Forty and finding fabulous

[Ladybug]

I turn forty on January 15th. There's been a noticeable drop on my metabolism. I remember the same thing happening around 30 too. My body is changing...again. It's going to take more than diet adjustments this time around. My youngest child turned four and the entire last decade has been consumed with taking care of them and not of myself. I can exhale as I feel us moving into this next stage of parenting and having a bit more, at least different type, of time for myself. Yay!

I'm ready down on my appearance and it's affecting my life lens. I haven't had a pedicure in over two years. This year I went over 5 months without getting my hair color touched up, and I still had to leave early to pick up my son from half day preschool, so it didn't get cut. My hair has not been trimmed since last April. Moving this summer almost killed me. Yesterday I moved the last two truckloads of boxes from storage to the basements while DH was on call. I still have entire basement to organize, but at least it's all inside the house now.

I can't fit into any of my nice clothes after gaining weight last year. I finally broke down and bought some larger sizes last week for the fall and parent appearances. The clothes are OK, but I'm not happy with my overall look and style. It's blah.

I crunched some numbers and if I lose 1.1 pounds per week I will hit my goal for my fortieth birthday. I used the mynetdiary app and I can have 1410 net calories per day. It will subtract exercise calories burned from my running total. I'm going to preplan my calories and meals otherwise I lose track and go over in the evenings.

I'm going to follow the lean book with 30 small changes over thirty days. It a gradual move towards a more plant based diet. Yesterday I increased my water intake, today I add oatmeal for breakfast. The oatmeal with fruit and nuts really does keep me sated through the morning.

I'm buying a scale today. I'm going for a walk today and noticed a small trail around a pond. The foliage is beautiful and I will post some pictures afterwards. I'm playing golf for the first time ever with DH and my mom this afternoon. The clubhouse food and bar will be a snake pit to navigate.

I'm going to update this thread daily with calories and exercises. I need to make this happen!

I just moved into my dream home in my dream neighborhood. My goal is to have it organized by my birthday and design a sewing/creative/inspiring place for myself in the basement.

I want to start my own photography business before my fortieth birthday too. This goal scares me the most.

[ladymoreta]

Well said, LSW! You can do this, Ladybug, and we're excited to follow you in your adventure!

[Flynn]

I agree 100% with LilySayWhat!

This April I will be 44.....FORTY FOUR??????? Really??? (WTH??)

While I think goals are fantastic, WHY you have those goals are even more important. You want to look and feel good about yourself both internally and externally. You want something for yourself you can have pride in (photography business), you want a home that feels good and functions well. Absolutely! Keep in mind that everyone else thinks you're already amazing so you are doing this for yourself -- and YOU DESERVE THIS.

Your youngest is 4. That's huge. It's going to get easier and easier to fit in a cut and a color from here -- or go to an exercise class. Your oldest is a tiny bit younger than my oldest and babysitting is on the horizon for you too my friend! DD took a babysitting class this summer, loved it, and will watch her brothers now with little to no damage. She turns twelve in a few weeks which I guess in my state is the legal magic number.

My youngest is in kindergarten this year so I celebrated with trying out Kickboxing. Holy SHIT batman!!! Sign me up for some more "socially accepted female aggression" where you get to HIT THINGS! GAME ON.

I LOVE IT. It reminds me that I was a college athlete once upon a time and it's nice to feel invincible for an hour a day. It feels like a competition -- not a way to keep my ever-growing-ass in check! It's also NOT a bunch of surgically altered women who gossip wearing 300 dollar lulu lemon outfits. I have learned that for me I want to remember the woman I was when I was in my 20s and 30s and what really turned me on THEN ....and incorporate those elements in the now 40+ me PLUS adding new people, ideas and activities. It seems to be working. Athletic competition turned me on (enter kickboxing). Reading is crucial for me (started reading again on a regular basis in 2008). Taking care of my appearance (in a way I feel comfortable) pays dividends in how I feel about myself and also in many other areas of my life (I cut and color on a regular basis. I get an occasional facial and pedicure with NO guilt). I am more active in our finances AND I have stayed involved in coaching in a way that feels good and not like it is taking over my life. Coaching excites me. It's good for everyone in my family if I keep it in my life!

I love food. I love wine. I love food and wine. In addition to exercising more on a regular basis I have watched my portions and only eat healthy snacks. I like crunch with yummy stuff on it. Celery and hummus is one of my favorite snacks. Occasionally I have baked pretzel chips with hummus. Yum. Do I look like I did when I was 25? HELL TO THE NO. I am getting to a point with my body (so so so slowly) where the more I exercise, the more I want to exercise. That's a good place for me mentally and physically.

The bottom line is with reasonable goals you deserve to be your BEST you! Keep your eye on the prize -- don't beat yourself up when you eat a brownie -- and enjoy this phase in your life!

On a side note, I have a dear friend that started a photography business a few years ago. Let me know if you want to talk to her. I'm sure she'd be more than willing to chat.

Happy Hugs being sent your way! YOU GO GIRL!!!

