But 5 years ago? I was 23. And 28 doesn't look like 23.
Still, I needed to kick it into high gear. So I started paying attention to portion sizes, and what was going into my body. That was all well and good, and got me down to within 10 lbs of my pre-baby weight. And then the weight loss stopped. Completely. I need to add more (okay, ANY exercise to me plan. So in May, I started running.
Let's just pause and appreciate that because I. hate. to. run.
But you know what? It worked. I've been following the Couch 2 5K program. It took me all summer to reach the halfway point, but I'm down another 11 lbs and still going strong, which is pretty freakin' awesome. (sidenote: I have no plans to actually run a 5K because I don't have any desire to run with other people/strangers. My goal is to have the ability to do it, not to actually run one.) I look AND feel better.
Which has brought me full-circle to "What does 28 look like for me?" And I think I'm finally getting some answers-
- It looks like a particular attainable pant size, but most definitely not a size 6.
- It looks like funky, fitted (but not tight!) t-shirts, comfy jeans, and flats, preferably with sequins or sparkle.
- It looks like controlled portions, but the occassional splurge for cheesecake.
- It looks like a regular exercise routine, but with a jogging stroller and not a fancy gym.
- It looks like a job that pays nothing in cash, but in lots of hugs and kisses.
- It looks like playdates, and tumbling classes, but with time for girlfriends and margaritas.
- It looks like less expensive dinner dates out, but movie night dates on the couch with popcorn (and sometimes a margarita...did I mention I like those?)
Funny, but when I think about it, I like the 28-year-old version MUCH better than the 23.
Like fine wine, right?
3 comments:
Great portrait of 28! I have many similarities at 29 - except the running. I have thought about trying that off the couch to 5k thing. Maybe this spring after baby #2...
Maria,
Good for you! I appreciate your moderate and reasonable approach - seeking health, no fads, allowing for splurges, finding something attainable (not just what the media would tell us is "beautiful" or "healthy." I have periodically tried to teach myself to run, with little success. I honestly think my body just wasn't made for running. But I did C25K for awhile and found these podcasts helpful: http://www.ullreys.com/robert/Podcasts/podcasts/podcasts.html. It's just a music track of workout-y music with a narration that tells you the intervals for C25K - one for each week of the program.
Again, congrats to you. This is a great motivator for me to get back on track with exercising! If you can do it, I can too, right?
Betsy, those podcasts were a MUST when I started. It's very nice to have the narration built in, so that you don't have to worry about checking a watch while training your body for longer runs. Now that I'm up to 25 minute runs, I've created my own playlist, but I still use the podcasts at the beginning of each week to "step up" the workout.
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