By Heather O.

1. I have always called them ‘bingo arms’ because (for lack of a better way to explain), when older ladies win at bingo they get all excited and wave the arms around shouting BINGO!

   Comment #1 by JSFebruary 11th, 2008 at 7:40 am

2. I have the start of Relief Society arms now, but I wonder how they can come when we’re all lifting heavy carseats and babies/toddlers all day long! Shouldn’t that be enough to keep our triceps in better shape?

   I have a funny story about them, though. I didn’t have RS arms nearly as bad when I was a 21-year old missionary in the MTC. But a few crazy elders in my district thought it would be funny to see anyway, so whenever they shook my hand hello, they’d shake my whole arm so they could see if my RS arms would flap. They wisely left my companion alone, knowing she couldn’t take it, but they were merciless to me becuase I was a good sport. Now that I look back on it, I shouldn’t have been so easy on them. Dumb 19-year old boys.

   Comment #2 by StarababaFebruary 11th, 2008 at 7:58 am

3. Thanks to lovely DNA I was born with the dreaded RSA! Seriously. No amount of weights can get these babies under control, they are what they are.

   I have a photo of me, as a cheerleader in the famous “sit on the grass, one knee up, elbow on knee, fist on chin, SMILE!” and well, my RSA is just about the same size as my thigh. Yup.

   I weighed about 105 in that photo and you could bounce a dime of any square inch of me, save the upper arm. e-freaking-gads, you should see ‘em now!

   Comment #3 by s'meeFebruary 11th, 2008 at 1:21 pm

4. I call them my “strong arms.” No matter what I do or how much I weigh, they look like turkey drum sticks. Blah.

   Comment #4 by fluffychickyFebruary 11th, 2008 at 1:24 pm

5. Hmm. I’m not sure if I have them. I suppose I do. The trouble is, I don’t think I’ve never NOT had them. (except for about 3 months in 1992, when I had a Soloflex in my apartment and used it every day. My mantra was “Linda Hamilton Linda Hamilton Linda Hamilton” — like in T2).

   Comment #5 by meemsFebruary 11th, 2008 at 9:30 pm

6. Great post, Heather. I have RS Arms, too. I have watched my grandma’s lovely arms for years, wondering when genetics would catch up with me. Now I know.

   Perspective: I’d rather have RS Arms than the “bellyjelly” that leads some people to start rumors that you’re pregnant again… Luckily, it’s been enough years since that one that I can now laugh about it.

   Comment #6 by Michelle AMFebruary 12th, 2008 at 1:00 pm

7. I haven’t got them yet, but my arms are utterly weak and without muscle, which I really ought to work on remedying prior to baby’s arrival so I can lug him around.

   I do, however, have a chin that whenever I look downwards suddenly appears to double (or at least thicken quite considerably and look rather ridiculous in photos). And I’ve got plenty of thigh flab to make up for the current (and I’m assuming temporary, based on all my relatives) lack of arm flap.

   Comment #7 by kaduseyFebruary 12th, 2008 at 4:27 pm

8. This made me smile on a day that hasn’t been very smiley…So thanks! I had a friend in England who called them “milk arms”–due to the correlation between pregnancy/lactation and the sad increase of her upper arms. I personally think it has more to do with my chocolate consumption while experiencing pregnancy and lactation… Maybe I can call them “chocolate milk arms?” Pitiful, pitiful…

   Comment #8 by ErinFebruary 12th, 2008 at 5:50 pm

9. Erin, I’d prefer milk chocolate arms (over “chocolate milk arms”)… with some peanuts, please.

   I assume my own arm flab has some relation to my chocolate intake, but I’m not willing to give up the best food on the planet so I will deal with the arms (and the thighs and the stomach…) Okay, quitting now before I get so depressed I need to eat some chocolate!

   Thanks for a great post, everyone. I’m enjoying the laughs with this one.

   Comment #9 by Michelle AMFebruary 13th, 2008 at 5:12 am

10. I’d like to think that RS arms are arms outreached in service to one another…I know it sounds cheesy but that’s how RS presidents think.

    Comment #10 by JennyFebruary 19th, 2008 at 12:04 pm

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