[GreyhoundsRUs]

How exciting! What a great set of goals You're gonna rock this next decade!

[Ladybug]

Thanks for all the encouragement

I really do need to lose some weight though. My BMI is 24.5, and 25 is considered medically overweight. It's the speed of weight gain lately that has me concerned. I haven't changed my diet, but my activity is down and my metabolism is clearly slowing down. At this point each five additional pounds increases my blood pressure, risk of diabetes and risk of breast cancer. It's certainly impacting my self image and internal dialogue too. I need some structure to get me through this battle of the buldge. Once it's off then I can eyeball things and relax a bit, but I really want to get it off and I need some new tools to accomplish that.

My walk was galvanizing. I walked over 3 miles and found a hidden woodsy trail I explored. Here's my photos:

9.28.14

I'm going to to do this. It's hard as a medical spouse (insert any busy profession) because if my mom wasn't here I would have been stuck watching the kids with DH on call. After a decade of being the primary parent and having multiple small people with me at all times I've slid into self-neglect. I think it's harder to understand how it *doesn't* happen. I'm going to conquer this though.

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

Just chiming in to say you got this! Your attitude is fantastic and I cannot wait to see you succeed!

[houseelf]

Love this thread! Go Ladybug! We are here to cheer you on.

[MAPPLEBUM]

Speaking to you at the ripe old age of 42 and a half, I promise you that you are only as old as you think you are. Don't fall into the "given up on life" look. Get your hair done. Go to TJ Maxx or Marshalls and get some clothes to dress your size in a flattering way. Understand that you are chasing a number, but the reality is that once you get to that number, it may not look the same as it did last time you were there. And no matter what, get your mind set to realize that you are amazing, strong, smart, funny, and all around a kick-ass woman. Go take a walk, watch your intake, and get your house organized! High five, friend! You've got this.

I'm going to reflect on this the next couple weeks. I've been actively trying to lose weight since February without success. finally decided to make an appointment with a PCP to make sure everything checks out before I buckle down for an even more regimented diet. This is well put. And good luck ladybug!!

[scrub-jay]

Cheering you on!!

[Bittersweet]

You go, girl!

[SoonerTexan]

I love this thread!

And you made my day with pretty pictures of fall foliage

[Ladybug]

Yesterday's golf outing was fun...too much fun. I fell into the bar food, drinks and italian restaurant trap. I calculated my damage this morning, and I went about 1400 calories over yesterday, even after deducting calories for walking 3.5 miles and golfing for an hour. Damn cheese platters! I'm really surprised at how the calories added up. I guess this is the benefit of tracking them. Wowzers. My plan is to do hot yoga today and kickboxing (thanks, Flynn!) tomorrow night and try to cut out 100 calories today and tomorrow to get me back on my weekly track and goal.

The two little kids are ditching school today, and we're taking them apple picking before my mom leaves town. I will definitely skip the hot, apple cider donuts today. *sniff* Just raw apples today.

I need to go grocery shopping this afternoon, and make some menus and healthy snacks. I'm going to try the Tone it Up samplers. They're asking $150 for the 250 page pdf of recipes. That's steep, but it includes other membership benefits too. I'm thinking it's a lot of new clothes or pedicures though!

Pictures make the process more fun and engaging for me. Here's my first day of golf. It was fun, but swinging felt a little awkward. Apparently I hit the ball straight which is a good thing though. I'm going to sign up for a lesson with the pro once my mom is gone. I want to learn good technique before I practice anymore. DH really enjoys golf and it's a fun way for us to hang out. I saw a lot of families playing best ball too. The kids will love it. It's just the initial expense of getting equipment, shoes and clothes for everyone. Eek.

9.28.14.02

[Ladybug]

I'm on day three of The Lean.

Day 1-drink eight 8 oz glasses of water per day. preload with water before meals. stay hydrated and never far from a potty.
Day 2-eat oatmeal for breakfast (stay sated, avoid insulin spikes (and drops), increases fiber)
Day 3-eat an apple each day (skin has pectin, increases fiber, anti-inflammatory properties, eat an apple/pear before each meal…after the glass of water)

Lucky me, it's apple season here! We took the two youngest kids apple picking since it was mom's last day here. I look forward to this every year. I did skip the yummy apple cider donuts, and I had a successful diet day. I went to a 45 minute barre class, almost died, and came in under 400 calories today! I'm feeling less guilty about yesterday now. I even passed on the third glass of wine and had green tea. Yay me!!

After exercising yesterday it was the first time I slept through the night in over a month. Since the move I've spent an hour or two awake each night. It felt sooooooo good. I'm expecting to sleep for at least 20 hours straight after the barre class today.

A couple of pics from today's apple escapades.

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[Ladybug]

Sweet! Definitely! Thanks for the generous offer. I'll pm you my email

[Flynn]

SO SO SO excited for you! LOVE your photographs! You are TALENTED!!!!!

One day at a time. Wine is SUPER yummy so kudos for turning down a glass. I'm in AWE of you!!!