“Forty and fabulous! With a sprinkle of sass and a dash of class.”
I found this quote funny, but not quite accurate. Forty. Welp, unfortunately, guys, this is true. It was another big week in our house last week. I rolled into my forties. Friends and family kept asking how I felt about turning forty. I told them this was going to be my best decade yet! I fought so many sicknesses and surgeries in my thirties. It was my turn to finally have a good year — I mean, a whole decade of good health would be nice too. I’ve had enough happen to me over the past seven years to last a lifetime, so I felt like saying this wasn’t me being over the top. Since January, this is honestly the best I have felt in so long, and it’s been amazing! I’m like “Bring on the forties, baby!”
They say, life starts at forty? Let’s do it.
Now, don’t get me wrong, I learned so much in my thirties, too. I worked so hard to lose 65 pounds. Seven years later, I’ve maintained my weight loss by teaching myself the importance of a high-protein, high-step-count diet, incorporating weight training, and practicing moderation. I started by making very small changes. Good things take time. I am thankful my thirties gave me the opportunity and time to want to learn and grow in my health, because there were times where I truly believed if I were that bigger girl like I was, that it would have been much harder for me to recover from some of the health issues I had. God had a plan for me. He knew what was coming and prepared me in his own way. For that, I am blessed.
In my thirties, I definitely got myself together and knew I had to turn my life around. If you are struggling with weight issues, only you can make the change. It’s so hard to get started, I know. But choose your hard. It’s hard to live in a bigger body. It’s hard to want to eat better and exercise. They are both challenging, but one will give you more confidence and help you love yourself as you always should! If I can do it, you can do it! I still have more to go, but my health has played a big role in this. All my doctors —heart, lung, endo, gastro, and family—tell me it’s amazing that I’ve kept all my weight off, given everything I have been dealing with. Yes, I have like five doctors. It’s ridiculous, but I have one heck of an amazing team. Again, God knew what he was doing. (I really wasn’t going to get into all this for this article, but here we are. I just start typing and it all flows out.)
Sprinkle of sass? Oh Lawd. We all know this is a fact. But a sprinkle? I’m more like a dollop. OK, a really big dollop. Like a big ole plop of sour cream on a cheesy chicken quesadilla. You sour cream folks know what I am talking about. I’m not a rude, sassy person (unless you tick me off). I’m just straightforward. Nothing holds me back from saying what’s on my mind. I won’t change who I am for anyone. I am real and raw in any situation, but I love this part of me. I’m sure my sass wasn’t as pleasant when I was a teen. My (over the top) sass got my butt whaled in not just the JCPenny’s changing rooms, folks, but plenty of other places. I deserved it. Trust me. God bless my momma for dealing with my mouth. My dad, too, but see, I was smart not to do it to my dad. HA! Teenagers. What a blessing they are. *insert cheesy smile here*
Dash of class? Meh. I don’t have much elegance other than my dress selection, if that counts. Elegant, stylish, and sophisticated. I am not soft spoken, and I had a hard time just spelling the word sophisticated. (I did it though!) I am sure my momma wishes I could act a little more like a lady some days, but I know she wouldn’t trade her girl’s personality for nothin’. I try to act like a sweet, elegant lady. I really do! But it’s hard! *insert another cheesy smile here* Momma tried to raise a lady. God bless her, she really did, but I have a lot of my daddy in me, too. Together, they raised a tough, strong, and sassy lady!
Last but not least, fabulous. As a quote from “The Grinch” by Jim Carrey, “Somebody’s Fabulous!” I definitely felt that the weekend and day of my birthday where my friends and family spoiled me rotten. Surprise party and everything. It was the most incredible weekend, and I was on such a high until I went to bed on Sunday night. You won’t believe what happened. It was like some kind of sick joke — less than 24 hours after turning forty. I’ll share next week. Hold on to that anticipation, folks! I know it will be tough haha!
Skinny Frozen Bites
(100 calories per serving)
Ingredients:
• 1 – 8 oz container of Cool Whip
• 7 TBSP of PB2 powder
• 5 TBSP Water (for the PB2)
• Chocolate Syrup
• Sprinkles
Directions:
Mix the water and PB2 powder in a bowl until it becomes a peanut butter texture. YOU CAN USE REGULAR PEANUT BUTTER TOO! 4 TBSP of regular peanut butter if you use it, but they will be a little higher in calories.
Once your peanut butter is mixed, add cool whip and mix with beater until creamy.
Place 4-5 tbsp in each lined cupcake holder.
Then top with a little chocolate syrup and sprinkles. Freeze an hour and enjoy! Any leftovers just place in a freezer bag and snack on when you are ready for a lite delicious treat!