40 Weeks and 40 Pounds to Fabulous at 40

In 40 weeks, I turn 40. I told myself two years ago, after giving birth to my third and final baby (I have a fourth in heaven), that I would have my groove back and be in the best shape I have been since college by the time I turned 40.

Well, my deadline is 40 weeks away, and I have 40 lbs to lose! I figured, I'd better make this public.

I have put my faith in a few fad diets over the past two years, most recently losing and regaining 20lbs four times with the HCG diet (which has you taking drops of HCG while eating 500 calories a day.) The real restrictive diets don't work for me cause when I go off the diet, I go nuts in opposite direction.Hello ice cream!

I also know that I lose weight best when I eat mostly fruits, vegetables and lean dairy and protein and layoff carbs and sugars.(you know, the good stuff)

Taking all that into consideration--as well as my busy lifestyle, working full time, traveling some for work and raising three kids--I need a flexible food plan.

So, I decided to return to Weight Watchers. I am a lifetime member of Weight Watchers. I first joined when I was in the 7th grade and was a member throughout high school, college and into early adulthood. I haven't been to a meeting since 2006 and after seeing a colleague have success with the new 360 program, I decided to return to a sensible lifestyle based on real food with nothing that is off limits.

Everything is permitted but not everything is beneficial.

Being fabulous at 40 isn't only about losing 40 lbs (although it is a big part of it for me). It is about being my best self physically and spiritually. So in addition to the diet plan, I am planning on committing to an exercise regime that will help me tone up my almost 40 year-old, post three-baby body. This fitness plan will include a combination of the Insanity workout, Zumba, yoga and the treadmill. Finally, I am focusing on fashion. I want to identify a go to wardrobe for work and play that really defines my style (and does not say frumpy mom). I want a stylish hairdo, whiter teeth and a make up pallete that brightens my smile.

On the spiritual side of things, I'm reading my Bible daily, spending time in prayer each day alone and with my family and teaching the Word to my kids. I also have a solid list of Christian books to read this year from fiction to books about motherhood and everything in between.

I can't wait to see where God leads me this year as I embark on my journey to be fabulously me at forty!

Here's to the next 40 weeks!