Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Night-time

I can manage OK during the day. I'm not perfect, but I manage. But by the time night-time rolls around I'm at a loss. I want to eat everything in sight, and get quite ticked when there's nothing good to eat. By good I mean "snacky" stuff. Heck, right now I don't even have fruits and veggies in the house to munch on.

How the heck to you snack sensibly if you don't have "good" stuff to snack on?

Ho-hum....

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Lesson Learned

You can't slack off on the running/walking thing for two months (esp. when you are out of shape to begin with) and expect to just jump right back in there where you were (same ability) before you started slacking.

I'm registered for some 5Ks, and I'm still doing those. But my personal goal for running is to be able to run a full mile without stopping. This morning I ran/walked (mostly walked because my calves felt like they were on fire) 1.03 miles in roughly 22 minutes. My best pace was 12:57/mile when I was jogging. I want to get my mile down somewhere between 10-13 minutes. I know it's a big range, but I have no idea what I am actually capable of since I've never done it before.

I'm going to alternate days. One day, I'm just going to do a mile, but focusing on my pace and running more of it than the previous time. The next day, work on my 5K run/walk.

Oh, and get to the gym as often as I can. Those are my goals. Tonight I'm planning on Kick and Power.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Free to Breathe 5K, August 21, 2010

This morning Patrick and I participated in the Free to Breathe 5K to benefit lung cancer research and awareness. I think I posted in June when I started my journey to a 5K that my goal was a race in August. The race I chose was the Free to Breathe 5K. I made this one my goal because a very close family friend, Aunt Carol, had been diagnosed with lung cancer in May. I did it today in her memory. Aunt Carol lost her fight on June 20, 2010. I was very blessed to have my wonderful husband do this race with me.

I have to say, this was the absolute hardest thing I've done in a long time. I started off feeling really good. I was actually aggravated that I couldn't get around the walkers to start running. (I went too far toward the back and couldn't get around them.) I finally started running, and it felt really good. We were running downhill, and all of a sudden my right calf started cramping horribly. I could barely keep moving. This was a little before mile 1. By the time we got to the 1st mile marker, I was ready to give up. Add to it that when we got to the water station, they were out of water, and I felt even worse. I did still have some water, but I wanted to get some fresh to drink and hold on to what I had to get me through the end.

The entire second mile I was pretty much just trying to keep moving. I was in tears - not so much from the pain, and not from just being a big baby, either. I was so disappointed in myself for even considering giving up, even though while I was in tears and urging my feet forward I was still looking for any option I had to get out. Finally, we hit the mile 2 marker. I was starting to feel a bit better by the end of the second mile, and the last mile we actually picked up my pace. Oh, did I mention that beyond the initial running we did, once the cramps started we were walking? Anyway, on the last mile we started picking up my pace. We had been last, but toward the end when the pain in now both of my calves had eased up (or maybe I was just numb to it by this time)we were actually passing people. First we passed a group of three who were walking, then a group of two, and then a group of three more.

For the first time I wasn't last. I might have been near the back, but I wasn't last. That was a great feeling! And it was even better having my husband there to do it with me!

This course was extremely hard for me. It was in Virginia Highlands. Virginia Highlands is very hilly. There wasn't much flat land. It was either up or down. I want to try this course again at some later point. I want to lose some weight and train some more. I want to get used to hills before I tackle this route again.

All in all, it was a great day. It was extremely hard for me, but I feel great knowing that even though I was hurting, I push through it and made it to the end. What a great day!

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

Lab Results

I went to the doctor last Friday just for a general check-up. I knew I needed to get a new prescription for my blood pressure medicine. After talking with my doctor, we decided to change my medication - for reasons not at all related to my blood pressure, diet, or exercise. As he looked over my records, he noticed it had been over a year since I'd had lab work done.

So, today my lab results came in... the big one.... and I'm copying it as it reads on the letter.

"Your Hemoglobin A1C (HgbA1C)is a test which measures your average blood sugar over the preceding 3 months. It is less than 6 which is excellent! There is no evidence you have diabetes."

Woohoo!!!!

Everything else was within normal limits, too! Yay!!!

Monday, July 19, 2010

Nearly a month later.....

It's been nearly a month since I posted last. I'd love to say I'd gotten in 15-20 more run/walk sessions since then, but I haven't. Today was my 3rd since my last post. Lori had some times she couldn't do it, I had some times I couldn't do it, and then a few excuses thrown in there.... all that combined adds up to no running.

