QOTW...Question of the Week that is.....

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Registered: 03-19-2003
QOTW...Question of the Week that is.....
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Sun, 05-16-2004 - 5:47pm

Did any of you have a lightbulb moment on health and fitness when you turned 40 or in some cases 50? Maybe you got insight into your self esteem issues and did something about it. Please share your thoughts.


Grace

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fitness4health@yahoo.com

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Sun, 05-16-2004 - 6:01pm

I may be the only one here that is in her 50s, but I know I have had those lightbulb moments and having another one now that I am quickly approaching 55 next month.


I have looked around and saw that I am not in such bad shape after all (considering my age). Oh sure, I can lose a few lbs and still hope too, but for healthy reasons more than anything else. I would love to have thinner thighs and a smaller firmer tummy, but it doesn't look like it is going to happen in this lifetime. I would also love to be a couple of inches taller and that isn't going to happen either. And you know....I think I am really ok with it.


I don't want to "deprive" myself anymore and I don't want to exercise myself into the ground. I want to exercise smarter not harder...more efficient workouts. If it is ok to be fit with 1/2 hour cardio workouts with

cl-grace_50 

fitness4health@yahoo.com

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Registered: 04-08-2004
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 8:14am

Grace:


What a powerful and uplifting post!

Lori

"Remember, I'm pullin' for ya.  We're all in this together." --Red Green

cl for Ask the

Avatar for imthebigsister
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 9:21am
I got clubbed over the head just as I turned 40. Blood pressure and cholesterol issues began then, along with panic attacks about work and life in general (nothing in particular other than work). And I told my boss that something at work had to change or I'd be leaving, point blank.

I got really serious about getting moving and fixing my eating habits - notice I didn't say diet? - a few year later rather than sooner. I should have gotten off the stick sooner, but here I am and I feel great.

As for work, my then-boss at the old job must have valued me as an employee because things did change, for the better. Then the company started going downhill, but that's another story. I felt like a rat leaving a sinking ship when I gave my notice, but I don't think my position there would have lasted much longer after I left.

Self-esteem issues? Those were certainly a part of my thoughts as I turned 40, but I truly don't remember focusing on any particular thing. Just that I felt and looked much older than 40, and hated it. Whatever they were beyond that, they're mostly gone. Looking back, I think just turning 40 had a bigger impact on me than I was willing to acknowledge back then. But I got through it and I'm facing a new milestone this year with a much better attitude in general, not to mention feeling 200% better physically.

I don't know that that provides insight, but a decade later I'm a whole lot happier with myself. I wish it had come sooner, but that has nothing to do with me - I believe it's part of God's plan for me to appreciate who I am, what I've got, how I got here, and what's to be.

Donna

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Registered: 11-11-2001
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 11:25am
Interesting question Grace. I don't know about real lightbulb moments, but I've never thought so much about my health and fitness as I do now. Dh and I went to the gym and workout regularly before I got pg with Adam. We'd go a minimum of twice a week and really looked forward to it. We also did alot of extra cirricular things that were physically active too! Diet was another story. I've never been a huge "junk food" person, but it doesn't mean I always made the best choices either. I don't have a sweet tooth so that's never really been an issue, but I ate far too much saturated and trans fats and wasn't even conscious of it.

I guess the closest I've come to a lightbulb moment came when my cholestrol results were borderline high two years ago. I realized that I couldn't just coast along and *expect* to remain healthy for the rest of my life! I'm really quite amazed at how easily I've been able to change my WOE without much hardship at all! I'm still working on the exercise part, but I'm finding that the longer I stay on the eating healthy road, the more energized I'm becoming.

Shar

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Registered: 03-19-2003
Mon, 05-17-2004 - 6:12pm

Bumping this up to get more feedback from you wonderful women. Can't wait to hear your lightbulb moment even if it was

cl-grace_50 

fitness4health@yahoo.com

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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 6:20am
You know, I'm sure I've had some major epiphanies about it, but at the moment I've forgotten them all. I'll have to give it more thought. All I can think of is that after 50 it got a LOT harder and the ol' bod did cruel things.

Rhonda


Time invested in improving ourselves cuts down on time disapproving of others.

       ~~Rhonda~~


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Registered: 05-14-2004
Tue, 05-18-2004 - 6:21pm
Wonderful insights, Donna:

I'll be turning 42 in a couple of weeks and it sickens me how all of the diet fads, pills, etc. are developed to make us all feel as though we're not acceptable in the world's eyes and for some schmuck somewhere to make a million dollars. I've bought into it for the last five years. Finally - a REALITY CHECK. I've got a long way to go, but I now know it's more about eating the right food. In fact, most of it is about avoiding the wrong foods. Diets I've tried (and I've tried them all) never worked and ultimately left me feeling like a failure.

I'm fortunate in that I've inherited my dad's genes which make me look about 10 years younger than I am...even being in such poor health as I am right now. And my body responds well to exercise (at least it used to!). I'm so looking forward to learning more about which foods to eat and those to avoid and to begin an exercise program including walking and lifting weights. I'm excited to see what's going to happen - mostly how I'll feel inside not having restrictions, or eating the same things over and over and over on some ridiculous program. I found a great book at the health food store -"Women's Health Companion" by Susan M. Lark, MD. A nutrition guide and cookbook in one targeted to women. It lists foods that can help with a lot of different issues women face, i.e. PMS, Endometriosis, Anemia, Menopause, Osteoporosis, etc. I've just started reading - already have highlighted tons of great info.

I'm rambling - it's fun to have a few kindred souls to share my thoughts with. I've focused so long on my kids that I don't have many friends at this point in my life.

Peach