For the last few months, I’ve been totally freaked out over the thought of turning 30. Why? I don’t really know.

There was always that next big milestone to look forward to – 16 & driving a car; 18 & graduation; 21 & drinking (legally).

What’s  to look forward to at 30? Being a grown up? I feel like I should have accomplished more. You know, those things that society tells you that you should have – husband, 2.5 kids, a house & a career on the up & up.

What do I have? A divorce (finalized a mere month before my birthday), two cats and a corporate job that seems more like quicksand than anything else.

But hold on a minute …. Focusing on those things is exactly why I’ve been freaking out. Negative thinking will get you nowhere. I realized last night it’s time to shift my focus and realize all the wonderful things I have accomplished.

Since the last big milestone birthday (21), I have:

• Earned my bachelors degree – in 4 years.
• Successfully moved 3 times. Once completely by myself and in a snowstorm. (Double points for that, right?)
• Adopted the best cats ever.
• Officially quit caffeine & soda. (After about 10 tries!)
• Started running and am consistently logging 2-4 miles each run.
• Followed a dream & am becoming certified as a holistic health counselor.
• Started my own health counseling practice.
• Lost 28 lbs (so far!) and am finally feeling healthy.

Plus, by my birthday, I will have:

• Run 4 races – #4 is on May 22.
• Completely paid off my student loan.
• Be debt-free (other than my car).

I’d say that’s quite a bit to be proud of, right?

Now, I’m not so afraid of 30. In fact, I want to use this birthday as a reason to be my healthiest yet. Over the next month, I’m going to step up my workouts and really focus on being the healthiest me possible. (Plus, I’ve got to get ready for hanging on the beach and rockin’ a bikini!)

My 20′s weren’t that bad, but I’m determined to make my 30′s the best yet.

Call me crazy, wacko, batty, kooky, nutty, screwy, fruity, or whatever. I don’t care; I totally believe in this stuff. I also believe in ghosts, goblins and ghouls too. But, that’s neither here, nor there.

Here’s the thing: I don’t know any pet owner who doesn’t talk to their animals. I talk to my boys constantly when I’m at home. And I think I’ve got somewhat of a grip on what they’re trying to communicate to me … sometimes.

Lovie

For instance, I can usually understand Lovie’s actions & meows. When he meows and reaches his paws to my thigh, he wants to be held and snuggle. When he sits next to the couch just looking at me, he wants me to make space for him so he can snuggle. When he follows me from room to room, he wants to snuggle …. Actually, he’s waiting for food. But then it’s right back to snuggle time.

Yeah, Lovie and I, we get each other.

It’s Loki I have trouble with.

Loki

Loki … *sigh* I think of him as my little goth teen who hates when his mom hugs him or gives him a kiss and just wants to be left alone, because nobody understands the angst. I haven’t learned his language yet. It’s getting better – he now demands a little love fest when I get up in the morning and sometimes curls up on the couch or bed by me. He’s a bit skittish sometimes and a little aggressive at other times. But, I love him to death and wouldn’t trade him for anything in the world.

So, just like any mother, I sought out someone to help me understand my kids better. Little did I know this would help me understand me better.

I met up with Asia Voight at Botanical Indulgence in Neenah and had a fantastic session with her. I learned my boys are very preceptive and know exactly what’s going on. Loki, surprisingly, was my little chatterbox and jumped right in to the conversation with had a LOT to say … or rather, ask. (And here I thought I was going to be asking the questions!) He wanted to know why he couldn’t go outside (because it’s dangerous); what happened to Scott (we separated and he moved out); are we moving (some day, but yes, possibly soon); and can we get a screened-in porch (um, sure?). Lovie, my sweet baby, let Loki chatter away – cause he would have interrupted anyway – and then chatted about his past home (apparently there was a screened-in porch and he’s been telling Loki about it) and how happy he is here with me.

What I wasn’t expecting was for Asia to tell me that they are proud of me and that they think I’m doing the right thing. Could that have been hype? Sure, but I like to think my boys know what’s going on and can sense the change in me in the last few months.

Two funny things that came from this (both from Loki, of course): 1. Please don’t date anyone anytime soon. (Selfish little buggers, huh?) and 2.No babies, please. The visits from the neighbor’s little girl are great, but screaming kids are not welcome.

Did I get all the answers? No … I still don’t know why Loki feels the need to wake me at 6:30 every morning when he has food. Or why he doesn’t want to be held. But, I do know that yes, they are just playing – most of the time – and how very special they are. I’m trying to be more aware of my feelings and how they act around me. I’ve noticed that Loki seems to seek out snuggles more often and actually has started following me around sometimes.

Would I do it again? You betcha. In fact, I told her I’d be calling her after I moved – to a place with a screened-in porch, of course.

Starting:
High waist (smallest point): 33 inches
Waist: 37 inches
Hips: 39.5 inches

Ending:
High waist (smallest point): 30.5 inches
Waist: 36 inches
Hips: 37.5 inches

Total loss: 5.5 inches.

Um, is my math correct, cause that sounds freakin’ awesome!!!! Here are some photo comparisons. The before photo was taken in October/November when the first whittle my middle challenge happened. (Sorry the photos are terrible – it’s hard to take pics of yourself in the mirror!)

Before whittle my middle

After whittle my middle

Before whittle my middle

After whittle my middle (like my jammie pants?)