This morning we got up and went for it. I didn't want to. I'll be honest. I wanted to curl back up in bed with my quilt that my grandmother made me and my pillow. I got up a little late, but I got up. I resisted the urge to tell Lori stay home and get some more sleep. I told her that while I really would rather sleep, I needed to run. She got here a little after 6AM, and we were off.

She changed things up on me, and we didn't take our usual route. I wasn't enthused about the new route we were going to take. It included more hills - and the first one she wanted me to run the entire way to the top. I honestly can't remember if I made it or not. I mean, I made it to the top of the hill, but I can't remember if I ran the whole way. If not the whole way, I made it a good bit up. It was nice to take a different route, and we're going to do it again tomorrow, for the most part, tomorrow... with a little bit of a change up.

So, today Lori and I went 3.11 miles in an hour and two minutes. That's 4/10 of a mile farther than last time, and 1 minute faster. I ran more than I've ever run before, ran up more hills than I have ever run before, my stride length has improved, and I didn't have to stop for any stretching. Lori usually stops the time on her watch/GPS if I need to stop so that the time she gets is actual movement time. She didn't have to stop it for me today!

I lasted a good bit longer in the run/walk before I got really tired, and it hit me fast. I was fine, and then I was hurting. But this was with less than a mile to go. The hardest part was the hill that leads right up to my house. It's right after a cul-de-sac that we run, so usually we walk up the hill to my house. Today, we ran the cul-de-sac, and Lori said we were going to run to the top of the hill. I was hurting and tired. I think by the time I reached the top I was making a lot of noise and nearly in tears. Not the "I-hurt-and-want-to-quit--- whining type tears," but rather the kind that come to the surface when you know you are giving all you have and trying to summon the strength to make it just that much farther. So, by the time we reached the top all the energy I was trying to drag up from my toes I thing I just expelled with a nice "Aaaaarrrrrgggghhhhhh."

It felt good to make it. To push myself. To know that I'm getting stronger. I am not an athlete, mentally. People tell me I am because I work out, I run, I've done a race. I don't feel like one, though. I don't have that drive to push myself on my own. I'm so thankful that Lori is there to push me. I know the day will come when I'll have the drive to push myself. I look forward to when Lori and I can go out for a run, and it's not her pushing me, but us pushing each other.

I'm getting there!

Thursday, June 24, 2010

Back at it

After doing the 5K Friday night, I didn't do anything Saturday or Sunday. Monday Lori and I mostly walked 1.98 miles. I was still hurting. Tuesday, I had intended to get up and do my own run/walk, but I didn't make it. Tuesday night I got in a very short run/walk, but it was better than doing nothing, I guess. Wednesday, I did nothing. Mom and I headed to Columbus to say goodbye to Aunt Carol. The service was sad, but beautiful.

It was Aunt Carol that kept me going this morning. Lori told me yesterday that today we'd do 3.1 miles, and we'd run/walk the entire thing... and I couldn't complain. Today was the first day I did this that I didn't feel like I was going to collapse. I hurt, but it wasn't the intense pain in my calves I'd experienced before. My feet didn't hurt like they normally do. By the end they were hurting, but nothing like they hurt before.

I'm still working towards being able to run more, and slowly I am getting there. I kept thinking about the Free to Breathe 5K in August. I'm doing that one for Aunt Carol. It benefits lung cancer awareness and research. I want to run as much of it as I possibly can. It's going to be a hilly race. I don't care if I place - I probably won't. I just want to run it (as much as I can) and finish it.

Monday, June 21, 2010

Keep on moving...

Well, I can't keep calling these posts "Journey to a 5K" since I've already done one. I completely took Saturday and Sunday off. I was so tired, I went to bed at 9PM. This morning I didn't want to wake up at all. I was so happy to have a text message from Lori that said she wanted to meet at 7AM instead of 6AM. I still barely got up in time. We opted for an "easy" morning - 1.98 mile run/walk in the neighborhood in about 42 minutes. My right foot and left calf bothered me. I couldn't favor one without the other one hurting. It was almost comical. We are taking tomorrow off, and then Wednesday (if I am here) we are planning on doing the entire 3.1 mile run/walk.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K, August 21st

This is what I am working towards. I originally had planned to run/walk this in honor of a close family friend, Carol Pannell. Aunt Carol was diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer at the end of May. Today, Father's Day, she lost her battle with lung cancer and she is now with her daddy and her Heavenly Father.

