Removed my last quote. After reading it I realized how gloomy it was. Wow! I'm new to the site and as of today I'm going to give it my all! 220 and counting down! 10/15/07
But I didn't. I started a walking program and joined calorie-count and I have lost all the weight, and a few lbs more. I am in better shape now than I have been in a long while.
So NO it's not inevitable. It is true that the weight comes off a bit slower. It is true that we need to incorporate EXERCISE and not just diet, to rebuild muscle. It is true that changing hormones can affect our progress. It is true that we may have a lifetime of bad habits to unlearn. It is true we may be taking meds or have developed diseases that make our progress a little harder than the younger ones. It is true there's no quick fixes - it's not like when you were younger and maybe you could get away with something silly like an all-grapefruit diet. :-)
But inevitable? Nope. You don't need to roll over and give up. You can start right now, today, and in a year be healthier than you are right now. You are ONLY 39!! You have half a life - OR MORE - to still live. It's up to you how you want to live it.
For those of us over 40, I think it becomes less a matter of fitting in our skinny jeans or having a flat tummy ... and more a matter of overall health, and wanting to remain active into our old age. My tummy is never going to be perfectly flat (not after having two kids). No bikini for me in my future. But I am definetly much more energetic and feel better than ever. I do have some health issues, but I like to think that I'm doing everything I can to minimize them.
P.s. When I was 39, I was terrified of turning 40, but I can assure you it isn't that bad. The forties are turning out to be a lot better than my 30s and my 20s...
WELCOME! :-)
Kimberlypaige, missed you gloom and doom post but I can imagine. Don't worry, we have all been there and have come out of it, just as you will. Don't beat yourself up. I think one of the worst things we all seem to do to ourselves is to beat ourselves up over ...you name it! Remember, you are already a good person, you are ALREADY GOOD ENOUGH!
It might sound funny because we are all trying to lose weight (or maintain it). But I believe acceptance of ourselves is so important. Meaning that weight (or age) does not define us. Who you are as a person is much more important!
P.S. 40 is a snap. Don't worry about it!
I also missed your Doom and Gloom posting but I to am turning 40 soon in fact in March. Forty doesn't seem to bother me as much as 29 did. Yes, 29 I don't know why but I freaked when I was turning 29 and not at 30.
We are all human and there are endless start overs. I have had 3 deaths and a near Death happen to friends or relatives of friends in just over a week (started Thanksgiving day) (oh that is Canada's Thanksgiving Oct 8) so when my boss offered me a cinnamon bun this morning I said yes. Then I have tried to stay true to healthy eating the rest of the day. I have a couple of Long term Diseases that effect me weight loss this is why I to struggle but I hope I have enough will power that when I hit 40 my brian doesn't say hey you need to gain weight because that is what happens. I am hoping that in the next 5 months I can lose and then keep losing into my fourties. Have 2 dogs and a 5 year helps.
Your right morgiana, there are endless start overs. I'm in the process of one right now....and I'm not just talking weight.
I was sorry to read about the recent deaths for your friends or relatives. That is a lot the bear. Surprised you didn't yank the whole box of cinnamon buns out of bosses hands.
I see that you shaved your head for a cancer walk. I hope you or a family member are not suffering from cancer. My Mother had breast cancer but has recovered now....Thank God. It was very supportive of you to shave your head. Thats usually a tough thing for women. You must be a very kind, caring person.
Sorry, didn't mean to get this thread off track or go on a rant...your post just hit a cord.
I have had life start overs as well I have been divorced and remarried I have restarted a family daughter is almos 16 and my Son is almost 5. I am hoping that 40 bring positive changes.
LOL about the Cinnamon Buns.
Healthforlife Yes, I did shave my head for a Breast Cancer cause, I did a 60KM walk in Aug for Breast Cancer and I have had a few friends and relatives effected by Breast Cancer and other Cancers. I am doing it again 2008 and I will shave my head again (Don't think I looked to bad)
I'm 42.
As soon as the clock struck midnight on the night of my 40th birthday, my metabolism came to a screeching halt, flinging me forward into a bag of potato chips and dip and it took me nearly 2 YEARS to emerge from that high-fat landing place! So, what did I accomplish in the 2 years which passed since I hit 40? (And isn't "hit 40" a great term? I really would like to smack it with a bat, somedays!) I gained 40 pounds in two years .... an impressive 20 pounds per year.
But in August of this year, I had an epiphany. (You know, the clouds part, the sun shines forth, choirs of angels sing.... that sort of thing) And I realized that I'd better get my rear in gear and potato chips the heck outta my house and my life... and I joined this wonderful website!
And I've lost those 40 pounds I gained since I turned 40! Woo hoo! And I'm still going, because there's another 80 (oh my gosh!) pounds whose days are numbered around Molly-ville. I am fat. I am feisty. And (before August) I last exercised during the REAGAN ADMINISTRATION! But I started ... and it's working .... and you can do it, too.
Just take things one meal at a time, one day at a time, one pound at a time. And when you feel like smiling (or ranting), come check out Molly's Diet Rants over in the motivation forum .... we ESPECIALLY like welcoming newbies!!!
=^..^= MOLLY
Want to be a leader?Start your own group!
