40-something...

Long ago I signed up for, or "subscribed" to, daily emails from a women's website called iVillage...a site I like and think provides good info on lots of "women stuff", ranging from food ideas, health info, funny stuff, newsy stuff, shopping tips (THAT one can be dangerous!). It's a cool site. Today there was a health focus discussing those age old resolutions everyone makes this time of year, and what issues you should be addressing related to age, stress, fatigue and such. I clicked into the "age" category, and then you could click further into the particular decade you're in right now...which put me in the "40's".

I just love it when they offer you a quiz to take...they want to find out how much of a loser you are when it comes to certain issues, or if you're doing all the right things--at which time I think a gold star should flash on your monitor! ;) Anyway, i decided to ignore the work on my desk for a few minutes and quiz away. What did I find out? Well, actually some good info on vitamin supplements that help out at this age--like taking B12 to improve your mental dexterity (who can't use more of that these days??!!--what was your name again?). And taking folate to prevent heart disease, calcium and vitamin D to promote bone health, and vitamins C & E, which are antioxidants to help defend against breast cancer, cataracts & heart disease. See!! I learned a lot! And realized that I could be doing a lot more to help myself out in these "40's" years. And then the big one...the one we all groan about. It asked, "are you doing at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise daily?" I wanted to lie and say yes...but who was I fooling? Myself? Yeah, so I clicked on the no button. At which time it went on to tell me that I needed to get my ass moving or I would weigh 300 pounds by the time I turn 50 and i'd die of heart disease or something else equally horrible!! No, no...it really didn't tell me that. But in my heart of hearts I know that I truly need to get my ass moving if I am serious about improving my stagnant state of health. And considering the fact that three out of the six people in my immediate family (my father, mother & one of my brothers) all have had heart disease, and my mother died from it...yeah, i need to get busy.

I EVEN HAVE A MEMBERSHIP TO A LARGE FITNESS CLUB, FOR CRYIN' OUT LOUD!! And when I move closer to it in March, I WILL start going there at least three times a week. Until then, I can work out at home, lift weights, and do a whole hell of a lot more than i'm doing right now. So, in my "life reincarnated" state i'm living in now, exercise will be a large part of me. No more procrastination, no more excuses. Choose the time, make the time, get it done. And my skinny but totally lacking in tone body will be the better for it! Hey, maybe my boobs might actually tone up too...wouldn't that be special?!?

A toast to life reincarnated with exercise in the top half of the list! My muscles are smiling already! :)

Keep on breathin', y'all!

Mary