’m with you on this.
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Dear Sandra,
About five years ago I put on some extra weight after mega doses of IV antibiotics. The weight just would not come off. My doctor started me on Ozempic. I dropped thirty pounds at a decent rate of 2 lbs a week and got into the habit of weighing once a week. Once I stopped losing about 5lbs came back. I realized I was making myself crazy with weighing so often. My doctor and I agree that it’s sensible for me to only weigh at her office. But I sweat bullets stepping on the scales. There’s still a bit of Elise and Annie going on inside my head. Thank you for…ahem…weighing in.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Circumstances have forced me to exercise, eat more sensibly, and lose weight. Been doing fairly well, but since we’re doing a lot of home interior renovations, the scale is packed away so I can’t see how much. I’ve a doctor’s appointment on the 5th (the medical technician is really quite nice), so I’ll find out then.
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Dear James,
All the best on your health journey. I find for me the best thing is to weigh only at the doctor’s office.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I have all my clothes on at the doctor’s office. I weigh less just in my shorts at home when I first wake up. 😉
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Dear Rochelle,
That inner voice can be so damn loud. Hard to ignore, hard to diss and hard to make disappear.
Excellent portrayal of the daemons inside of some of us.
Shalom and lotsa healthy, just the right weight, love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
For the past four years or so I’ve maintained a healthy weight. My clothes fit fine and I’m healthy. But I do go through the same mental gymnastics at every doctor’s appointment. Those voices are hard to make disappear indeed. Thank you for your validating and encouraging comment.
Shalom and lotsa healthy hugs,
Rochelle
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That’s a wonderful thing. And keep fighting Annie.
I keep telling myself to ignore the scale (bitch) and pay attention to my clothes and how they fit (not very well, right now). Sigh. I’m thankfully, not of the nature to fall into the eating disorder trap (I love my food and I hate to barf). My lack of being able to do exercise right now is what is not helping.
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Oh boy! This is something we can all relate to big time!
I love your take on this photo, Rochelle. Thanks!
Peace –
🕊️
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Dear Nancy,
Thank you for the great photo. I have to say, I didn’t have to give it much thought. During the worst of my eating disorder, no matter how thin I got, I saw the hippo in the mirror. Glad you enjoyed my take. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s a truly heartbreaking and very personal struggle.
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Dear Nancy,
There’s a reason I only weigh in the doctor’s office. 😉 Thank you for your understanding and for the great photo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hear you, Rochelle! I’ll keep my eye out for more good photo ops.
Peace,
Nancy
🕊️
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So true, for so many of us. I generally resist the scales in favour of the clothing option, but it means when I do have to weigh myself I suffer from ‘sticker shock’. Was it always thus, or has the means to measure our body mass lured us into thinking it is important?
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Dear Jen,
There are conflicting charts as to what’s the ideal weight. And of course, that varies with age. I’ve had to make peace with my “older ideal.” Fortunately my doctor (you know her as Susan in LDWA) has seen me through the worst and is my greatest cheerleader. Still my pulse races as I step up on the evil scale. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I recently managed to shed some weight. That’s the upside. The downside is that I’ve had to spend loads buying new clothes!
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Dear Keith,
Aw shucks. New clothes? A woman’s dream. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You sound just like me, Rochelle. That little voice in our heads! Loved your story. Funny and relatable.
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Dear Rosemary,
That inner voice is merciless, isn’t it? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The dread is palpable. For heavy people that dread is just the opposite 😦
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Dear Lisa,
One would think I’d be past the dread. But that’s the one thing that does hang on, daring me to dance with Annie. (Sorry, honey, my dance card is too full for you.) Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, you’re very welcome. That residue is like pine resin stuck to the bottom of your shoe.
Shalom,
Lisa
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the dread of numbers does weigh on some folks. it might help if you follow the basic rule of eating to live and not living to eat. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
Nice work if you can get it. Sadly, while it’s true that we eat to live, etc. it’s a platitude that doesn’t help.
Glad to see you back.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Yes, we become weighed down by our fears.
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Indeed we do. Thank you whoever you are.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You portrayed the fear that plagues most of us very well, Rochelle. Healthy and happy is the best. I avoid scales whenever possible. 🙂
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Dear Brenda,
I try to rest in the realization that I’m relatively healthy–I can easily swim 1-2 miles at a stretch–and my clothes fit. 😉 The scales are NOT my friends. Thank you for understanding.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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We all know it’s about being healthy, not about the numbers, but those awful voices… Great job capturing the stress. -Angela
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Dear Angela,
With all the emphasis on weight in our societies, it’s easy to fall prey to the numbers game. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The curse of the human condition beautifully illustrated.
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Many thanks, Patrick.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, the thoughts in her mind. So tough to fight those negative voices.
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Dear Laurie,
Those voices are hard to ignore. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Those numbers sure can get a hold of us. Well shown in this, Rochelle.
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Dear Margaret,
Those numbers can indeed hold us captive. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Well described what was indoctrinated into all of us at an early age. Calling herself hippo is so painful.
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Dear Gabi,
From those first visits to the pediatrician and beyond, we are weighed, measured and analyzed, aren’t we? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I hate the scale!
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Me, too, Dawn. Me, too.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What? Lucky. If Godzilla were my nurse, I’d go to the doctor way more often. “Dr. Ghidorah will be right with you.” Awesome! Even I was brainwashed as a kid watching my mom go through the same thing. She’s 5’6″, weighing it at about 115.
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