The List Keeps Growing

Boy, 50 is a big number, but I feel pretty confident about being able to do many of the things that I am rolling out on my list.  These five make the numbers I have shared 15.  Enjoy.

1. My body needs to lose 20 pounds and to have better muscle tone.  I truly believe that I will better be able to handle the health issues that aging throws my way if I eat healthier and exercise more.

2.  Apparently, there is Family Space Camp.  We are so doing that!

3.  Go to the Headlands International Dark Sky Park. I'm a city girl, but I know that all the city lights are not good for us. 

4.  If it was good enough for Edgar Allan Poe, I've got to try it.  Not opium, I'm saving that for my 70th birthday.  I mean absinthe.  I just want a sip.

5.  Learn a card game, any card game.  Currently, not counting solitaire, the only card game in my repertoire is Go Fish.  I can never remember the rules to card games. Perhaps that can be rectified.

Slippage

My job has been keeping me very busy for the last few weeks,and will continue to do so for the next two months.  In general, I get home between seven and eight, after a ten hour day.  This means I am not getting enough exercise or a balanced diet.

Because of that, I've noticed some slippage in the area of mental health.  I am noticing that my thoughts are more circular than they've been in a while.  I am noticing that I'm spending too much time on the couch.  I am noticing that my house is again becoming more cluttered than I would like.

The miracle is that I am noticing all of this and am able to form a plan of action to address my concerns. A year ago, a plan of action was far out of my reach.  I'm not going to say that it will be easy to take action, but it is possible to take steps to heal myself before tumbling to the depths I have previously experienced.

Baby steps. That's all I need to take.  I will only cause myself unnecessary stress if I try to tackle all the issues at once.   A little cleaning here, a little exercise there, and healthy food in the fridge are easy places to start.

Curves and all

I believe that winter's grip on Michigan has finally been broken and spring is finally here to heat things up a bit. I've been able to get out and walk and it's nice to see the world after spending too many days inside, snarling at the snow.

Like so many others, I am looking to shed a few pounds before I pull out my more revealing clothes. As I take my walks, I see all types of body types wearing skimpy clothes and I wonder, "Why don't I feel more comfortable in teeny clothes?" I have seen some big girls in daisy dukes or skirts up to here. I kind of envy that comfort they seem to possess.  I even worry about wearing sleeveless tops because I can't stand how my arm flab shakes. However, this is part of what happens when we age.

It's not that I don't work out, I do.  I get to the gym once or twice a week and I try to exercise at home.  I have seen first hand the end results of a life too sedentary. I don't want that.  I also, like a well-programmed sheep, want to be a little thinner, so I appeal more to the opposite sex.  I'm not sure that I will ever be thin enough to feel secure in a bathing suit. Just the thought fills me with dread.

On the other hand, I saw a woman at the gym today who was in terrific shape.  I usually see her on Saturday and Sunday mornings. This woman has not one ounce of fat on her and her muscles are clearly defined.  The picture of health.  She had no boobs, but could probably kick my ass with one hand tied behind her back. She is clearly disciplined and has the utmost in will-power.  I fail miserably in both categories.  I also don't want to look as angular as she did.  I like my curves, or at least most of them. So, if I like them, and can even honestly say I think I am pretty, why the reticence to show off the curves in warm weather?  Have I truly been so programed by society's take on beauty that I can't let myself go?  I thought I was better than that.