Sappy birthday to me

Today I turned 34.

In many ways, my mind still feels about 19 (though I’d like to think my bullshit sensor is a bit keener than it was then).

My body, on the other hand, feels much, much older.

I have aches and pains where I shouldn’t. My knees pop, grind and swell.

I have lumps and bumps, and my best cleavage is nowhere near my chest.

But slowly, I’m improving all that.

I’m writing this morning after another 1.9 miles on the treadmill and another 3 pounds lost. That’s 11 pounds so far.

I hope – I pray – that this is the last birthday that I look and feel this way.

I pray that my new lifestyle becomes just that, a lifestyle, and that my weight never holds me captive again.

But I’m also very thankful on this birthday for you, my friends. You are one of the best gifts I have.

You all are in my life because you help me be a better me.

The support you have shown me here and on Facebook has been overwhelming. You keep me going when this task seems unbearable.

And for that, I am eternally grateful.

For lunch, the good folks at work are taking me to my favorite Mexican restaurant, where I’ll have fajitas – no wraps! – and a piece of birthday cake.

If you can’t have a piece of cake on your birthday, when can you?

I’ll enjoy it immensely, and then I’ll get back to my healthy ways.

At 34, I’m quite ashamed of the shape I’ve gotten myself into.

But I’d be more ashamed if I wasn’t doing anything about it.

Have a great week.