Fit at Forty

For years I’ve been too busy too look after myself. I remember when my youngest two were little, I got more than enough exercise, pushing a double pram up and down hills to school. But I didn’t eat well or have time to think about my appearance. I was too busy getting through each day, getting everything done. I’d turn up at school, dressed in god-knows-what, no makeup, hair not done.

Back then, I always said when I had time to look after myself better, I would. Then I became a carer. My carer support worker kept impressing upon me the importance of carers looking after themselves. I tried in those early carer days to go for walks, leaving the kids with my partner. He was in the early stages of his illness, so had not yet had a lot of treatment under his belt. He became pretty anxious when I left, so eventually I had to stop the walks. I set up a little exercise station in the shop that was attached to the last place we lived at. That worked for a short while, until the area became turned into a ‘junk’ room, and of course, later had  a fire in it. Walking suits me a lot better, and having a station outside of the house was too much of an excuse for me to be slack, I think.

I have lost a lot of weight recently without trying, due to being sick. Now that I’ve been taking my supplements for a few weeks, I’m feeling so much better. I still get tired, I still get some minor aches and pains, but it’s manageable. So, I’ve been taking some relaxed walks with my dogs whenever I remember to.

I think it’s time to step things up. Amazingly, after being sick, I only have 4kgs to lose. That’s pretty shocking. I’m not so much concerned about my weight, as feeding my body healthy foods like I used to. Enjoying exercise like I used to. I have always imagined that I’d hit forty and be fit. My kids would be old enough for me to have that time to do it, and they are. My partner has progressed well enough that me going out for an hour-long walk is no problem at all.

I want to lower my cholesterol levels, because my doctor  told me that was something that’s too high. Apparently, that runs in my mum’s side of the family. Of course, the new year has motivated some of this. I realised that I have nine months until I’m forty to get myself fit and healthy, then stay that way. So that’s my commitment for this year.

Now, when people comment at this blog, it’s standard practise for me to go check out theirs as well. I like to get to know you. Anyway, so Jane left a comment here yesterday, and I was reminded that the great site, My Fitness Pal exists. I decided it was time to sign up, and try to track my progess for the year. I really enjoyed having something similar when I was doing Weight Watchers online, but this is better, as it’s free.

I have committed to 60 minutes of brisk walking every day for the month of January. I’ve already got my walk in today, with my two dogs, Daisy and Daffy. I take them separately, because they’re idiots.

She’s saying, ‘thank you, Mum!’

There were also ducks, as usual. Big, fat ones.

It feels like the time is right. Time to get well. If you have a My Fitness Pal account, you’re more than welcome to share your page link in the comments. I’d love it if you could join me. You can click on my ticker below to view my profile if interested.

Do you have any goals set for the new year yet? What are they?