The long term

Nooooo! I hate to think that far ahead!!!!

Seriously, tho…I plan to keep on doing what I’m doing as long as I physically can. Mother Nature can be tricky (I look at my formerly active husband who’s had a bunch of discs in his neck fused and can’t lift more than 20 pounds to know this), so at this point, barring major injury, critical illness, or the myriad of other crap that can happen to a body, I will press on as long as I can and adapt as the situation changes. What else can you do?

I've alway had the misfortune of watching the problems that occur when one doesn't correctly take care of themselves. My mom eats healthy foods, but sticks to a strict 600 calorie a day diet and the only exercise she's ever done is a minimal amount of cardio. Therefore, try as she might, as she gets older she can't keep her body from falling apart. Her back hurts, her bones are weak, she has no muscle and her major organs don't function correctly. She's constantly in and out of doctors and she's been told she needs back surgery, but she can't afford to be out of work during the time it would take to recover. I've told her to try lifting weights to help strengthen her muscles and bones and she gives me the old "I don't want to look like a man!" excuse. I've tried to teach her about nutrition, but she says I'm not a doctor. A couple years ago, I vowed never to be like that. I developed a healthy sustainable diet that I can stick to indefinitely. I workout to build core strength, so I don't have back problems. I love to walk, so barring losing my legs, that's something I can always do. I check my blood pressure often and I'm working on getting to my goal weight in the next few months. I indulge in plenty of coffee and I follow my uber-healthy grandma's advice and don't pass on a good red wine or craft beer, so I won't have heart problems.

well, I plan to lift heavy weights until I die. Lots of lean muscle = healthy, vibrant old lady. If I get hurt somewhere between now and then, I'll eat insane amount of protein to spare to insane amount of muscle I already have. Old ppl get fragile not because they are old. They get fragile b/c they lose most of their muscle.

Its awesome that you are thinking that far ahead - I sooooo wish I had. When I was younger I had a 10 - 20 lb problem, but I was always into fitness so I didn't consider it a big problem, and was able to keep it in check. You think I might have considered that it would get harder with age but I was an idiot - and then life got in the way and I didn't have time for fitness and BAM I was 48 with a 40 lb problem and an ultra slow metabolism. But after almost a year of struggle, I'm finally getting older and wiser and making peace with the fact that this is forever. So I'm and learning to look forward to my workouts and not obsess over food. The latter is harder but I'm getting there with planning (which I loath but it works). But as far as what will be my favorite exercise in 10 - 20 years - who knows? Something to look forward to - change is good!

I'll hit 40 this year. Last year, I kicked a metal chair by accident and could hardly walk for six months, spent part of it on crutches to allow ligament rest. So, last Mother's Day until about Labor Day, I was out of commission. I got in the habit of convincing myself Splenda was bad (and it may very well be), but started drinking my kid's sugar sweetened Tea they love ("like McDonalds"). I know, it's a vice. They have few. And they are from the South...they needed to learn to drink tea. It's served EVERYWHERE, often when colas are not.

Between that, and eating with three teens...I saw my first "freshman 15" fly by. I didn't do it my freshman year of college, and through three pregnancies not wanting to bottom out. It hit me at 39. And I wanted to catch it before I couldn't.

So, here I am. I tried a New Year's resolution that I'd do what I could, not make excuses for what I couldn't do or didn't want to do. I decided I could walk on the treadmill, every day, for at least 15 minutes, without even getting so sweaty I'd have to change and shower. That was something. I began tracking my food. That was something. I made a goal. That was something.

Two months later, I've lost 8.4% of my body weight, hopefully mostly fat, am lifting 5 pound weights for arms several times a week, look considerably more toned, am less ten pounds, and am up to running a 5K 3-4 times a week in about 38 minutes. I can now run 5mph for about 40 minutes. It hurts, but I can do it. Yay, me! I try to go a little faster every time, or a little longer, or a little harder, just to mix it up. I'll probably get outside in the Spring. I'd love to see that 27 minute mark again for a 5K! I finished 3rd in my gender age group in a Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure a few years ago. Was so proud of myself!

I'm doing exercise videos I find at Goodwill (funny how people get rid of those) to tone when I don't feel like running or get burned out on it. Slim in Six makes me feel like I can't sit down on my rear for about two days. I emphasize one week of running, and the next week on strength/toning that way for now. It's cheap, and better than nothing. I try not to get caught up in trends or whatever "everyone is doing", but just do what I can. I've had to give up some other things I love, like scrapbooking, to stay motivated in this area. I read about it, motivate myself, and try to keep going strong. I can do other things after I tackle this.

I hope the habit of "doing what I can" will help carry me through the rough times. I've had so many seasons of health. Some good, some sick, some sick for an entire winter with three sick kids. I thank God for good health through this winter (partly attributed to working out). It's by grace alone. If I do not always wear this size or smaller, I just won't. The world won't end. There are more important things than size and muscle. But, I do need to give it my best while I'm afforded the health to do so, and do the best I can with what I have. If my knees hurt, I do ab work that day or take a rest day. I am stronger than I was.

I'm excited that my husband enjoys the company, and has lost about 10 pounds as well, and that makes me very happy. He's very busy at work right now--it's awesome to be meeting goals together and on the same page. When we aren't, it stresses me out watching everyone else eat whatever while I'm trying so hard to lose a little. We are both more fit, enjoying that time together, and each other more. We are celebrating successes together. Such a rich time. I hope every year, we will have something we can enjoy together, for us, tennis is something that ages well with you, and I hope we can always enjoy that together as much as we did while we were dating 22 years ago.