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A to-do list for the day, a to-do list for the week, and a grocery list.

Today marks the first day that I'm starting off motivated about my resolutions. Up first: gym workout. Next, grocery store. Then home to finish cleaning the rest of the living room.

Yesterday I ended up not going to the gym like I said I would. In a breathy, excuse-making voice: Carlton got home, we played with the pup for a while, and I just started picking up the living room until Carlton suddenly turned on me. He got hungry really quick last night and I didn't have anything prepared, or even thawed. A quick trip to Chik-fil-a in an uncomfortably silent car with a hungry man driving (careful to not breathe the wrong way or make any eye contact!) soon made everything better. And as I opened the mayonnaise packet to squirt onto my sandwich, I remembered that I had wanted to make it to the gym. Eh, shrug shoulders, go about business with mayo. And fries in the new Chik-fil-a Sauce. Mmmm. And, ahhhhhhhhhh, what a refreshing Coke to wash it all down. I'm really gonna need this workout today!

I'm really going to get back into the grove of buying things that are good for us at the grocery store. No more croissants as dinner sides, no more cookies, and absolutely no more kettle cooked chips, Carlton!!!

I've been getting together a list of grocery store items to pick up before I head to the gym... straight from there to the grocery store, and then home to unpack before a light lunch at Paradise Bakery with The Hubster. I follow a few knitting blogs, a few sewing blogs, and a few cooking blogs in addition to some very interesting friends and family... and I found one blog that perks my interest just about every post she makes. The Sisters Dish is a great place to look to when you might be stumped or in a tight spot about dinner... maybe I should have looked there last night! She makes a lot of meals straight from the crock pot, which is nice, since I've only used mine once or twice since we got married. And the recipes are rich and full of ingredients that add flavor and color to any mundane meal. Since my figure proves to me and the rest of the world that I love rich-tasting foods, I'm ready to try a recipe or two. A lot of things can be turned into a healthier version, too. I think today I'll try this out, and use some of that chicken to make this recipe. Then the rest of the chicken can be used for other meals throughout the week... on a yummy caesar salad, on a crusty roll with some cheese, you know... something like that.

I'll write a review after Mr. Picky eats tonight and let you know how it was, and re-write her recipe with my own subsitutions, aversions, and additions.

My #1 and #2 Resolutions

If you didn't watch Oprah's Day 1 of her "Best Life Week" today with Bob Greene, you should definitely watch it now. Seeing Oprah so disappointed and angry and upset with herself because of her daily habits, including eating and exercising issues, really hit home for me. I must admit, hearing Oprah admit without a blink, hesitation, or cringe that she was over 200 pounds really helped. There's a zest in her attitude about working out. Weight resistance and cardio training are a 6-days-a-week part of her life, as they really should be for all of us. Oprah worked out in front of the camera, telling a detailed list of her daily workout schedule. She was sweating and out of breath and really working! And I was actually watching her, thinking to myself, "I do more cardio and weights than she's doing. In better form than that!" Why am I not proud of myself for being better than Oprah at something that I don't even consider myself good at??? I really should get back into the gym. ASAP. As in, tonight. And be proud of myself for being there. The Wii Fit is on its way via Amazon.com, but it shouldn't be my entire work-out plan. The yoga will be a beautiful way of finishing up my gym workout though! Come home all sweaty from weights to stretch, balance, and breathe my way into a healthy 2009.

It was truly a motivational show, and if you're having image issues with yourself, if you've made a resolution to move towards being healthier and more active person in 2009, this is an episode that will help you get started.

So, I encountered an honest mirror this morning....

I totally abused my body this morning at the gym. I went in this morning in a so-so mood. I almost didn't go in at all. Since I haven't worked out in about two months, it's like I haven't worked out in two years. And that's what my body was thinking this morning... lets just take a break from it today!!! I trudged out the door, and into the gym, and on into the locker room to leave my bag/keys in a locker before my workout. Then I looked at myself in the very, very honest locker room mirrors.

Eww.

Jiggles here, rolls there, bulges everywhere! But hey, instead of discouraging me, I was encouraged to go out into the gym and work to get rid of it all. I pumped hand weights while I warmed up on the treadmill for 10 minutes, and then went on to the weight machines.

Biceps, triceps, back. Repeat. Repeat. 20 reps each.
("Cruise in May!" I tell myself.)

Butt, inner thighs, outter thighs. Repeat. Repeat. 20 reps each.
("Cruise in May!" I tell myself.)

Top thigh, back thigh, lunges (my enemy!!!). Repeat. Repeat. 20 reps each.
("Cruise in May!" I tell myself.)

Shoulders, tummy, calves. Repeat. Repeat. 20 reps each.
("CRUISE IN MAY!!!" I scream to myself as beads of sweat drip down my back and forehead.)

Progress: Since I started just this Monday, I have dropped 1.8 pounds. Kinda makes a girl wonder why the HECK I don't go in every day of my life if I get results like this!!! Hopefully my personal trainer won't be too hard on me next Tuesday morning.