Well, it’s officially here — the big 5-0!  Since the celebration officially began on Saturday morning, I’ve been having a great week.  It’s snowing like crazy outside my window as I start this post, which always fills my heart with great joy — thank you, God!  And the 5:13 am phone call from my son in Japan to wish me a “Happy Birthday” was a fabulous way to start my day!!!  I am truly blessed!

However, I do feel the need to give you an update on my first blog post several weeks ago.  For those of you who remember, it was about turning 50 and not being in the greatest physical condition.  Some friends were encouraging, but others were concerned that I was being a defeatist.  Not true.  So as one famous American was wont to say, “Here’s the rest of the story…”

About a month ago I embarked on a new journey…well several actually, but this one being my road to healthy eating.  I swore off soda — gasp!!  And artificial sweeteners — I thought I’d never survive.  I turned instead to honey as my sweetener of choice and on a rare occasion raw sugar.  Caffeine is limited to one cup of coffee or tea a day — are you sure I can’t have a diet coke???  And otherwise I began a whole new lifestyle of shopping frequently for fresh fruits and vegetables, and healthy protein.

Now, let’s talk about how much work all of this is…  I have always loved to cook, but my years of child-raising relegated me to quick meals and lots of stops for fast food.  I would call this new type of eating “slow food!”  It takes more time than I care to think about to plan, shop for and prepare these healthy meals.  Many days, I have picked up Josh at weight training around 4:30, headed home and prepared dinner while he cooled down and showered, and sat down to eat around 7pm.  Not my idea of fun, especially since I don’t really get to relax until the leftovers are put away and the dishes done — usually around 8.  Did I mention that I am sleeping really well these days?

To say this was difficult is a huge understatement.  To say that it’s been worth it is, indeed, “the rest of the story!”  In a few short weeks I have dropped a pants size and my clothes are fitting so much better.  But the bigger payoff is how I feel!  I’m more alert, more focused, I have more energy and I’m sleeping like the dead!!  Need more convincing?  I haven’t even started the exercise side of this healthy lifestyle yet and I’m already seeing the payoffs!

My weight loss goals will take a while, but I didn’t put the weight on quickly, nor is it healthy to take it off quickly.  I’m aiming instead for a healthier me and that is already in the works.  (For those who know me well, I have even been able to stop taking Wellbutrin for my seasonal disorder as of last week and it’s not Spring yet!!!)  So while I am not the size I would like to be for my 50th birthday, I am feeling better than I have in a very long time!

For those of you fearing deprivation — please know that in the past week I have sampled peanut butter pie, a coconut egg, a Reese’s peanut butter egg and a number of decadent desserts at the Chocolate Spa yesterday!  I am aiming not for perfection, but for “imperfect progress” to quote one of my favorite writers and speakers.   And take my word for it, it works!  Happy birthday to me!!