I’m definitely not sporting the “oh my god, I could grate cheese on your abs” abs, but I’m totally pumped with these results. I love that I’ve still got curves and a little bit of  softness – makes me feel like a woman. I do feel like there’s definition now and I certainly feel stronger! It’s amazing what 30 days will do to your body. I’ll keep doing some kind of ab workout – esp. planks & side planks, I feel like those were the most useful. Thank you Angela for doing this challenge again!

(P.S.: The scale said 134.4 today!)

Day 29: The day totally got away from me, so I’m adding a day to my challenge.

Day 30:

• Front plank: 2 min
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 40 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 31:

• Front plank: 2 min
• Side plank:  1 min 30 sec. each side
• Torso twists: 50 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

• Front plank: 2 min
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 35 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 23: 2.6 mile run +abs

• Front plank: 2 min – This was REALLY hard today.
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 35 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 24: rest

Day 25:

• Front plank: 2 min
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 35 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 26:

• Front plank: 2 min
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 40 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 27:

• Front plank: 2 min
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 40 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 28: 2.8 mile run. & rest day

Three days to go in this challenge!!

• Front plank: 1 min 30 seconds
• Side plank:  45 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 30 reps each side
• Plank ups: 12 reps
• Boat pose: 45 seconds
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  12 reps each side

Day 16:

• Front plank: 1 min 45 seconds
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 30 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min (KILLER! I hate this one)
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 17: Run 2.1 miles (abs rest)

Day 18:

• Front plank: 1 min 45 seconds
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 30 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 19:

• Front plank: 1 min 45 seconds
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 30 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Boat pose: 1 min
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 20: abbreviated version as it was SUPER late when I got to this.

• Front plank: 1 min 45 seconds
• Side plank:  1 min each side
• Torso twists: 30 reps each side
• Plank ups: 15 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  15 reps each side

Day 21: Took a 2-hour belly dancing class! SO much fun. I decided I could skip the WMM routine after that.

Day 9:

• Front plank: 1 min 15 seconds
• Side plank:  45 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 25 reps each side
• Plank ups: 12 reps
• Boat pose: 45 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  10 reps each side

Day 10:

• Front plank: 1 min 15 seconds
• Side plank:  45 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 25 reps each side
• Plank ups: 12 reps
• Boat pose: 45 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  10 reps each side

Day 11: 1.5 miles run outside.
Almost didn’t get my ab workout done today, but I squeezed it in before bed. Those plank ups are KILLER!

• Front plank: 1 min 15 seconds
• Side plank:  45 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 25 reps each side
• Plank ups: 12 reps
• Boat pose: 45 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  12 reps each side

Day 12:

• Front plank: 1 min 15 seconds
• Side plank:  45 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 25 reps each side
• Plank ups: 12 reps
• Boat pose: 45 seconds
• Bicycle: 50 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  12 reps each side

Day 13: Rest day

Day 14: Accidental rest day – I realized as I was falling asleep that I forgot to do my workout! oops.

Definitely not a great week on the running front, but overall I’m not that disappointed. Half-way there!

They’re cargo pants from Old Navy that I bought about 3-4 years ago. At the time, they were a little too big – as in, I could pull them on/off without unbuttoning them.

Then life happened and I seemed to balloon …. At my heaviest (158ish), I tossed the pants in the back corner of the closet, knowing I’d never get back into them.

Then, I changed my attitude, my eating habits, my activity level and kept thinking about those pants. I knew that if I ever got to the point where I could pull them on/off without unbuttoning them again, I’d be successful in this fitness endeavor.

Well, the day has come, and I’m happy to say those kahki cargos I love so much are falling off! Sweet success!!

Bonus: The scale this morning (and yesterday morning) said 135.6 … Officially 20+ pounds lighter than I was 10 months ago when I decided enough was enough.

Was it hard, yeah. Was it worth it, hell yeah! Not only do I feel great & think I look pretty darn good, I’m learning to love my body and nourish it in all the right ways – good food, exercise, & positive thoughts.

Can you do it too? HELL YES! And I’ll be here cheering you on as you do it.

Day 5: Abs + 30 minutes snow shoveling x2

• Front plank: 60 seconds
• Side plank:  30 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 20 reps each side
• Plank ups: 10 reps
• Boat pose: 30 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  8 reps each side

Day 6: 45 min snow shoveling, gave the abs a rest!

Day 7: 1.6 mile run + abs

• Front plank: 1 min 15 seconds
• Side plank:  45 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 22 reps each side
• Plank ups: 12 reps
• Boat pose: 45 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  8 reps each side

Day 2: Rest

Day 3:

• Front plank: 60 seconds
• Side plank:  30 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 18 reps each side
• Plank ups: 10 reps
• Boat pose: 30 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  8 reps each side

Day 4: Abs + run 2.32 miles

• Front plank: 60 seconds
• Side plank:  30 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 20 reps each side
• Plank ups: 10 reps
• Boat pose: 30 seconds
• Bicycle: 40 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  8 reps each side

I sure do feel MUCH better after that run & abs workout. I almost feel like I’m glowing

Here are my starting stats:

High waist (smallest point): 33 inches
Waist: 37 inches
Hips: 39.5 inches

Day 1:

• Front plank: 60 seconds
• Side plank:  30 seconds each side
• Torso twists: 15 reps each side
• Plank ups: 10 reps
• Boat pose: 30 seconds
• Bicycle: 30 reps
• Side plank w/ twists:  8 reps each side