As soon as I wrote the words, I was off the computer, socks and Ryka sneakers on.  Hat, scarf, gloves, and warm sweatshirt. Put on the pedometer and grabbed my Ipod and out the door. Turned on the Ipod, but no sound. I was bumming out, cause I love my music. Came back into the house to realize, I hadnt even put the ear buds in. After the DUH moment passed , I was back on track…… lolThis new pedometer does it all. So I was anxious to get the walk started- just to see the results at the end. The weather was sunny and comfortable, probably high 30’s, no wind. I took off, enjoying my music. We live on a fairly quiet country road, so not a lot of traffic. Passed a friendly dog, then the horse farm, all at a decent pace. Made it down to the stop sign, after a killer incline, and then back home, passing another neighbors german shepherd. So I walked for 40 minutes. I took 4961 steps, burned 224 calories,  covered 2.32 miles. I was very pleased, as I kept a nice pace. The software is for a PC and I have a Mac, so I can only rely on the pedometer and document as I go for now. It was a time to let myself enjoy my music, and not think. It was awesome, and I am so glad I went.The epiphany of the day was this…… A month ago, I was doing all the wrong things, eating poorly, not moving, and today I am making a conscious effort to improve. Today started with the angst of weigh in- what if I didnt lose? A stress that I really dont need. I thought, what are my options?? I could quit and go back to the old ways or I can continue and learn. A month ago, I would have quit. I have a history of quitting, when it doesnt happen fast enough. I NOW know I am on this for the lifestyle change it is, because I dont want to quit. I want to find the answers to helping and healing my body.  If something doesnt work but can be improved on, then I want to try it. Exercise, even if I dont like it or want to do it, is a very important part of this. Our bodies are meant to move. It doesnt mean I have to hate every minute of it. I have to find the things that get me moving that I enjoy. This mornings walk, alone, was one of them. My quest to find more excites me. My food choices are in need of some changes- I am eager to try new foods, and food combinations.  My son, 9, told me this morning, how he was looking forward to a big salad at lunch. SMILE! Thats all I could do. I am learning homemade( not frozen) foods are the way to go, and I need to find ways to make this more appealing for me to do.  I do read a lot about health and I own a library of books- If I can take one thing from each book, then maybe two things. It is a trial and error process. And TODAY, as I sit hear typing, realize, I am going to make some mistakes along the way, and thats OK. This lifestyle change isn’t going to be perfect, I must learn from my past , and proceed forward.  And that’s exactly what I am doing. We all have good days and bad. In our food choices, in our relationships, in our work . Dont carry around the baggage- It’s like our weight, it’s too heavy and takes a strain on our lives. Live each day with intention.  Make sure to take care of yourself first. Know the journey we are all on, is for a lifetime, and we are all worth it!HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE!!!!!!! 

I have decided to change my weigh in day to Fridays. It was a last minute decision, but has taken a lot of the pressure off of me today. I was really stressing this morning, and realize this just isnt healthy to feel like this. A few more days, will give me the opportunity to reach my goal. And isnt flexibility important in life anyway? I ended yesterday approx. 200 cal’s under. I am not trying to do this, and I am not hungry, so I am not too concerned. If this were a daily occurrence, I would have to re-evaluate.  I am realizing that I must move daily- whether it is a short walk, a hike in the woods, a spin on the recumbent bike, or my Yoga dvd. I have to do it. It really isn’t optional.  There are many aspects of weight loss, and cutting calories may help, but it’s not the sole answer. I think I am lazy by nature. Maybe not, maybe just at this size. I don’t know, I just know I don’t enjoy exercising. So, how do I change that mindset? Baby steps! I have read that once exercise is done regularly, if you skip a day, you really miss it. That seems crazy to me today, but I would love to eat my words in a month. I have been counting calories now for 3 weeks. It has gotten easier since I started. I want to hold the thought that this too will happen with exercise. I am going to get on my walking shoes, my pedometer and my Ipod and head outside. I wont go out with a distance, I wont set a goal. My goal today is to just get outside. So I will be back later to update this post.