I am thinking that perhaps I need a serenity prayer. Not the usual one though. More like a little strength to not over-indulge on the cruise this weekend. Do they have one of those?

Every time I mention the Disney cruise I am going on, most people say “Oh you will love the food” or “Wait until you see all of the food.”

It’s making me nervous. Why isn’t anyone saying “Wait until you see that fitness center” or “You will be surprised at how great a late night walk feels.” Those are the kind of things I want to hear. Those are the kind of things I need to hear.

I really have checked out the fitness facilities online and looked at the track on one of the decks. I looked at all of the activities available and realized that this is an amazing opportunity. This should be really fun. I am really looking forward to it.

Everyone in my family is a little sick right now so I am feeling a little guilt about even getting away for a few days. But I am a little sick too so I figure that it all evens out. I have almost lost my voice.

I think that it is that change in the weather thing we have going on here in Georgia. It is getting a little colder. I may have to find my winter jacket. Well, actually it is more like a heavy sweater. I don’t really own a winter jacket.

I went to an event last night and have another event tonight. As usual, I have overscheduled the heck out of myself. So I am and always will be running around like a chicken with my head cut off.

Time to get a little sleep.

Gosh, this thing is hard.

This weight loss and lifestyle change. All day I rush, rush, rush around to do all of the things that I need to do. Well I do most of the things that I need to do. There simply isn’t enough time to do all of the things that I need to do. Inevitably a few things get pushed to the next day. It happens. These are the same things that then get pushed to the day after that.

Before Mamavation, most of the time it was exercise. Time for myself. The time to make food which allows me to make healthier choices. A little reflection each day on how the day was.

Nowadays, I am actually trying much harder to fit these things into each day rather than pushing them off another day. So far so good although there are days when I slip up. When it is so easy to revert back to old habits. Creating new habits is hard work. Exercise is hard work. Weight loss is hard work.

Every day it seems to get a little easier. All of these changes become…well a habits. My life is changing everyday. For the better.

There are still struggles. Very often it is the end of the day and all I want to do is veg out in front of the tv. Or play on the Internet. Tweet people. Be witty. But instead, I exercise. I plan my food for the next day. I sit back and think, “I am freakin’ doing it! YEAH!”

I was one of those people for a long time who just waited for tomorrow. Put off so many things because I thought that it was not worth the effort. Or I didn’t have the energy. I am here to tell you that it is. It is worth the effort.If I can do this, anyone can.

Until next week…

A special thanks to:

@EarthFootwear, the people who are toning my legs with their fabulous shoes,
EA Sports Active, the program that is causing me to “feel the burn on pretty much a daily basis,”
and the Smooth Fitness people who will soon be invading my living room!

It has been a good but trying 12 days so far. I have lost over 12 pounds from the time that I first applied to Mamavation. I am excited. I feel better (for the most part) My watch and ring are a little loose. Woo hoo!

I am also thrilled for Alyssa who is doing very well. I like having two moms in Mamavation. It doesn’t at all feel like a competition but it feels as if we are working together. I get her struggles. I am sure that she gets mine.

I have been working hard to get the nutrition plan down but I still have to refer to it everyday. My next step is to change more of my family dynamic. It seems that I only see the rest of my family around food. We meet for dinner. We go out for birthdays. Aren’t other families like this? I am not sure what else to do with my extended family. I will have to think on that one. Sad isn’t it?

I am feeling pretty down today and I am thinking that it is because the change in the weather. Not exactly sure. Maybe S.A.D. I will have to make certain that I take my depression medication at the same time on a daily basis and not skip a day (I tend to forget at least once or twice a week).

I work from home and my husband works long hours. Very often the only adult interaction that I have during the day is the wave to the carpool lady or with the people on the tv. It is true! Stand outside my house one day and you may here me yelling at the television or rather the people on it.

My goal for the next week is to get to the gym. We joined the Y over two years ago and I have not worked out there once. If I can lay it all out there for you guys, I should be able to do it to go to the gym. They even have FREE childcare. I think that just the act of getting out of the house will make me feel a little better.

Exercise was a total struggle today because of my attitude. I know that it’s me. I did it but I wasn’t really that into it. I did not work as hard as I could have.

I guess what I am most annoyed about is that I should have told you guys today. I am horrible about asking for help. It is so easy just to slide back under the covers and not see the outside world.

I should have jumped on Twitter and said the words: “I NEED HELP. I need some love today. Feeling down.” But I didn’t do that. This won’t happen again.

Tomorrow is another day and I am determined to wake up with a better attitude. Or at least drink a ton of caffeine.

P.S. If you guys are not wearing @EarthFootwear yet, you seriously should be. And EA Sports Active?? Get it.

So I have almost made it through the first week. I have made some changes and still need to make other changes. But I am on my way.

I am feeling a little better although a little run down. While that may sound strange, it is because it feels strange. I am tired but underneath it I feel good. I think that I feel good because I know that I making positive changes. I know that I am changing my life.

For the first time in a long time, I feel that I have an amazing support system. UNBELIEVABLE SUPPORT SYSTEM. Part of it the Mamavation team. But the other are friends. These are people that I asked for support. I have a hard time asking people for anything, least of all for help to change my life. That’s a big favor. That’s a lot to ask.

I am completely humbled and thankful to those who said yes (no one said no, by the way). I could NEVER do this without you guys. NEVER. Can I say NEVER one more time?

My family is involved. My kids and my husband are cheering me on. That is soooo cool! Isn’t it? My six year old son is my biggest fan and the best coach. Even the baby claps for me when I finish exercising. What more could a girl want than her very own cheer squad?

Best of all, I am having fun. For the most part. I won’t lie to you and tell you that an hour of exercise each day is fun. It’s not but it’s necessary. And the rewards WILL be fun.

Keep coming back. Check on me. Motivate me. I could use it. And in turn, I will lay it all there. The ups. The downs. The good. The bad. Everything. You want to know what it’s like to change your life? Watch me do it.

A Special Thanks to Earth Footwear (@EarthFootwear) and EA Sports  Active (#easactive) for sponsoring Mamavation. You guys ROCK!!

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