Another year

My birthday is fast approaching! On the 21st of this month I will be 34 years old.  Since turning 30, I find every year must be filled with a purpose. It doesn't have to be earth-shattering to anyone else, but it needs to be a year focused on something I would like to improve upon in my life. This year I worked on me, physically. For years I've wanted to lose weight and this past year I decided to get really real about it. I'm so glad I did because I don't think I've felt better in at least 10 years!

So for my 34th birthday, I am committing myself to choosing a career path and giving it my all. I've spent plenty of the past 11 years raising little kids who have grown into big school-age kids. I even have a middle-schooler! Whaaaat?!?! Yeah. Well now it's time for me to have something that is mine, that I focus on, that I truly enjoy - and I'm really excited about that! Fortunately becoming a personal trainer will allow me to study the curriculum for six months, then take the test for certification. I'm not a fan of school, I love learning, but the school setting has never really been my thing. I can even wear Nikes to work! So this should be a good fit! I'm excited because I do enjoy exercise and how it has changed my body even in the year I've spent changing my eating habits and being more active. To help other people reach their goals will be very fulfilling, plus I can start a blog about healthy living - what's not to love!??!

When I see the effect my lifestyle change has had on my kids I know I can make a difference in someone's life. They know how to read a nutrition label, even Nas is coming along. Although I typically make choosing healthy foods pretty easy by keeping too much junk out of the house, the kids can go out to eat and still make great choices! Now to get through to them that we can enjoy whatever we want, just not every day and there's no reason to suck down a Slurpee bigger than the smallest cup (NAS!).  But overall, I've led by example and the kids are following suit. Maybe they can avoid the lesson I had to learn to get myself back to a healthier place in fitness and nutrition.

I don't know what 34 holds for me, but since turning 30, I have had some really good days - and for that I'm so thankful! When people talk about turning 30 it's typically pretty somber, but not for me. If 30s are this good, I can't WAIT to see what the 40s bring - well, assuming I continue to grow and unravel the woman God meant for me to be! Okay, so I can wait, but I'm not dreading getting older. I'm closer to looking the way I want to look, feeling the way I want to feel, and living the way I want to live, and 34 will just put me one year closer. Here's to 34...