I am now participating in the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K in memory of Aunt Carol.

My heart is so sad right now. I didn't see her that often, but I loved the times when I got to see her. The last time I saw her was when Paw Paw was in the hospital. His defibrillator jolted him, and he was rushed to the hospital. When I got there, Aunt Carol and Uncle Larry were there, along with some other family and friends. There were there off and on for the few days that Paw Paw was in the hospital. Aunt Carol and Uncle Larry were as close to family as you could get without actually being related. My heart breaks for Uncle Larry and the rest of his family.

Please keep the Pannell family in your thoughts and prayers. If you'd like to make a donation for the Free to Breathe 5K for lung cancer research and awareness... please follow this link... http://participate.freetobreathe.org/site/TR/RunWalk/General?px=1275381&pg=personal&fr_id=1312&et=Un8uM0jvOjpn3ISI-EiULA..&s_tafId=4219 .

Saturday, June 19, 2010

After the 5K

I've been asked, "Wasn't that fun?" I'm not sure fun is the word I'd use. I'm sure at some point, I'll enjoy it, but last night... no.

Don't get me wrong. It was a fantastic experience. I learned a little more about myself. I realized that while I've done a lot in a week, I've still got a long way to go. I am glad I did it - even though I walked most of it, and most of that I was moaning and groaning. My calves felt like they were on fire, but I finished.

I also learned I have some great friends. I had two phenomenal ladies who walked the entire 5K with me (because, let's face it - I walked a whole lot more than I ran). They wouldn't let me give up on myself. They had the determination for me that I wasn't sure I possessed. Then, there were the friends who were there near the end. They'd already finished a good bit earlier, but they were there to cheer me on. They were there to cheer me on to the finish. I've learned I am truly blessed.

Here are a few pictures from last night's 5K. It's called the Midnight Run for Missions. I hope they do this again next summer so I can compare June 18, 2010 with the same 5K a year later.


This is Lori, Gail, and me before the race.


Here we are!!!


This was Gail's and my first 5K, so we had to show off our first 5K t-shirt. :-)


I look like I'm having a great time. I was hurting. Either Lori or Gail told me I'd better smile or else I was not going to like the picture Patrick took. LOL


And... the finish!!

I did it!

Oh. My. Gosh.

It hurt like heck. I won't lie. We barely started, and I was ready to be done. Lori and Gail, however, had other ideas. My goal was to finish, and to do it in under an hour fifteen minutes. Once we started and my calves were reminded of what I've been doing the last week, I just wanted to finish. And... my time was one hour seven minutes.

At one point Gail asked if she and Lori were motivating me or annoying me, to which I replied, "Annoying me." But honestly, if it weren't for Lori and Gail, I wouldn't have finished. I'd have given up before even a mile was done. This isn't ingrained in me yet. I've still got a long way to go. I walked most 5K, and even that hurt.

Lori told me no matter what, I had to finish running. She said that when we get to the corner where Patrick was taking pictures I had to start running. It was really awesome to get to that corner and see Mike there cheering me on. Then, just a little bit farther was Kristi and some other folks from our group. And then, everyone that had already run and had finished well before us cheered us on to the finish line.

I'm so thankful for Lori and Gail for not letting me quit. This could be the hardest thing I've ever done, and I hurt. But I did it. And, I'll do it again. At least one more time as I have a 5K in August. I want to get to the place where I can actually run a 5K, it not hurt me, and I actually enjoy running. I'm determined to get there.

Friday, June 18, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 18, 2010

When I started this last week, the goal was to work up to a 5K in August. I picked out the Free to Breathe Lung Cancer 5K. I am doing it in honor of my friend Carol Pannell who was recently diagnosed with lung cancer. (If you would like to make a donation, please let me know and I'll give you a link.) This is not only for me, it's for her.

Now, I'm not sure how let myself get talked into this.. and to be honest, I'm scared to death.. but I am leaving in a little over an hour to do the Midnight Run for Missions. Yep. A week and two days later, I'm doing a 5K.

I'm not going to lie. I'm terrified. I have done a 5K in my neighborhood, but only twice. Once was a run/walk, the other was simply a walk. Both were this week. Wednesday for the run/walk and Thursday for the walk.

