Working Moms Refuge | Single Moms

Family
Career
Art of Juggling
Single Moms
Dad's Voice
News
Health
Bookshelf
Recipes
Sports Mom

Archives
Contact Us

Discussion Lists
Wisdom of Mothers
Resources

The Heat Is On (update VII)

The good news? It's been almost 30 days since my last update, and 8 additional pounds have disappeared. My total to date ... 42.5 pounds ... almost halfway to my goal!

The bad news? Well, if it's not one thing, it's another. With the summer heat comes picnics, vacations, barbecues, and ... swimsuits. Ahhhh, the challenges of summer!

I'll be honest here. Although I have continued to lose weight, and my eating plan has, for the most part, stayed on track, this exercise thing has really been my downfall. I can think of so many excuses for not doing it: I'm tired. The weather is bad. I had a hard day at work. The floor really needs to be vacuumed. I think I'd rather do three hours of ironing than force myself to put that 20-minute Richard Simmons video on. I am now really beginning to see the results of my resistance to the exercise. Although I look better, I really need to tone up the muscle and get rid of some of the flab. Cutting calories can only do so much, and like it or not, I've got to start exercising regularly. I've been through this battle before, and know that the hardest part is just getting started. I'll get there!

On a personal note, when I started this process, I really didn't know if I would be successful, but I had the desire to be successful. I also had accountability to each of you who read this column, which has been invaluable to me. If you read my diary and have been thinking about changing your eating program but are afraid you won't be successful, give it a try anyway. I can guarantee you won't be successful if you don't. And to all of you who have joined me on this journey, congratulations, and thank you so much for your support.

One more challenge in the coming weeks: vacation. I am flying home for a week and a half, and am concerned about falling into old eating habits. My family has some of the best cooks, and there is never a shortage of goodies. I doubt I will lose weight while I am there, but I am setting a goal of not gaining. I'm allowing myself a bit of a break in hopes of not sabotaging myself.