Can you give yourself 3 weeks? Just 3 weeks...

Did you exercise today?

It's almost the first day of May. It's time for a new beginning, or a new start, or a new motivation. Whether you are a regular exerciser, a weekend warrior, a fair weather exerciser, or a non-exerciser...we can all use a new beginning. Let's face it...we're not getting any younger. Unless you are already aware of your diet and exercise needs, we're also not getting any healthier. Many of you may be like me and have high cholestrol, or are pre-diabetic. What are we doing about it?

I have gained and lost weight a handful of times in the past. I put the weight on, and then I take it off, and then I regain it once again. Has this happened to you? Yes, diet plans do work...Weight Watchers is effective as are several other plans. The problem for me, is that once the weight is off, I am ready to eat again! I'm hungry by the time I've completed the plan!

So, my new plan is not to worry about weight and food right now. Right now, I need to focus on establishing a new habit. One new habit...just one...because long term good health isn't about losing weight quickly, or exercising madly for a few months, just to end up hungry, tired, and uninspired. If we want to prolong our lives, we need to make proactive choices, and stick with it! Do you want to make any changes in your lifestyle?

Would you like to join me in making a change? I'd love to encourage you in your journey. I won't ask you to tell us how much you weigh, or ask you to comment every day, or to do anything at all. Just think about a change you may want to make and let me know if you would like to commit to it for 3 weeks. It could be to exercise daily, or cut down on sweets or alcohol, or to eat two more servings of vegetables each day. It could be anything that you feel is a need in your life that would lead to a healthier lifestyle.

I am going to commit to exercising daily for 3 weeks. I'd like to move 2 miles a day. Period. It doesn't matter if I walk it, jog it, bike it, run it, skip it, or crawl it...it doesn't matter if it is at 5 a.m. or 10 p.m. BUT I will commit to moving my body 2 miles a day!

At the end of 3 weeks, let's touch base...was a gradual change easy? How do we feel physically after 3 weeks? Is it a change worth continuing? If so, can we commit to adding one more positive change to our lifestyle? I'm not going to promise you I will nix chocolate from my diet, or stop eating cookies...but I will commit to moving 2 miles a day,for 3 weeks...no matter what.

What happens if you skip a day? Am I going to say something? Am I going to tell on you? No! There is no diet police here...no 20 lashings with a wet noodle...no ridicule...just keep track. Does this sound too loose, or too lacking in accountability? Perhaps. Here's my rationale. For a change to stick...we need to do it for ourselves...not for our families, not for the doctor that says we need to change, or to fit into a new bathing suit. We need to make a change for ourselves, and for ourselves only. Because if it is for any other reason...for any other intention, we will fail. Maybe not right away, maybe not for weeks or months, but ultimately, making changes for someone else is not going to lead to lifelong success.

I love to send "snail mail!" There is nothing like a handwritten note and a few stickers to brighten the day. May I send you some snail mail along the way during our 3 week commitment? If so, e-mail me your address to apple926@q.com.

I started exercising last week, but will start a new chapter today...today is Day 1. You don't have to do a thing, but if you choose to, "Hooray!" Let's get started!