Leading up to the Big 5-0!

 My birthday was Friday, February 5th and I turned 49 years old. I don't even know how it is possible that I am this old already - I feel like my years as a party girl, career woman, dating my now-husband, even high school were not that long ago! But alas, every time I look in the mirror I am reminded that yes, yes it is possible and every wrinkle and sagging area is evidence of all my years leading up to now.

But you should also know that I am very GRATEFUL to be where I am. I lost a cousin to melanoma when she was only 39 years old; I have lost high school classmates; I know several people who have already lost their spouses. So trust me, I am happy to be alive and be this "old"! 

COVID-19 was not super good to me in the exercise department. I was a regular at the classes at the gym until COVID shut everything down last March and put everyone in a tizzy about keeping in shape. Lots of people exercised in front of their tv at home or walked outside. I tried the tv thing, but we got a puppy the week before the shut-down and he was nipping at my ankles and climbing on me when I was on the floor doing planks, so it was a good excuse to stop. I am not self-motivated anyway. Walking outside was good for a while, but not enough to keep me toned. Then things loosened up a bit so I rejoined my gym. I live in a small town which was evident when I returned - often times there were only 2 of us in the classes! I just couldn't get motivated by that. I used to meet my friend at the gym back in the pre-COVID days and that held me accountable and gave me some social time. She started doing CrossFit in someone's private gym during all the months of things being closed or restricted to mask-wearing and she got in the best shape of her life - we ended up at the opposite ends of the spectrum during this time! So I cancelled my gym membership recently. 

I was a skinny child and a late bloomer so was lanky and awkward until I finally hit puberty in my teen years. I filled out some, but was still a small woman (I still have my first license - I was 110 lbs and 5'4" tall at 16 years old). I gained the freshman 15 in college and it all went to my butt and hips. After graduation I moved back home and joined the local gym and was in the best shape ever - when I was 23 I weighed 123 and felt great. I have never been technically overweight, but my natural body composition is squishy. My sister on the other hand - her legs are to die for! How we have the same genetics is beyond me! I have never liked my legs, no matter how fit I was. As an older adult, the best time for me was when I was 40. I had my 2nd son when I was 39, turned 40 less than 2 months later, and the magic sauce was exercising every morning and breastfeeding. Oh those were the days! Everyone else was complaining about their metabolism slowing down and I was burning calories left and right! My husband, 2 year old son, and 4 month old son had just moved to New Hampshire from Northern Virginia to be near my family and for a slower pace of life. I quit my full time job to become a stay-home Mom, and joining the gym was literally a God-send. I met so many Moms who are still in my close circle of friends. All our kids went to the childcare together while we sweated during Zumba, kickboxing, weight lifting, and step aerobics classes. IT. WAS. THE. BEST. Then the gym went bankrupt and suddenly that was all taken away from us. Sigh.

Fast forward to now - I have always tried to eat healthy, but I eat sweets far too often and I like fattening food a lot. I don't turn things down like other responsible adults do. I have never had a knack for willpower! (Another sigh) I am quite out of shape now, full on squishy everywhere, and have a new layer of fat on my upper body that I never had before. So let me tell you what I'm doing - I made a goal in honor of my 50th birthday which is yes, a year away.

Ready for it? I'm going to walk 50 miles a month for the next 12 months. That might not seem like much to an avid runner or someone who already walks several times a week, but for me (who is doing nothing besides taking short walks a couple times a week and doing a random squat in my kitchen or a push up on my stairs) it will be a lot, but also achievable. I also started NeoraFit today. I am keeping this blog to document my journey in hopes it will help hold me accountable. And who knows?! Maybe someone will want to join me, even if it's virtually! 

I want to look and feel my best when I have that milestone birthday. I am already planning a celebration for the big 5-0 - my sons, husband, and I are going to vacation in the Caribbean for a few days then they will fly home and my girlfriends will meet me in the Caribbean for a few more days! I already can't wait! But I need to feel somewhat confident in a bathing suit. There is nothing worse than constantly figuring out how to hide my legs like I do every day in the summer (and we live a block away from the lake and spend many days at the beach). 

I need to have my 50 miles by the 5th of each month. I'm hoping between the consistent walking and NeoraFit, I'll be back in shape, looking and feeling good by the end of my 12 months. Now it's time to get ready for church and then take a walk!