My next 50 years

I will reach a wonderful milestone this Thursday. 50 years ago, on March 6, 1958, I entered the world. I really can't believe it. It seems like I just turned 30 - then 40 - oh well...time marches on! I spoke to my mom tonight, and she said, "I can't believe you're so old!" Thanks Mom. The funny thing is that I was a normal weight baby, at 7lbs. Now, on the verge of 50, I am a what is considered a "normal" bmi for the first time since I was probably 5 years old.

So I'm turning 50. Not much gray in the hair yet - thanks Dad, those were some good genes. However, now that I've lost so much weight, I can tell that my fat was keeping the wrinkles in my face at bay. I don't have many, but more than I had in my fat face. That's ok - I'll take the wrinkles.

You see, there could be worse ways to turn 50. I could still weigh 256 lbs, or more! I could still have Type II Diabetes, and maybe would be on the way to insulin dependence. I could be snoring like a bear all night, waking up with my sleep apnea, and feeling forever tired. I could be buying some new size 22 Women's clothes, instead of a size 8. I could be looking at my swollen legs and feet and hands. I could be dreading walking up and down the stairs in my home. I could be feeling defeated about still being morbidly obese.

Instead, I feel great! I'm down 103 lbs, and loving it! I found some "before" bathing suit pictures last weekend. AAAAAAAH! Looking at them shows me how far I've come. I really feel like a new woman! I'm enjoying getting to know my smaller self.

So, my next 50 years are going to be great. I hope to be thin for all of them. I hope to be healthy and live an abundant life. I hope to see my baby boy grow up, get married and give me some grandchildren. I hope my big son and his wife will give me some grandchildren before that! I hope to climb many mountains, hike many hikes, go horseback riding, go white water rafting and have fun! I hope to grow old and gray with my sweet husband. I hope to live to 103...I tell my son that I will, and moms need to keep their promises.

Life at 50 is wide open. I don't feel old, I feel ready! I can't wait to see what my next 50 years bring!