Fabulous by 40

As I was talking myself in to blogging here consistently for my last year in my 30s, I came upon this unpublished post from when I was following the Whole30 Challenge:

"My favorite foods on the Whole 30:

eggs, spinach (cooked just enough to barely wilt), red bell pepper, avocado and salsa

chicken or shrimp curry (choice of meat with coconut milk, curry and other spices, chunks of sweet potato. YUM! My entire family loved this.)

salads - mostly spinach and arugula and cilantro blended - with all kinds of veggies and maybe some apple mixed in.  I add a touch of Bragg's sesame ginger dressing. (It has a little honey and olive oil, but I made the choice to use this dressing anyway. You decide for yourself.)

smoothies - banana, avocado, date paste (I make it with dates and water), cocoa powder, coconut milk and maybe strawberries

lettuce wraps - any meat I like plus veggies, sweet potato chunks, other veggies, salsa and avocado. Good with sesame paste (tahini), too.

chili

soup - sweet potato, butternut squash, coconut milk, and some other good stuff.  Wowza!

raw almonds, cashews, and apples for snacks.

mousse, made with dates, coconut milk and cocoa powder"

This entry reminded me how many good foods I was eating while following this plan. It also made me think about the junk I've been eating while NOT following the Whole30.  So I'm going back to following the Whole9.  So I'll call what I'm doing the "Partial 30."  Heh.

I have a major goal of being happy with my physical self by the time I reach 40.  The months will pass quickly this year, so I know I need to get on it now.  NOW.

When you set a goal, a popular tool to reach that goal is to create an inspiration board.  Here are some of my inspirations:

Click on the photo to see my Pinterest inspiration board.

2005-06 Running an early-morning 5K. Got 3rd in my age group.

Less than 5 years ago. I'd like to be back here.

I choose these older photos of myself because, both times, I was still not totally satisfied with my body.  I still complained about my poochy stomach.  Looking back, I was an idiot.  I was consistently exercising and I ate less of the foods I liked.  My inspiration isn't some chick with tanned skin and washboard abs. My goal is a healthy version of myself, who enjoys walking, running, yoga, and bootcamp-type workouts on a regular, weekly basis.  A healthy version of myself, makes wise choices with my diet, and truly enjoys eating my favorite foods in moderation.

45 1/2 weeks.  318 days that will pass weather I am active or inactive.  Time to get busy!