Well, here I am. Very much past the age of 40 and seeking the road to health and excellence for my body. I don’t feel old, nor do I act old – - absolutely not!! But it was not until I neared 40 that I finally realized that I needed to get my act in gear and GET IN SHAPE!!
All of my life, I was slender, slim, skinny or whatever you want to call it. I ate whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted. I gave absolutely no thought to weight and battling weight problems or nothing of the sort. When I say I was skinny, I was skin-ny! Kids in school used to laugh at me and call me ugly names like baseball legs, skinny-minnie, skeleton, everything. This used to hurt my feelings so bad that I would literally gorge myself with food at different meals and then go lay down on my bed so that the weight would “stick.” That’s what I had been told would work. Most of the people around me complained that this was the way they gained weight – not on purpose of course. That’s what I had overheard from those around me who battled with weight, struggled with food and found it hard to just get those last few pounds off. But although I incorporated these little tips and advice, I still found it hard to “gain weight.” HA!
Of course, after years of developing ignorant eating habits, a poor approach to food and healthy eating and absolutely NO exercising, (remember laying down?) things did start to happen, and they weren’t for the good! Especially after I hit the age of 30 AND started my family, my body started changing rapidly in ways that I would not have fathomed. Weight gain, stretch marks, inexplicable illnesses and symptoms of fatigue along with decreased energy left me with no choice other than to get myself together and get in shape!!
Of course, getting in shape is much more than a thought. It takes a well-disciplined mind, a plan of action and a commitment to see it all the way through. And I know that from experience, once you pass 40, the pounds are more difficult to come off. The once-easy things become a challenge and eating habits are pretty much ingrained. Now I’m not saying this applies to everyone. Absolutely not. Of course there are some individuals who are over 40 and have excellent, healthy bodies and a great self-esteem. I was not that way, unfortunately, which is why I created this blog. This is for those of you who are like me. Perhaps you are approaching 40. Maybe you’re still even in your twenties. Whichever you are, this blog is for YOU. I will share with you what has worked for me, what hasn’t worked, why our 40-year old bodies are different and what you can do to change things BEFORE you become exasperated….whether that’s 40 or not.
Let me be clear; I am NOT a personal trainer, a certified nutritionist, a doctor or a psychologist. I’m just a regular every day Jill (but my name is Bridget), sharing with you ways and advice on finding the road to fitness. This is a journey that will not be met in two weeks or in two years. It’s a daily journey that is going to take one step at a time. It’s a journey that I hope you will take with me as we talk to trainers, nutritionists, find sports drinks, eat healthy, find recipes, motivation and encouragement along the way. And, have a little fun while we do!
So 40 or not…here we come!!