I'm so scared. Scared I'm going to be the largest person there. Scared I'm going to let my friends down. Scared I'm going to let myself down. Scared that even though I've done it before, I won't be able to finish. My goal is to finish.

Deep down I know that I've got this. I know I can do it. But there's this little bitty seed of doubt because I've never done anything like this before. I've never been athletic. I've never entered any sporting event. By midnight tonight, I won't be able to say that.

I think.... and hope.... that tonight will be the start of a very positive new direction for me. One that includes me being fit instead of fat. I'm so thankful for my friends who are doing this tonight, too.... Lori, Mike, Gail, Kristi, and Ben. I know Lori and Gail are planning on staying with me. I'm not sure about Ben. Mike and Kristi will run it at their own pace, I think. I know Patrick will be at the finish line waiting for me.

OK, I think I've worked out most of the fear, and excitement is starting to settle in. My next post, I'll have done a 5K!!!!!!!

Friday AM Weigh-In, June 18

I have two places right now that I weigh in, but they are on different days and on different scales. I just started back to Weight Watchers meetings, and that weigh in is on Wednesdays. I also belong to an accountability group with my Atlanta Mommas friends. We post a our weekly weights on Friday, and I do that on my home scales.

You'd think those two scales would show similar weigh losses, even though the weights might not be the exact same, right? Ha! Nope. I can get on my scales at home on a Wednesday morning and have say a 2.8 pound loss, and by the afternoon when I weigh in at Weight Watchers it will be like a 1.4 from the previous week. I've come to not question or worry about it. I guess it has something to do with what I've eaten or not eaten during the day, or maybe I'm wearing heavier or lighter clothes from the previous week at WW. (Clothing isn't an issue at home, nor is having any food in my body because I weigh at home as soon as I've gotten up and gone to the bathroom.)

Anyway, I said all that to say.. if you are reading this and you see a weigh-in on Wednesday and again on Friday, I don't want you to wonder why I am posting two, or to think that I am so obsessive that I have to post weigh-ins every couple days.

I'm starting fresh this week. However, I am posting how much I've lost/gained since I started back in January, even though I've not stuck with it and basically yo-yo'd with the same 5-10 pounds since then. If I were at goal and working on maintaining, I'd be doing pretty good.

It's kind of embarrassing to think that I've been tracking my weight since January and have lost nearly nothing, but it is what it is. I can't change it. I can only move forward from where I am and try to do better. So... here goes.

Loss this week: 1.8
Total loss since 1/2/10: 4.6

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 17, 2010

Week 2
Day 2

Ow! After three days in a row of run/walk, today hurt. This would make the fourth day this week that I've gotten up and gotten out.

I really wasn't feeling it today. I woke up feeling awful. Upset stomach. Nauseous. Tired. Sore. I was definitely dragging. I attempted to run/walk, but was nearly in tears. Lori compromised and said we'd walk the 3.1 miles, but we had to keep up the pace. So, that's what we did. (Almost. I slowed up a few times.)

I will be so glad when my muscles don't hurt like you-know-what. Lori and Patrick keep telling me that it gets better, but this morning was awful. I think it was as bad as the first day.

I'm glad I'm not getting up at the crack of dawn tomorrow to walk/run, but don't think I am not going to get one in tomorrow. I'm just doing it much later in the day. Actually, it's at night. I'll have more on that later... probably Saturday.

So, I did a 3.27 walk today in 1 hour 12 minutes. Every morning we go out, we've added a little more distance. If I can get the aches and cramps tamed, I'll be doing good.

I'm not complaining and I am not making light of what I've done. At the risk of sounding conceited, I feel like I've done a lot in a week's time. I'm doing something I've never done before. I've come a long way in a very short time period. I'm proud of myself and my accomplishments.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 16, 2010

Week 2
Day 1

I started this a week ago you would have never made me believe I'd be walking/running a mile, let alone two or more. Heck, two weeks ago you'd never had made me believe I'd run three mailboxes.

Well, this morning I ran/walked 3.1 miles!!!!!

Oh. My. Gosh. Did you get that?? I ran/walked 3.1 miles!!!!!

I went to Phidippedes at Ansley Mall yesterday and got fitted for some running shoes. I felt so much better. My feet did end up hurting, but Lori said to expect that because the shoes I have are making my feet do what they are supposed to do, so my muscles are being used differently/correctly.

