#WEverb11, Day 15: Surprise

For the month of December, I’ll be participating in #WEverb11. Each day gives a new prompt, each of which is a chance to reflect and look forward.

December 15: Surprise

What event of 2011 affected you in an unexpected way? Contributed by Kimberly Michelle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Turning 40 is a milestone that many people dread, but I actually looked forward to it this year.  And I don’t find it surprising to feel that way, but I guess I’m saying that it might be unexpected for other people to read that statement.

It helps that I don’t look like I’m 40.  Not to sound conceited, but it’s just true.  I don’t have any wrinkles (one good thing about chubby cheeks), and my overall attitude and demeanor isn’t like the stereotypical 40-year-old.  I feel and act much younger than that, so I’d say that I’m young at heart.  My parents are both the same way – you’d never in a million years guess that my dad is 71 or that my mom is 64.  Ever.  So the genes are good, and coupling that with a great outlook, I can’t go wrong.

Beyond how I look or feel, I looked forward to this new decade because it meant I was leaving behind the unfulfilled goals of my 30s.  That statement may seem negative, and I don’t mean it to be.  I accomplished quite a few things while in my 30s, especially professionally. But on a personal level, there was much that I had hoped to complete that I left undone.  And my 40s is the time that I am going to succeed in all I set out to do in terms of weight loss and personal intentions.

So as my 6-month mark of being 40 approaches in the early part of 2012, I know that I’m going into this decade armed with the No Excuses attitude that will see me through to make sure that my aspirations are my achievements.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

If you’d like to join in on the daily writing prompts, go to WEverb11, sign up for the email notifications, and join us! Or follow along on Twitter using the #WEverb11 hashtag!

Advertisement

Read Full Post »

HYC Update: Only 2 months to do WHAT?

A few years ago I wrote a Life List of all of the things I wanted to accomplish by the time I was 40. I had over two years to complete the tasks, which felt like all the time in the world. Then last summer, in July 2010, I updated the Life List, editing a few things that were no longer important and adding a few others that had become more of a priority.

Updated July 3, 2010

Things to do before I turn 40:
1. Lose 100 lbs.
2. After weight loss, go on a shopping spree at Anthropologie and Ann Taylor Loft, knowing the clothes will look great!
3. Sky dive.
4. Own a convertible (Bettie the Blue Beetle).
5. Find balance in my life. I’m so bad with the work/personal life balance (After grad school I changed my attitude towards being a workaholic, and my life is soooooo much better now).
6. Try yoga (Bikram, baby).
7. Get a Brazilian bikini wax.
8. Go to the beach in a bathing suit and feel proud of how I look.
9. Go to NYC.
10. Go to Boston/Connecticut (CTLB’s wedding in August ’08).
11. Run a 5K. (Maybe even a 10K).
12. Meet someone who makes me happy (and someone who I’d date at my goal weight).
13. Go on a vacation by myself to somewhere I’ve never been.
14. Get some of my writing published.
15. Adopt a dog (Lulu!)

Given the fact that I have 2 months until my 40th birthday, I’m going to need to revise this list in a big way. Here goes:

1. Reach my mini weight loss goal and qualify for Lap Band surgery.
2. Be open to new people and experiences each and every day.
   
3. Begin C25K in mid June.
4. Continue to blog about my life and my weight loss journey, expanding my readership whenever possible.
   
5. Adopt a new puppy, Sofi.
   

I know it’s hardly a “life list,” but I will accomplish all of these things by July 2nd. And instead of trying to put a ton of pressure on myself to rush things, I’m going to start thinking about the things I want to do during my 40th year. I want to prove that 40 is fabulous and that it will be my best year yet.

And I’m not saying that I won’t accomplish those other things on the list, but I don’t think I want to put a time limit on them. That’s why it’s called a Life List, after all.

Read Full Post »