It's time, and I can't put it off any longer.

So I've made a goal for myself. I need to get myself into shape. And quickly. Not in a hurried unhealthy way, but not take 5 years either. I owe my mom $500. She said if I lost a good amount of weight by the time we head back to Austria next summer, I don't have to pay her back. While I don't enjoy hearing my mother comment on my weight, I could really use the $500! I've got to get started NOW. It is going to be hard, but I've done it before and so I KNOW I can do it again. And this is weird, but it will work: The first part of this has to do with the time my friend Cerine will be in California/New Zealand/Australia -which is for 5 weeks. She leaves this Wednesday 28 October. She will be back 1 December. My plan is to follow a healthy eating plan (and get used to it so I can do it for life!) and get my exercise in at least 5 times a week. I am using Cerine's trip as a timeline because she is one of the most supportive people in my life. (She's also been one of my BFFs for 19 years- I should think she would be!) My two exceptions for the eating plan? Halloween and Thanksgiving. I'm human and let's face it- those are two holidays centered around food (yes, Halloween is a holiday full of junk!! :) ) . I still plan to work out those days- I always jog on Thanksgiving. It's a long-standing tradition! The second part is from 1 December to Christmas Eve. I want to prove to myself that I CAN eat healthfully during the Christmas season but occasionally treat myself (again- that whole human thing!).

I need all the support I can get. I'm trying to decide if I should keep a food and exercise diary on here. Maybe by using a public forum such as this will inspire me and keep my honest.

Hell- today I was watching -on the NBC sports channel- an 80 year old man finish the Hawaii Ironman triathlon. If HE can do that, then CERTAINLY I CAN lose this weight and become healthy! Why do I resist so much? Do I think my favorite pizzas and deserts will be gone forever if I don't eat them so much? Or is it that I don't want guys hitting on me because I'm tired of relationships and being fat is a great way to keep them away? (Well, that IS working, but I am very unhealthy as a result! Besides- I can be cold and distant if I need be- I'm great at that!) Anyhoo- that's a topic for another time.

Think about me, send me good thoughts and tons of encouragement, and I'll post a picture on December 1.

I'll even ask Cerine to take it.