A winter day in Alberta can be quite unpredictable. You might wake up to temperatures as low as minus 45 degrees, only to find it warming up to plus two by lunchtime. Then, a storm can roll in with freezing rain in the afternoon. The following day, you could discover an ice rink hidden beneath 50 centimetres of snow. I am part of the wonder of it all and enjoy this fantastic display of nature's power. I feel fortunate because I am living the dream. While some people spend their lives in beach attire, I have perfected the art of layering: if it's cold, I add more layers; if it warms up, I stow away the extra layers in a bag for the next transition in Alberta's beautiful weather.

I look at this paradox and see a reflection of my own body. With my thyroid issues, perimenopause, and mood swings that cause hunger and overeating, I feel like a cold winter day. Let me introduce you to my thick skin, which goes through waves of feeling too fat and then suddenly being skinny, just like the six-month winters in Alberta. Right now, I'm in hibernation mode— fat baby, grow baby.