Oh, the Weight of it all

No, I'm not talking about the economy (really tired of that word these days), the gas prices (sick of that too), or my own personal burdens (don't we all have at least one?). I'm talking about weight, as in body mass.
What a good time to bring it up, huh? Well, it's always a good time to improve my health. I have spent time thinking about it, praying about it, and working up a plan, and now it is put into action. I ask myself this question...Do you want to go to bed hungry, or wake up fat? Hmm....puts those late night snacks to rest, don't you think?
My elliptical and I have grown rather close. I am pretty fond of his squeaks as he whips my shapeless body into something recognizable. I love celery. Yes, I really do. I drank 7 bottles of water yesterday. Did you know how many calories are burned by running back and forth to the bathroom all day....and night, in my case!
I don't believe in deprivation at all. I can have all the chips and salsa I want. I just choose when. It no longer chooses me. I hate exercise, make no mistake. However, I love the way I feel after I'm done, and for that it is worth the time and pain. I am not much of a water drinker either, but I'm learning. I will enjoy the occasional Diet Dr. Pepper, because according to the commercials, it tastes just like an ice cream cone. Tee hee. With food commercials every 5 minutes, who needs enemies, right?
I am willing to overcome the obstacles of a healthy lifestyle in order to become more energetic and calm. Obstacles? Of course. Every decision has a cost! You may have a tough time paying for the extra fresh fruit and vegetables it requires. Good food costs more, in some cases. You may have a picky eater (thankfully, I don't) in your house, and you have a hard time preparing healthy meals. You may have a tough work schedule, or kids underfoot. I know, I've dealt with those. Can everyone afford to go to the gym? Weight Watchers? Can everyone go out and get great equipment? Not in most cases. However, it's when we decide that those things aren't going to stop us that we finally get in control. I don't need a personal trainer or a nutritionist to help me out. It would be a bonus, of course, but I don't have those resources. I only have me. This body can move anywhere. I can run up and down stairs, I can park a mile away, I can jog in place, do sit ups in my living room. Any little bit is better than none.
I believe exercise does many beneficial things, but when I was at it 5 days a week, I had a great outlook, a bunch of self-confidence, energy to keep up with my kids, and no anxiety. As I face each day, I try to remember what that felt like and ask myself if that's what I want for today.
If weight management is on your list of things to do, I encourage you to just jump in and start making one small change toward reaching your goal. Make room for mistakes, but don't repeat them the next day!