Wrapped in a towel, infront of the mirror, putting in my contacts, reality quickly came into focus. Oh no, not the graying temples, or the patch of gray hair on my chest. Something even more sinister.

Love Handles! Plain as day…the morning light giving them a healthy glow. It popped out of my mouth before I realized it, Loudly I declared “I’m not in love with you! Love Handles begone!” I laughed at the outburst and glanced back with the tiny hope my love handles left willingly. Alas, they still cling to me.

As I shaved, I wondered how they got their name? What possessed someone to call them love handles? I giggled at the dirty thoughts that danced in my head. As the saucey images faded like the disco beats of yesteryear, I found no logical explanation to marry “love” and “handle”.

Then, memories of being a chubby kid flooded my head (God love the baggage of childhood) and my adult-onset vanity set in. I smiled at myself and started my new mantra …

“Love Handles begone!”

I’ve always heard, a mantra-a-day will keep the love handles away!

Oh okay, I’m eventually gonna eat smaller meals and get off my butt to exercise. In the meantime, I continue with the mantra …

“Love Handles begone!”