Tuesday, June 2, 2009

...They Say It's Your Birthday!

Yeppers, today is my birthday - I am now 46 years old...and if this is what 46 feels like, then I'll take it. Because I feel pretty damn good, actually! I cannot believe the energy that I have. Not that I always use it - believe me, I still like to park myself on the couch with a good book, but more and more I am actually getting out for a bike ride...even if I've worked out earlier in the day! I know, what is the world coming to?!?

On Sunday night we went out to Carinos for an early birthday dinner because the boys were still home. I behaved myself with sensible portions of the Rosemary Lemon Chicken, pasta (1/2 cup) and Italian green beans, and then I finally broke my "no baked goods" policy and had their Italian Chocolate Cake - oh my, it was so good! But you know what? I really didn't want much of it - I knew that after not eating that type of food for so long that it would affect me (and it did - I felt kind of nauseous on Monday morning while working out). But the good news is that after we came home from dinner, Jeff and I went on a bike ride around our neighborhood, and although he was ready to stop after just two miles (I have an odometer on my bike, so I can keep track of how far we go), I wanted to keep going, so we did - for a total of 4.5 miles. And it was easy! I couldn't have done this a year ago - a few laps around my street just about did me in.

This ability to DO is still kind of shocking to me. I had so many years where I was worn out - it's hard to want to be physically active when you are overweight. But today, even though I've not lost all the weight I need to, I have lost enough to enjoy moving again. What's weird, is that I do enjoy it...I always thought that I was sedentary because I just wasn't into the outdoors and sports and stuff. Turns out I *may* have been wrong. So now I'm wondering what this, my year of being 46 will bring. Can't wait to find out!

30 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, Shelley! I hope this year brings you more great discoveries for you! You are an inspiration!

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  2. Happy Birthday! I hope I'm looking as good at 46! Have a wonderful day.

    Kelly

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  3. Happy Birthday!!!!!

    Yay for you for bike rides even AFTER exercising...that cracks me up since bike rides are exercise too!

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  4. Happy Birthday Shelley! It's always great to realize how much more you can do now- keep up the great work and remember this feeling on the hard days! :)

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  5. Wow-Happy Birthday to you!!! Thank you for all your encouragement! I sincerely appreciate it, you have become my first blog friend!

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  6. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

    May this 46th year bring you all the joy and love that you so richly deserve!!

    Know what you mean by wanting to be active. I can't ride a bike in my area and have no one to walk with so I'm just enjoying my yard work. And looking forward to it, "who'd a thunk it."

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  7. Happy Birthday!!!!!!! I am really happy for you and your birthday energy.

    You're not getting older, you are TRULY getting better!

    (I'm turning 5-0 in a few months and feel exactly the same way)

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  8. Happy Happy Day to you! And I feel like you do, even though I am only a third of the way through my weight loss journey- more energy, I hop out of bed earlier in the mornings, and I am not sleepy by 7PM like before. I love life SO SO SO much more these last few years in my 40's. I really like the person that I am now, wouldn't go back to my 20's or 30's for anything!

    Yay for you Shelley! You are living a wonderful, balanced life!

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  9. Happy birthday Shelley!! I'm so happy you feel so good and you should! You've made some amazing changes and you should be so proud! Have a great birthday and thanks for being an inspiration as always!

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  10. Happy Birthday!

    It is great feeling so well after being overweight - I really appreciate my health now.

    Enjoy your day.

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  11. Happy Birthday! You are doing so great.

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  12. Happy Birthday to you. happy Birthday to you. happy Birthday dear Shelleyyyyyyy....Happy Birthday to yoooouuuuu. *me singing*

    Hope it's a great one. Good for you being all healthy and stuff at Carino's. Now that's will power!

    Love that you have so much energy and feeling great! Have a great bday. :)

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  13. Happy Birthday Shelley!
    What a gift you've given yourself. The empowerment to reclaim your health and live a long great life with family and friends.

    Wishing you the happiest of birthdays today!

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  14. Happy Birthday Shelley!

    Way to go on your non scale victories, 4.5 miles of non-exercise LOL that's impressive!

    You are on your way to a better, healthier active life! May this year be the best year of your life yet!

    Sassle

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  15. Happy Birthday!!! Thanks so much for your comment on my blog. I can't speak for others but my reason for not getting a treadmill right away is posted on my blog today. I had planned the blog before I'd even read your comment LOL You're right though. It would make more sense to get exercise equipment as early rewards when it comes to losing weight. It can only help more.

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  16. A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you!!!

    Love that enjoy bike riding as just part of your daily routine!

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  17. Wow, when you have made as many positive changes in your life as you have, you should get to go back a few years! Come to think of it, you have, haven't you? Happy Birthday Shelley!!

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  18. Happy birthday and i hope you have a great day!!

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  19. YAY for birthdays! Hope you have a great day!!!

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  20. Happy birthday and glad to hear that you are moving more than ever. It feels great doesn't it?

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  21. dangnubbit its wednesday.

    HAPPY ONE DAY LATE!!!!!!!

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  22. I could have sworn I said Happy Birthday yesterday.

    Blogger is freaking out lately. I hope we all don't end up with a computer virus.

    Hope it was a great day.

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  23. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, and best wishes for a wonderful 46th year!

    Congratulations on the portion-controlled birthday dinner . . . mine was a couple of weeks ago, but I didn't do as well (Brazilian steakhouse = big no no).

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  24. Happy Birthday! (yesterday)

    Isn't it amazing to order something and just take a few bites and be SATISFIED and not shove the whole thing in your mouth and feel sick?

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  25. Happy freakin' birthday! That is awesome! It is interesting how much more energy you have, isn't it!?!? That is fantastic and inspiring!!!! ;)

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  26. Happy Belated Birthday! I'm finally getting around to reading this post. May your year be filled with all good things.

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  27. I'm really late, but HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHELLEY! I hope it was a great one!

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