I would like to say I did it without complaining. I didn't. The last 3/4 to 1 mile I thought I might pass out. I didn't. Oh my gosh!!! I did 3.1 miles!

I'm just a tad bit excited. Wow!

My goal was to be doing 3.1 miles in 10 weeks. I did it in one! I am looking forward to being able to run more than walking. Woohoo!!!!

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 15, 2010

Week 1
Day 7

Wow! I've done this for a week! I've done the walk/run thing four days now. I started out barely able to do 1.5 miles that first day. I stopped numerous times, some of those stops being a little long. And now, just three times later, I just did 2.76 miles.

It hurt like heck. I won't lie. I'm by no means a runner. A few times I thought I was going to cry. It was hard. I laughed and told Lori I felt like I was about to have a "Biggest Loser" moment where someone is exercising really hard and feels like they can't go on... and they start to cry. Lori responded that she'd go all "Jillian" on me. LOL I didn't cry, but I grumbled and complained a good bit.

I'm hoping to take care of some of the pain by getting some good shoes. I am hoping to head to Phidippedes a little later today and have them help me get the right shoes. I've heard that can make a world of difference. And since I don't like pain, I think I'll try some different shoes.

Activity Summary: 2.76 miles, 1hr 2min, 1.7 miles run/walk, rest of distance walking with squats & jumping jacks every 5th house - 50 of each

Monday, June 14, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 14, 2010

Week 1
Day 6

I had good intentions this weekend to get up and do one "lap" around our neighborhood. This particular route is about 1.5 miles. My good intentions didn't become reality, though. Saturday we had the kids' birthday party. I overslept, so when I got up, it was right in to "party mode" I went. We were busy all day with family and friends, though honestly I had no intentions of doing anything after 8AM. It's too darn hot.

Then came Sunday. I knew when I found out I had to be at church by 7:45AM that I wasn't going to be doing anything. I probably should have tried to hit the treadmill or elliptical at the gym, but nope. Didn't even attempt. Instead, we got to run back and forth to the doctor's office. Patrick wrecked at his bike race and required medical attention. He's got a nasty gash in his knee that required stitches. He's hurting today, but hopefully he'll be able to at least walk around tomorrow without too much discomfort.

Which brings me to today.....

Getting up this morning was insanely difficult. I finally rolled out of bed at around 5:15 (not the 5AM I was aiming for). Jumped in the shower (still had on makeup from Sunday.. I crashed the night before), ran downstairs for a piece of peanut butter bread, and out the door a little after 6AM. The first mile was a walk/run. The rest (1.25 miles) we walked, but stopped every 5th house to do squats. Our time only increased by 5 seconds, though we went farther and kept stopping for squats.

So, I am going to have to figure out the sleep and exercise thing. I am exhausted after I get back from our run/walk. I took a two hour nap this morning. I probably could have slept longer, but the telephone woke me. Which is a good thing. I didn't need to sleep all day.

I also need some good shoes. I've been wearing a pair of Nike shoes, but today wore a pair of New Balance. So, I went from the side of my feet aching to my arches killing me. Ouch!! Hopefully I'll be able to get professionally fitted for some running shoes soon.

I've got a 5K in August, and a secret one soon that I am just hoping to get through. LOL Ssshhhhh.... don't tell anyone. :-)

Friday, June 11, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 11, 2010

Week 1
Day 3

OK, so yesterday I was awful. I didn't do anything! I intended to get up and go to the gym at 5:45 AM for "Group Power." Yeah. Didn't do that. I turned off the alarm and rolled right over. Then, I planned on going to the pool to swim. Yeah. That didn't happen either. I even thought about coming on here to post about not doing anything, and even that required too much effort. I did, at least, go to VBS and jump and sing. That gave me at least a little movement. Not a whole lot, mind you, but some.

So...this morning, bright and early, Lori knocked on my door, and off we went. We started off with a good bit of walking since my legs (and hers, too) were really tight and sore. Yesterday I was only able to jog twice. Today, I was able to get in three times. I figure that's improvement! We went half a mile farther, and we figured out that if we had stuck to the same route, we would have taken about 7 minutes off our time from Wednesday. We're going to stick to roughly two miles for a while so that I can build up some endurance.

