Well, I am both please and disappointed with myself this past week.  Let’s get the disappointed part out of the way so we can end this thing on a positive note as we begin both a new week and a new month.

 First of all, I weighted 167.6 this morning, which is a 2.4 pound gain from last Monday.  This is a 4.4 pound loss since I started the diet on December 26^th, but I had hoped for more.  And I think I’m more disappointed because I have really increased my walking this past two weeks.  Here is my steps chart for the month of January:

So, going into February, I’m going to have to be more diligent on the portion control part.  Really, I thought it would be the exercise part I would struggle with the most, but I guess my eating is all out of control as well.  Wow!  It really is a two-part process to lose weight – Eat Less and Exercise More.  I will begin planning what I’m going to eat each day and stick to it.  No more grabbing whatever is easy and available.  I quit doing the food diary after losing 2.2 pounds in one week, and that was a mistake.  So, back to the food diary I go, and this time I will not quit.  I will go by the book and monitor my intake as well as my output.

 Also, I am making it a goal to walk 10,000+ steps every day for the month of February.  I encourage and challenge you to join me in this and I challenge you to beat me in total number of steps walked for the month.  This isn’t so much about me as it is about all of us.  As in all of US – with over 1/3 of the people officially in the obese range, our country is in big trouble.  No wonder our health care costs are so high.

 I understand Michelle Obama is making it a priority to end obesity in children, and I applaud this loudly, but this is for the next generation.  I want to help our generation – those of us who are adults now, to become fit, healthy and live longer, more productive lives.  Sitting on the couch, eating chips, cookies and pizza, watching TV and/or playing video games is not a productive life.  Getting out, hiking, volunteering, playing, creating, working, supporting – that is a productive life.  And this will make not only our country, but our world, a better place for the future generation that Mrs. Obama is helping.  We need to lead by example and stop the “Do as I say, not as I do” tactic.

 So, come on, join the club, and let’s take our first steps together to improve our lives and, ultimately, the lives of those around us. US for all of us!  10,000 Step Club for US!