Hi all--- I might as well come right out and say it....I'm (gulp) 40. I certainly don't act it.... thankfully, I don't feel it...and I don't want to look it (yet). First off, I turned vegetarian at 15, and went on to veganism at around age 24. I did so for ethical reasons but health was always important to me as well. I considered myself an athlete growing up -I played soccer since I was 9- I even won the Phys Ed Medal at my H.S. graduation so others must have thought me to be athletic too...BUT, even though I might have next to 0 physical activity for months and months at a time(years maybe?) , I STILL falsely think of myself as some sort of an athlete. I look around at other people in my age group and think-"hey, compared to _____, I'm not so bad, really." A real problem. Once I get motivated and moving, I am certainly healthier and happier...and my body actually starts to catch up with my active imagination. The same thing goes for eating patterns. I have learned that being vegan does not necessarily equal optimum health (but it easily can) and I have had periods of eating very very healthfully and then I slip a little here and there and it gradually I'm eating a vegan sugary dessert after each meal and I have gained 15 pounds without hardly noticing...(what the? those damned pants must have shrunk!) The last time I felt really good about my body was 2 1/2 years ago when my husband and I went on a fast (I've done them before) and we started eating as alkaline a diet as we could. I was mostly walking (some running), using a trampoline 4-5 x's a week for 30-45 minutes, and using 10 lb weights once in a while. I believe I got down to about 128 lbs.( I am 5' 7 1/2"). I don't know what my body fat % is. Well, as time slipped into the future, I slowly lost my focus and recently found myself to be at about 143 and just out of shape in general....and yes, 40. BTW- Problem areas are my thighs and butt....(too big)...and upper body (too small). WHERE I'M AT NOW: I've been taking steps for the past 3 weeks to get back into shape....shed some fat, gain some muscle and just gain that overall feeling of strength, control, confidence, and well-being. I started doing something that is so completely foreign to me...working out to a dvd program. I won't even say what it is because this is NOT an advert. After 3 weeks of struggling, I do see results. I have lost around 5-6 lbs. I already gained some muscle mass in my arms and shoulders and the abs are coming along I guess. Pants are fitting better too....hmmm I guess I didn't shrink them after all! I am doing this regime with my husband (also a vegan of 15 years) so that helps a lot with motivation. Just thought some outside help and inspiration from you guys couldn't hurt, right? More lofty goals: I want to be able to do a pull-up for the first time ever. Okay, might as well say unassisted pull-ups. I am doing them now with the help of a chair. I may even want to start doing roller derby and actually be competing in a sport again after all of these years! "Before and After Pics" I'll post in a few weeks for critiquing Hey, it's really cool to be here- s
hey there- I just joined these boards. I've been only doing p90x for 3 weeks and see a difference. How did you do? It's rough----I actually had to stop for 4 days because I caught a virus but I'm starting up again tonight. I too wish I had your midsection. I'm short-waisted and just will never have that look. s