Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin Feels Cake!

Belinda Bentink had dieted for the last time.

The sign hanging in the gym window taunted her every morning on the way to meet her friends for coffee. “Nothing Tastes As Good As Thin Feels !” it read, in bold, dynamic letters and adorned with images of impossibly svelte models who probably lived on diet coke and cigarettes. As a middle-aged woman, Belinda couldn’t help but snort at the absurdity of it all. The body shaming would not work on her any more!

Once upon a time, she was the image of the youthful beauty portrayed on that sign. Her prime had long since bid farewell and Belinda had settled comfortably into middle age, like a well-worn armchair that had lost its lustre. Life had morphed into a predictable routine revolving around food and drink. Retired and sedentary, nightclubs were traded for afternoon teas, and a once fiery sex life had cooled to non-existent. The closest she came to a hot date was a take-out in front of Strictly-Come-Dancing.

Confidence, like a fleeting dream, had ebbed away and comfort was found in the embrace of sweet treats and good friends. Her body had gradually expanded, year by year, and shedding the excess pounds became a Herculean task. Belinda often pondered the conundrum: “Does plumpness really matter in the grand scheme of things?”

“I suppose that’s what happens as we age – our priorities shift,” she thought. The beauty myth of slim equating to fitness had become an oppressive whisper, urging Belinda to return to the days of restrictive diets and gruelling workouts. Yet, she knew better. Attending pilates class three times a week, diligently stretching and contorting her ageing, creaky limbs. The sessions were usually followed by trips to Wetherspoons for a hearty curry and a half-pint of lager with friends, but was that such a crime? If it was a choice between loneliness and happiness, well…

One afternoon, as Belinda sat at her favourite cafe, gazing at the sugary delights displayed behind the glass, a thought crossed her mind. Why should she or anyone conform to society’s ideals of beauty, forsaking the simple pleasure of enjoying food and life? 

Retrieving a marker from her bag she walked across the road to the sign outside the gym and boldly crossed out the words “thin feels,” replacing them with “cake.” A mischievous grin spread across her face as she returned to the cafe and waited for friends. They watched in bemusement as she explained her minor act of rebellion and decided that celebratory cakes were in order.  Age might curtail a lot of things but certainly not anarchy. 

From that day forward, they lived by a modified mantra: “Nothing Tastes As Good As Cake.” Belinda and her friends revelled in the joy of a shared pastry, toasted sandwiches, and bottomless brunches with mimosas. Their bellies and hearts were full, friendships deepened, and their laughter echoed the wisdom of age. In her newfound contentment, Belinda realised that life was too short to be preoccupied with appearances and that the sweetness of a well-lived life was far more satisfying than any diet could ever promise.

She decided not to chase a certain body size but to cherish the vitality and flexibility her current size brought. She might not have been the image of youthful perfection, but she was, without a doubt, the picture of happiness. 

Inktober 2023

31 Days – 31 Drawings – 31 Tales