Whats so good about being 19 anyway ?!?!

Awesome post!!! I feel the same way. My almost 9 year old daughter took a Zumba class with me the other night. She plays basketball, all legs, and very active. And yet, she was out of breath and I was still bouncing around at 34 years of age. Youth doesn't have to be wasted on the young. To me, for my 30s, I realize that I may have to work just a little harder to keep extra pounds off, but I'm wiser and know how to do it properly and can run farther, climb higher, and feel better... and appreciate all those things and not take them for granted.

Congrats on your 6kms! That's extremely impressive. Kiss those 20's goodbye with a bang, because 30s can and will definitely be YOUR time. Keep up the great work.

:flowerforyou: Wow love your post!!!! I can tell you that when I turned 30 you would have thought I was having a mid life crisis. It really bothered me, and all I can think is that I really liked being in my 20's, I was having the time of my life. Now I did get past it, turning 40 didn't bother me, heck at 42 to my surprise and remarried I had a baby (thinking all the while I was done having children, but oh what a blessing she has been). The joy and appreciation that comes with having a child later in life. I love it. Well I am 51 now, my hair is totally gray, little heavier than I like, menopause and all that jazz, but I'm lovin life, really lovin it.
I can't help but envy your success, and yet I am glad to share in the knowledge that its never too late to take care of ourselves and be the best we can be.........its as simple as placing one foot in front of the other!!!!! I wish you much continued success........:drinker: to your health
Debbie

My thirties, too, were wonderful. Wait til you're in your forties!!

Carefree but naive is clearly the right description. You also lack the resources to enjoy life to its fullest, I'm not talking about financial but emotional resources.

As you 'mature' you stop worrying about what others are thinking and just get on with living, the best thing one can do for themselves is to be comfortable in their own skin - how can you love life or anyone else if you don't love yourself?

As far as it being all downhill from 30, 40 or 50....thats BS!!

In the past 9 months myfitnesspal has helped me keep on track as I prepared for the biggest challenge of my lifetime. I spent the month of July, and my 53rd birthday, with my 22-year old son mountaineering in beautiful British Columbia, Alberta and Montana. Something I have never done and a spectacular experience that I know I will repeat. Happy to share my experiences with you through my blog at www.mountainhighbc.com

Life can be over at any age...if YOU give in....

I dunno about being 19 either. I had one baby at 19 and another at 20.:blushing: I was incredibly naive at that age. I like knowing what I know now, although I'd rather be the weight I was then....lol. I remember thinking I was SUCH a heifer when I was wearing size 13's. That cracks me up...I WISH I was a 13 again! And hopefully will be again someday.

Why do we worship 19? Is it because it's only 1 year after legal? Or is it because it's barely out of puberty? Is it because these young girls are vulnerable and often uncomfortable in their skin (I was, even though I was under 100 lbs when I was that age). Perhaps it's not a female perspective, but one built more from a male gaze?

Today at 44, I am more in control, smarter, healthier, fastest, and yes, I take up more space and I have no problem with that. What I don't have (that I did when I was 19) are the overwhelming feelings of inadequacy or being intimidated. I am rarely intimidated these days. I am comfortable with who I am and I rarely let others make me feel bad by their judgement of me. And I can overcome pretty much anything today, better than I could have at 19.

So what is the deal with 19 year olds? It has nothing to do with actual 19 year olds. Is it because the ideal skinny body types are in all the fashion magazines are associated with that age? Or because they are shown to us as the ideal in commercials and sell us our shared values and sense of desire?

If you're interested, you might want to rent the documentary "Killing Us Softly." There are several versions, but the most recent lecture is 1999 (vol. 3 I think), so it's more relevant. I show this to my women's history class on women, image, and the media. It's an eye opener, but for the many experienced members here, it may not be surprising.

So to all you beautiful women who take up some space, like me, who are interested in improving their health, I raise my tall glass of water to you. In a world where the images around us belittle what we should be praising: strong older women, and yes, it gets better and better as you get older. Look at our site, look at the awesome members here. These stars (women and men) who give of themselves to the community their expert advice, they are my inspirations. You guys are awesome!

Nineteen was only two years ago for me, so I don't really have much of a scope. I also had a husband, a newborn, bills, responsibilities and a masters degree to finish.

I can definitely say that 21 is better than nineteen. (And I don't drink so that has nothing to do with it.) Life at 19 is HARD. You have no direction in life, you are coping with that transition from childhood to adulthood, you have no financial resources (and sometimes if you do, you're too irresponsible to do the right thing with them), you are still trying to escape that high school mentality that the most important thing in life is sex.

I see getting older as relaxing compared to that mess. You are comfortable with yourself and your life settles into a routine. Routines aren't bad - they allow you to accomplish things that you would never have been able to living the crazy life of a 19 year old.

In conclusion, you don't have to be 30, or 40 or even 70 to appreciate not being 19 anymore. :laugh:

Here's some even better news: If you keep up with a healthy lifestyle, in many ways 40 is even better!

50: not necessarily bad, but you realize you are past your peak ;-(

Who says? Society? Screw 'em.

Here's a cool site that lists things people at your age (any age) accomplished.

Here's some even better news: If you keep up with a healthy lifestyle, in many ways 40 is even better!

50: not necessarily bad, but you realize you are past your peak ;-(

Who says? Society? Screw 'em.

Here's a cool site that lists things people at your age (any age) accomplished.

By "peak" I was only referred to specific athletic accomplishments. I don't set arbitrary age limits, but I don't think I am ever going to beat the 5K PR I set back when I was 27.