My grandmother, Gam, as we fondly called her, was a woman of great wisdom.

Unparalleled tea-brewing skills, master cookie baker, Saturday night TV lottery player and toes that made fashion decisions complicated.

Yep, I’m talking about toes today. Specifically, the mighty second toe.

Gam had what my mom referred to as “peek-a-boo panic toes.” She couldn’t stand open-toed shoes because her second toe would boldly leap beyond acceptable boundaries (i.e., the edge of her shoes), like it was trying to sneak out for a midnight snack.

I didn’t know this until recently but it seems that her long second toe ruined every pair of heels she ever owned.

Well, turns out I inherited the family legacy.

My second toe? It’s clearly an overachiever.

Longer than my big toe, proud, and apparently - according to my kids - comedy gold.

They mock it. Regularly.

Especially when they’re mid-pedicure. (because yes, I swindle regular spa services in exchange for snacks and WiFi)

They laugh with the kind of innocent cruelty only your own children can deliver.

I didn’t even think my toes were weird until they pointed it out. (I laugh along with them because - FREE pedicure)

But, I kinda love them. My toes I mean.

(Okay fine, the kids too… but mostly my toes right now.)​
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You should see the way I fold a fitted sheet. I’m convinced it’s my long toe energy channeling itself into domestic wizardry. (Someone call Hogwarts!)

Gam may have hated her peek-a-boo toes, but I’m here to break the cycle.

My toes are mine. Long. Loyal. Excellent balance. Perfect for picking up that sock I dropped and can’t be bothered to bend for.

And I’m not hiding them. Nope.

And just when you thought we’d reached peak toe content… behold.

Here’s the thing Reader, we all have our “weird” things. The bits we hide or hate or squish into shoes that don’t really fit.
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But what if we stopped trying to fix what isn’t broken? What if we loved our long toes, our laugh lines, the wrinkles on your my forehead, all of our imperfectly perfect parts?

You know? Basically everything I’m all about. What Fitter @ 50 is all about.
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Not turning yourself into someone new, but becoming someone who finally embraces what’s already pretty dang amazing.

You don’t need to change everything to feel great in your skin.

You need to make peace with what’s real, do a little loving maintenance - consistently - and maybe, just maybe, learn how to fold a fitted sheet like a pro!

The key word? Consistent.
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I must say that word at least a hundred times in the Walk It Off: 30 Day Stride Series I’m about to launch. It’s coming, promise.

(I’ve been consumed making cinnamon buns...and toe content. As one is.)

Hang tight while I find time to pull the walking program together.

While you wait; love yourself!

And let your second toe live its best life.
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Nat - your long-toe fitted sheet sorceress
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P.S. Got a quirky body trait your kids roast you for? Hit reply and tell me.

Bonus points if it involves a toe, an eyebrow, or a rogue elbow. I live for your replies.