And later that same life

OK... So I totally forgot about this blog.... I had great intentions when I started it over 3 years ago to use it to journal my efforts at losing weight and getting into shape... Oopsy!  Funny how life gets in the way sometimes!

This morning on my way to work, I decided I wanted to become a Blogger... I don't know why.  I'm not even sure anyone would be interested in reading about my life - or that I am even interested in reading about my life.  But I see this as a way to express myself and if it can make just one person smile by reading it, that's good enough for me.

Mini-rant... I am not forcing anyone to read my posts...they are just meant to be a fun glimpse into my life, specifically in dealing with getting ready to turn 50 in less than two years.  If you don't like what I have to say, by all means, don't read it.  Constructive criticisms are fine - but if you are going to leave mean or nasty comments, I just ask you to not bother even reading my posts.  I see so many people on YouTube and blog posts whoa re just sharing things that are happening in their lives and the comments they get from so many people are just downright mean.  I'm a firm believer that if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all...

Rant over...

OK.. so why am I sharing with you (whoever "you" may be)???  I realized the other day that I am pretty darn close to turning 50.  I don't know why that popped in my head, but it did.  Am I looking forward to reaching that milestone?  Well, yes and no.  Yes because that means that I'm still on this side of the dirt, which is good.  No because...50 seems so OLD!!!

I think that is one reason I have been making life changes over the past few years.  I have lost about 80 pounds - but the weight hasn't changed in almost 2 years.  I am in better physical shape than I ever have been - who would've thought just two years ago that I would be able to walk more than a mile without feeling like I wanted to die.  Now I regularly do 1-2 miles on the treadmill + strength training 4 days a week.  And I just completed my third 5K mud obstacle course/run.  Granted, I didn't run and my fear of heights prevented me from climbing the 6 ft walls... but I finished all of them with no injuries.  Am I sore, well of course I am - I think that is just my body's way of reminding me that yes, I am 48 years old!

Losing weight has also brought other losses, too - I no longer have sleep apnea, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and am no longer borderline diabetic.  I don't take any medications, other than ibuprofen and vitamins and no longer have to wear a CPAP machine when I sleep.

The biggest loss from my getting-in-better-shape plan?  The loss of stores like Lane Bryant!!!  I may not be in the size I want to be in and there are some things that just don't fit me well... but I can shop pretty much anywhere I want to without having to make sure they have a plus-size department.  In most cases, the sizes I buy are NOT the largest ones in the store and there are so many more options out there!

There are so many other little things that have come from this new body... I can sit with my legs crossed and not be uncomfortable.  I can snuggle with Lillie on the couch without pushing her off with my body.  Ken and I can fit comfortably in my little flip flop car without crowding each other out.  I can bend over and pick stuff up off the ground without wondering if I can get back up.  These are things that people who have not had a weight problem sometimes take for granted.  I am still amazed everytime I sit on the couch with my feet curled up under me to read - something my "before" body could never do.

There are a lot of people who have helped make this possible - my hubby and Bestie have been so encouraging and motivating every step of the way.  My daughter's compliments mean more than she will ever know.  But, I know in my heart that the only person who made this happen was ME!  I made the decision to have weight loss surgery.  I could have easily just let the surgery do it's magic and be done with it.  But I know there is no magic - and I am the one who made the commitment to add exercise to my life.  Yes, I still have my Reese's more often than I should and there are days when I just don't go to the gym cause I don't want to.  But, those are decisions that I make - no one is pressuring me to do or not do anything.

So physically at least, I am going into my next decade in way better shape than I ever thought I would be. But mentally?????