Spring Fever

Spring fever has officially hit. I was sitting in my room this morning as the sunshine was glowing through my curtains and it actually felt warm. I love how beautiful it is out today. Almost makes you forget it's only the end of January. This little teaser of warm weather is probably a good thing. I am already in the spring cleaning mood so maybe it will prompt me to get things done. Then again with how nice it is, I'd rather be outside enjoying the day. Either way I am so happy it is nice out and not freezing cold with a foot of snow. Next year won't be quite as bad because we'll be more prepared for it. Problem is that when the township doesn't take care of the main road below us, it makes it very difficult for us to get up our driveway. We are going to invest in a riding lawn mower this spring and get a snow plow for it next fall so that we can do the driveway. Our poor neighbor has been taking his snow blower up and down our lane which is kind of silly to watch but I feel badly for him. It's a pretty long distance to use something like that and I don't really think it's meant for such a large job.

So I have been considering what God has in store for me this year. I will admit that I haven't been patient or proactive in the process of losing weight but this year something is different. I really feel in my heart that God has a special assignment or plan for me. I have waited for a long time to focus on myself and my health. I know that neglecting my health has not been beneficial. It is going to take a long, slow process to reverse the damage at this point but well worth the effort. I think about last year and how horrible I felt that I couldn't do the things that I enjoy with the boys. Taking them to the amusement park, swimming to the playground.... all of those thinks become a struggle when you're my size. It's not easy being at this weight. Not for them and certainly not for me. 2 active little boys for this mama, let's just say God had a big plan in that for sure! He knew I needed a reason to get healthy so that I could just keep up with them. Life is just not as enjoyable when you feel miserable. I am only going on 38 years old. I have a lot of years ahead of me and would love to enjoy the 2nd 1/2 of my life without pain in my joints, numbness and the fear of stroke, heart disease or diabetes. God knows I do not want to follow in my precious mama's footsteps. As much as I love and have fond memories of my mom, the health complications she faced due to obesity could have been controlled, if not cured had she just lost the weight. Sounds so simple, doesn't it?

Dieting really isn't the answer. I have had friends lose a tremendous amount of weight on diets. Problem, they all tend to gain it back and then some. It's such a huge process and really does take a lifetime commitment to keep it from creeping back up. I have learned through the years that if you don't change your eating habits, you can diet all day, every day and still gain weight. Well at least that's my case. My problem is exercise. I need to focus more on activity. Now that we have a dog, I do plan on walking everyday that I can when it's nice enough to do so. There, I just said it.... "If" that's another problem. I should just bundle up and get my warm coat on. As much as I hate winter I could still be walking. I have the Leslie Sansone walking dvd. So excuses, no more. I am ready to get this party started! You could always join me in the getting healthy challenge. :) It's more fun when you have a partner!