It felt great this morning to get out and do something. It didn't seem as hard or as impossible today as it did on Wednesday. I love that I have someone to push me. Lori encourages me and pushes me, but she also knows and accepts my limitations. She has gently encouraged me to push just a bit harder to stretch those limits. Yes, this is only after two days running/walking with her. I could pick that out immediately. I don't think I'd do well with a "Jillian" type person yelling at me. I don't want to go to boot camp, ya know?

A positive side effect of working my body harder is I want less junk. I don't want chips and soda. There are Oreos in the kitchen that are not at all a temptation. I just don't want to do this good for my body and then undo it by eating crap.

Another positive side effect is that I actually am more motivated to go to the gym and push harder (well, not yesterday). On Wednesday, I went to the gym after I did the run/walk with Lori. I did "Group Kick" for an hour, and I noticed me really pushing myself harder. Then, today, I went to spin. I only made it 20 minutes, but I was pouring sweat. In the past, I would have not even tried to do another activity. But two days now I have done the run/walk and then something else.

Tomorrow we are having a birthday party for Logan and Colleen. I have no clue whether or not I'll be able to get to the gym. I'm actually thinking tomorrow afternoon or evening would be a great time to hit the pool. We'll see what the day brings, I guess.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Journey to a 5K, June 9, 2010

Week 1
Day 1

Yesterday my friend Lori called me, wanting to encourage and motivate me. She challenged me to start running and train for a 5K. I accepted her challenge.

Now, I am well over 200 pounds. And I do mean "well over." I've never run. Let me take that back. I have only ever run when I absolutely had to. And those occasions are have been rare. I'm simply not a runner.

So, this morning Lori arrived at 6:30, ready to begin my training. The goal was a mile and a half. My neighborhood is hilly, which is great because the 5K I chose is pretty hilly. I walked more than I ran, and it took me about 40 minutes. My calves are killing me. I am seriously hurting. But, I know this is a good thing. I've never worked my muscles like this before. I've never had to learn to breathe like this before. So, all "well-over" 200 pounds of me walked/jogged this morning, and we'll do it again Friday.

Patrick went to the grocery store to get bananas for me, and I have to really up my water intake if this is going to work. Wish me luck.

Thursday, February 18, 2010

Day 1

I am finally actually getting with the program. The Weight Watcher's program, that is. I've done it before, and I know it works. But for some reason I keep thinking I can do it on my own, so I cancel my membership with them. And, I end up quitting even following the program on my own.

So, I went back yesterday.

Today was my first day back "on program." It's been a good day. I've been satisfied with what I've eaten, and as I type this I still have a couple of points leftover so that I can have some popcorn after band rehearsal tonight. Can't complain about that.

Saturday, January 2, 2010

January 2, 2010

I made my resolutions yesterday, now it's time to start sticking with them. I poured out the almost full Mountain Dew last night. I made myself a cup of coffee and a bowl of Raisin Bran. I'm off to a good start. I am optimistic that this is my year to finally get healthy.

Friday, January 1, 2010

New Year, New Me

Happy 2010! It's been a lazy start to the new year for me. We got up at around 9AM this morning, headed over to a friend's house for brunch, and now we are back home watching football. It's been a nice day.

So, as I sit here being lazy, I am at least thinking of what I am going to do for myself this year. Call them resolutions, commitments, goals - whatever - I am setting them today.

1. No more regular soda.
I honestly don't know if I can give up regular soda for a year, but I am certainly going to try. I drink way too many sodas. I have consumed many calories in my beverages alone.

2. At least 8 glasses (64 oz) of water a day.
In order for my body to function properly, I need to keep it hydrated. Not only that, but if I am not drinking sugared soda, I have to drink something.

3. Exercise 4-6 times a week
This is a no-brainer. I need to move my body. I won't commit myself to getting to the gym 4-6 times a week. I know that sometimes I'll have to do something here at the house. But I must do something.

4. Three meals a day - no excuses!
I'm very bad about not eating breakfast. I have some Herbalife nutritional shake mix. If I am not going to eat something in the morning, I will have a shake. I simply can not skip meals.

5. Write it down!!!
There's a saying that I've heard a lot when I attended Weight Watchers: If you bite it, write it. I need to write down everything I put in my mouth, even the "BLTs." You know, the "bites, licks, and tastes." In addition, I am going to keep up with my activity and how I am feeling. I am hoping to pinpoint if I am eating because I am hungry, bored, stressed, happy, not feeling well, etc.

So, there they are. My goals/resolutions/commitments... whatever.