where's 40...???

Posted on October 20, 2014

Apprehension about my 40th birthday turned into a superb year. By March 2013 I was a lean 159# which on my frame, carries very nicely.

Great friends, career improvement, and a satisfaction of where I was overall in life turned my body into a fit, energetic mom/wife/woman again. 40 wasn't something to fear; embrace that mother and run with it!

But then I gave up teaching 2 of my 4 Bodypump classes a week. And had weekly date nights with my husband for dinner and movie with buttered popcorn (being with him was great, just not the popcorn). And drank a little more wine. Then stopped doing cardio regularly. Reasoned more often than not that "just this one time" was ok, that "I'll do better tomorrow" was really going to happen.

And "all of a sudden", October 2014, I'm 34 pounds heavier.

2 pairs of jeans fit, barely..no that's a lie. I bought bigger jeans.
none of my dress clothes fit...bye bye Ann Taylor.
crossing my legs and tying my shoes isn't as easy
I've outgrown my panties! WTF

Here I am, missing my post-workout energy and enthusiasm for life that I've Always had. I've become my average personal training client from back in the day...early 40 yo with 2 kids, a bum knee and "naked in the mirror" shame.

But, and this really is my big but, I'm typing this blog to right my mind. To affirm that I'm in control and can choose to move more, to ditch the meal extras and get back to the business of managing my health.

Why? Because it feels better at 160 than 193. It just flat out feels better.

If you can relate to this, high fives all around. Let's do this thing!

Comment Now!

c4ward

03/16/2015 2:26PM

You look much younger than 40! Great job!

Tracy H. likes this comment.

mattandrewsmom

03/14/2015 4:31PM

Great blog! I lost 35 lbs for my 40th birthday, felt amazing, and now I am here at 47 years old trying to lose those same 35 lbs again! 20 down, 15 (or more) to go!!

Tracy H. likes this comment.

Supersabs

omg...i wish you all my luck! I'm now at 36 years, and want to be in shape with 40...i've lost appx.30 pound, and 20 i will lost in the next year...I hope for me that i can reach my goal and rest then at the weight....Because i know that stay at a level is harder for me than made a diet...

Tracy W.

03/04/2015 3:18PM

The "outgrown my panties" really made me laugh b/c I too noticed my panties were tight. I'm focusing on eating more raw, healthy food and drinking more water. So far, so good. Good luck to you!

Tracy H. likes this comment.

GracieT

12/10/2014 8:00PM

I'm 5'7" and working my way back to a healthy 155! You got this!

J C. and La Tana L. like this comment.

Staci W.

11/06/2014 9:42AM

???? Seriously, it sounds like we have the exact story but I'm 10 years older! If you're about 5'7", we even have the same build, probably -- 155 is my ultimate goal, but I felt great at 160 and was perfectly happy with how I looked in all my clothes!

Good luck -- we will do this!

Tracy H. likes this comment.

Tracy H.

Thanks for the comment Staci - glad you could relate to this. We've got 7 days left of this challenge...let's put the peddle to the metal and win it!!

Chelly

10/30/2014 8:36AM

High-fives and on I'm exactly there with you!

Stef P.

10/21/2014 3:23AM

I can totally relate Tracey. I've always been skinny & fit but now I don't even recognise myself in the mirror! Every point you wrote I thought "omg that sounds like me!". All I can say is good luck on your Dietbet & I hope it is the beginning of seeing the Tracey you remember :) & you're right being smaller/fitter/thinner just feels better...at least then I can cross my legs & tie my shoes properly again!!

Chelly and Tracy H. like this comment.