39. And holding.
Yes, today's my birthday. Woohoo.
Actually, it's okay. I've never been one to feel dread or regret or get depressed about upcoming birthdays. And, even as I've been inching my way closer to 40, I still feel totally fine about getting older. However, I do feel that it's time for a change. A good, healthy, change geared toward increasing my chances at living the longest possible life and toward decreasing my weight and cholesterol. So here's my goal:
40 by 40
I plan to lose 40 lbs and permanently change my eating and exercising habits by the time I'm 40. I recently came across this photo of myself from 9 years ago. I had just lost about 30 lbs in about 4 months by eliminating the bread, pasta, potatoes and rice from my diet, and exercising at least four days a week. I weighed about 155 in this photo which put me in a size 8 jeans and a medium shirt. I looked great and I felt great. (Of course, this was before marriage, infertility and the three kids whose metabolisms work off Oreos and pancakes much better than mine does.)
I'm currently 204 lbs (yes, she really did tell the entire internet how much she weighs) and I don't look great or feel great. So my goal is to be 164 lbs or lower by this time next year. With the help of my YMCA membership and a good diet program to jump-start my journey, I can do this. For myself, my kids, my man.
And for my birthday I also did a little scrapping:
So tonight my folks are coming down to watch the kids while my hubby takes me out for a nice, relaxed evening out, and then tomorrow it's friends and festivities in our backyard for mojitos and my hubby's amazing pork back ribs. I'll be strapping on the feedbag one last time before my program starts on Monday.
And a huge thanks to all who commented on my previous post about Aidan. You all are awesome and I can't tell you how much your support and encouragement has meant to us. You ROCK!
Have a great weekend, everyone!
Happy birthday. While you want to make changes to your exterior, please know that your interior is wonderful. You're a talented, giving, funny person that has a wonderful family. Good luck with the lifestyle changes.
Posted by: TLuu | April 18, 2008 at 03:27 PM
Happy Birthday!
I think it's a great goal! I can't wait to get inspired by your progress!
Posted by: kate | April 18, 2008 at 03:32 PM
EEK! I don't know if that last comment came through with my daughters name. Sorry.
I wanted to say Happy Birthday and I'm so inspired by your goal.
Posted by: AllisonK | April 18, 2008 at 03:35 PM
Happy birthday!!
~T.
Posted by: bcre8uv | April 18, 2008 at 08:30 PM
Happy Birthday!!!
Posted by: ElizabethK. | April 18, 2008 at 08:44 PM
Happy Birthday Tina! Hope you had a great day!
Posted by: Erin Sweeney | April 18, 2008 at 09:01 PM
Happy Happy Birthday, Tina! I hope you enjoy your special celebration. Best wishes for another GREAT year and new life plans!
Posted by: Susie | April 18, 2008 at 09:33 PM
You can do it! I too reached "that unhappy point" with my weight and in January I joined Weight Watchers. I've lost 21 pounds now :) If I can do it, you CERTAINLY can!
Happy Birthday!
Posted by: Julie Hickey | April 18, 2008 at 09:55 PM
Happy birthday!
I wish you the best for your diet!
Sure you can do it!
Posted by: Séverine | April 19, 2008 at 01:01 AM
happy birthday tina! i totally agree with tluu comment above- you are a beautiful person inside + out from what i read on your blog. good luck with your goal!
Posted by: kribss | April 19, 2008 at 04:33 AM
Well, Happy Birthday! I'm also an April baby (and expecting one anytime!) You are beautiful as you are but I also wish you the best as you improve your health!
Posted by: Clair | April 19, 2008 at 05:46 AM
happy birthday, tina!
wish you the very best and luck on acheiving your goal for 40.
Posted by: moon ko | April 19, 2008 at 08:23 AM
Happy Bday amazing girl! I love reading your posts. Best of wishes to you this year. I'm sure you'll reach your goal!
Posted by: Candice | April 19, 2008 at 11:44 AM
Best of luck Tina, and big hugs as you figure out a solution with Aiden also. Happy birthday friend, here's to reaching goals and a fantastic year! :)
Posted by: AFerguson | April 19, 2008 at 04:05 PM
Hi Tina,
I will like to recomend two books to you. Eat To Live: The revolutionary formula for fast and sustained weight loss. and Disease-Proof your Child. By Dr. Fuhrman. You can also check out his web site. There is a lot of information in there. WWW.drfuhrman.com. Best of luck to you and to your son.
Posted by: yanina | April 19, 2008 at 04:45 PM
happy happy birthday my friend! No wonder we get along super well...I turned 39 on the 13th!
Posted by: stephanie | April 19, 2008 at 05:02 PM
happy birthday to you. i love it when you use the color blue in your layouts!
Posted by: stephanie | April 19, 2008 at 09:05 PM
Happy Birthday (a day late). Good luck with the revamping plan!
Love the layout. My 3 year old son was play with a pink barbie jeep just yesterday. Love that boys can feel so comfortable in their own skin!
Posted by: jill | April 20, 2008 at 05:09 AM
happy happy happy birthday, tina! i hope you had a wonderful bday weekend! :)
and good luck on your goal! i have about the same amount i'd like to lose and it was turning 29 that made me realize i wanted/needed to be healthier before i turned 30. i joined WW 2 1/2 weeks ago and i'm already down almost 7 pounds. you can do it! :)
Posted by: Kelly Noel | April 20, 2008 at 05:10 PM
Happy birthday, Tina! And best of luck to you on your weight loss...it's such a hard thing to do but so well worth it!
Posted by: Erica | April 21, 2008 at 01:03 PM
Happy Belated Birthday! :)
Posted by: Jasmine* | April 22, 2008 at 06:57 AM
Happy Belated Birthday! :)
Posted by: Jasmine* | April 22, 2008 at 06:57 AM
happy birthday! (i'm late!) what a great goal tina! i'll be cheering you on!
Posted by: Celeste | April 22, 2008 at 08:55 AM
Oh Happy Belated Birthday, sweets!!! Forgive me as I'm sooooo late. Hope you had a WONDERFUL day! Best of luck to you in achieving your goal... you can totally do this girl, I just know it!!!
xoxo, C
Posted by: Christy | April 22, 2008 at 07:12 PM
Happy Birthday and good luck with your latest effort.
Hope your making progress with Aiden too.
By the way, that's a great picture of you. Hope you have a great week!
Posted by: Lisa | April 23, 2008 at 06:47 AM