Turning 40

Ah, forty! These past months, I've been dreading this day. Now that the celebration is over, how do I really feel about turning 40?

Well, my arms are getting flabby; creases are beginning to show on my forehead; I can't seem to loose that bulge in my belly; I use eye drops to treat glaucoma; and I have other ailments that are too embarrassing to divulge. My body is definitely telling me that "hey, you've lived half of your life already, and it's just downhill from here on".

But I want to look at it as having another half of my life to live and realize the importance of living it now.

It dawned on me suddenly that at this age, there are some things that are important, others might be nice, but many that I don't need at all. I don't have to climb mountains. I have a new attitude - the "I don't care" attitude. There are little things that used to eat up a lot of my time with worry - now, those don't really matter any more. So what if my house never looked like those in the magazines? It's not simply a house, but a home, lived in, with plenty of messes and everyday clutter. Do i really have to sign up my children in every sports and after-school activities? No, I'd rather that we all get our down-time after a hard day at work and school, and enjoy dinner at the table every evening as a family. Yes, it's nice to have the newest, coolest gadgets and toys. But I'm not slaving myself and working too many hours just to keep up with the Joneses.

My joys are simple: holding hands with my husband, sharing a cookie with my boys, giving them good night kisses, joking and laughing with my friends, swapping stories with my siblings, snuggling with a good book.

Yes, I'm forty. And it's not just a number. It is a rite of passage, of being wiser and possessing wisdom. It's not by accident, but a result of maturity and experience, that in turn gives a sense of humility, resilience, patience, altruism and compassion. Why would I want to turn back the clock? I've never been as comfortable with myself and as content with my life. Forty. I love it! And I have a feeling that the best has yet to come.

Forget the battle with the bulge

The cooler months are here, and with it comes my lack of enthusiasm to go out and stay active. Beginning spring this year, I have been good about going for a run at least twice a week and working out in our basement using our bowflex machine for strength training. My family managed to stay active all summer long with fishing and swimming at the lake as well as trips to the beach, playground, and various festivals. But now that fall season is here, it seems I just want to tuck myself under the blanket and nap all day. Exercise? Forget about it.

What's worse? Fall season is harvest time for apples, pumpkins and sweet corn, among other things. That means plenty of apple pies, pumpkin pies and corn on the cob. Soon there will be Halloween parties and our house will be full of sweet treats and goodies. There's also St. Patrick's Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. It doesn't end there. It goes on until Valentines Day and Easter. And all these holidays are celebrated with foods galore that are hard to resist.

There is no way I can continue to wage my battle with the bulge. Fall and winter seasons mean extra calories and pounds. I'm not getting any younger and my metabolism is much slower. So I'm throwing in the towel.
Unless, of course, if I change my goal. Instead of losing weight and taking inches off my waist, I should just strive to stay fit.

Acceptance to the fact that I'm not in my 20's anymore is the key. Nothing I could do would turn back the clock. Heck, there is no way that I could look like in my 20's anymore, unless I go for drastic measures such as botox injections, liposuction and tummy tuck. Even then, I would look unnatural. Just look at Hollywood celebrities looking so fake.

So, starting today, I am embracing every wrinkle and every flab that comes my way. I don't have to look ten or twenty years younger than my age. I am comfortable with just looking good for my age. That said, I'm devoted to continue running and exercising as much as I can, for as much as I can motivate myself. Even if I don't lose weight and that bulge on my belly stays there, I will still savor that good feeling from endorphin rush after a good workout. At the same time, I will enjoy my apple pie.
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　
　

Have you had the flu shot yet?

It's that time of the year again. No, I'm not talking about apples and pumpkin pies, ghosts and ghouls, deer hunting and footballs. I'm talking about the flu shot.

This year's flu vaccine will protect against three different flu viruses: an H3N2 virus, an influenza B virus and the H1N1 virus (swine flu virus) that caused so much illness last season. The CDC now recommends the vaccine for everyone aged 6 months and older.

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I always get the flu shot every year - not so much for myself but for other people around me. I'm a healthy adult and it's more than likely that, if I come down with the flu, I will fully recover from it. However, I am around the frail and elderly population who suffers chronic illnesses, and I recognize that I can pass the flu, and to them, the flu can be fatal. I have seen flu kill healthy older adults before.