Six pounds. I did it. I was hoping for five pounds in four weeks, and I got a bonus. That works for me. I am thrilled. I also set my next goal: five more pounds by March 4.
It feels good to set a goal and reach it.
You know, it is funny. I remember, when I was a kid, I would try to imagine what I would be like at various “old” ages- like 45. Getting excited about losing 6 pounds was never one of my scenarios.
I imagined myself with a Betty Crocker hairdo (you know, from her picture one her cake mix boxes). I imagined using a lot of Ben Gay and wearing reading glasses. Boy was I spot on. Funny I did not give much thought to my future diet woes. I don’t think I thought I would never gain weight. I just figured when you are that ancient, who cares how you look. Your life is pretty much over.
Well, now that I am here- or will be in a mere two hours, 45 is not really old. It is the new 25, or 15 or something now, isn’t it? I just talked with a friend about how neither of us feels our age. A guy who overheard us assured me that I do not look my age. If not looking or feeling my age means that I am not what or who I thought I would be at 45, I guess all of the above are true.
I am not trying to recapture lost youth. I am not going to buy a sports car. Actually, I think I have that thing that people try to reassure us we will have as we mature- confidence. There is a certain peace that comes with realizing you are halfway through your life. The trick is realizing that your life is half full- and you get to live this next half with much more knowledge and understanding than you started the first half with.
My Arthritis has been giving me some pain lately. It is sort of interfering with my goal to run a marathon at the end of this month. But, it is not interfering with my goal to be the healthiest I have ever been. I may not have the knees, hips or neck I had 20 years ago, but I have something so much better: desire. I know what I want in so many areas of life that it makes everything feel exciting. I am less willing to accept my own excuses. My life is half full. I have fewer days left, and I guess that is why I know excuses and sitting “this one” or “that one” out is really just wasting opportunities to understand life and all of the things that make being blessed with one so worthwhile.