It doesn't get any easier!

So I turned 40 this year! No big deal right? Wrong! A very big deal when you are constantly trying to stay fit and stay on track. As our body ages we change and not for the better! More of this, less of that. If you are like me you wonder what's going on! Don't get me wrong I feel better now than I did at 20 and look better too I might add but I often wonder...am I an old lady? I mean really? I joke about it and call myself old all the time! If these were the frontier days I'd already have several grandchildren and one foot in the grave and probably just a few teeth I might add. Nonetheless it's 2012 and the best part about living in this age is that we are educated with how to keep our bodies running like a well oiled machine. But do we follow the advice of doctors and health experts? Sure we like to think that we do but in our lazy society we often want overnight success and a quick fix pill. If I thought something like even existed I would jump on it but it doesn't not for the long haul anyway. I feel a definite difference in trying to maintain my weight these last couple of years which just means I have to adapt. Make the the necessary changes to conform to my body's needs. The best thing you can do is listen to your body, watch and observe and take heed. You know what works for you and you know what doesn't. If not, consult your physician and find the path you need. Last Sunday, September, 16th I ran the Navy 5 Miler for the third year in a row. I thought wow I'm older I'm in a different age category now in the race and I'm as determined as ever to do better than I did the two previous years and I did! I was ecstatic that I ran 5 miles in 54:47! Now what's my goal for next year? Hmmmmm

What's Eating You?

Emotions play a large roll in our eating habits. Sometimes we don't eat because we are down or eat too much. Other times we want to reward ourselves with something we know we shouldn't have and then end up feeling bad afterward. Sometimes we have to stop and ask ourselves if we are really hungry or are we just eating to feel good. I'm sure you've all heard the quote "Eat to live, don't live to eat!" Well I agree with this to a certain extent. Sure we can eat leaves off the trees and drink water and that's enough for us to live but that's not living. We've evolved enough that our food choices especially in this country range the full spectrum from super healthy to "A heart attack on a plate" as I like to call some dishes. Even if your eating habits fall somewhere in the middle over indulgence is usually a serious factor. Portion sizes are generally way too large and if you were like me, as a child you were told to finish the food on your plate...full or not! I can say from experience that it's all an adjustment but not an impossible one. Everything takes practice even eating. Correction eating healthy! Let nothing else guide your food selection choices, emotions shouldn't and hunger certainly shouldn't. If you are eating small meals and snacks throughout the day you should never be hungry to the point that you would select anything other than what you should be eating. If you need to write down meals do it! If you need to view restaurant menus on line before you go, do it! With a little effort that's all it takes you'll feel better and you'll look GREAT!

Your favorite jeans

Your favorite jeans or your favorite dress, skirt, blouse or whatever. We all have something that is our one favorite go to item. You want to keep that one favorite piece of clothing right within reach for when you dress it up or dress it down whatever the case but what happens when it no longer fits? Devastation? Tears? The crazy thing is you would think you would be happy if it's too big but sometimes that's not always the case but then it may be a reminder of what you used to think made you look great until you see how your body is swimming in it and you think to yourself did I really think this was cute? Often we want to ditch it fast and never look back but why not hold on to it? Just as a reminder to keep you focused and to congratulate yourself on just how far you've come! Now here comes the flip side...what if that favorite piece seems to fit more snug with every wear? You think to yourself is my dryer set on high? Did the dry cleaners shrink my clothes? But you've noticed a couple extra pounds on the scale but refuse to accept it! As I've said before the weight loss battle is just as much a mental thing as it is a physical thing. Once you conquer your fears, your denials or maybe even your laziness you can begin to set those goals that you need to reach and go for it! Make a list, write it out! Tell a friend or loved one, someone that can help hold you accountable and go for it.