61*

I’ve been a Yankee fan all my life! So 61 holds a special place in my heart. In fact we had a Yankee themed 61* birthday party for our mother because she is so difficult to surprise.  It was a blast.

These days the asterisk is long gone; new records have been achieved. Perhaps those require a different asterisk… but I digress.

I had gained weight in my 40s, worked to lose it, kept it off for years.  One day in my late 50s the weight started to creep back on even though nothing had changed in my eating habits or exercise routine. In the past the scale would go up a few pounds I’d make some minor tweaks and they would disappear.  But, that was no longer the case and over a period of time no matter what I did, I couldn’t drop weight. I just kept gaining.

Last year I had set a goal to get back to my target weight by the time I turned 60 in July. I had put this inane pressure on myself that I  had to do this.

Needless to say,  I did not attain my goal.  I was annoyed and disappointed but not discouraged.

Then I decided that I would be 60 for an entire year so as long as it happened that year….

I found myself looking for anything that would reverse the trend. But as the months went by, the pounds kept coming.

Over and over people shared their obvious wisdom, just eat less calories than you burn. Cut out the carbs.

Gosh,  why didn’t I think of that.

In December I switched Dr’s. I got a complete blood work up. I had an honest conversation about my goals and how I wanted to achieve it.

I made some slight adjustments in my eating, adding more protein AND carbs. I added some vitamins,  I increased my weight training.

I’ve been on a downward trend ever since.

Last week I turned 61. I did not quite achieve my weight loss goal but it is within reach. I did however do a double workout that day,  one at the Max, a new gym I’ve recently joined, followed up by a super intense kickboxing session at my long time happy place CKO. 62 burpees later (1 for good luck) remind me that I am healthy and strong,  way stronger than a fistful of pounds.  The truth is, the number doesn’t bother me as much as the area impacted by all the weight I had gained. The dreaded meno belly.

You can’t target weight loss,  it drops off your body based on genetics and hormones.  As I have lost weight, it has definitely gotten smaller.

My meno belly may never completely go away, but contempt has been replaced with compassion.  Now I’m able to look down and see a slight layer of protection over my otherwise crazy strong ab muscles.

I am 61, no asterisk needed!