Exercise? What is that?

I know that exercise is an integral part of any weight loss program, but why can't I make myself begin? I have a basement full of exercise equipment including a treadmill, elliptical machine, recumbent bike, full weight set and a Total Gym. You would think that having my own personal gym in my basement would make it easy to exercise, but that has not been the case. The equipment just sits there collecting dust while I come up with excuse after excuse of why I can't exercise today. Here are all of the excuses that I come up with and why they aren't viable excuses:

1- I'm too tired = Of course I'm tired, I am 70+ pounds overweight and carrying that extra weight around everyday is making me more tired than I should be, but exercise would help me lose the weight faster and give me more energy.

2- I'm too busy = I'm not too busy, I'm just bad at prioritizing my schedule. I know plenty of people with busier lives than me, but they always find time to exercise.

3- My back hurts = Again, that 70+ extra pounds are to blame. My back will start feeling better once I lose weight, and I need to exercise to make that happen.

4- I really want to watch this television show = I have a television right next to all of the exercise equipment and watching the show while I exercise would make the time go by faster.

5- I would rather spend time with my husband = He really could benefit from exercise too, so we should go for a walk together.

6- I'll start exercising once I lose more weight = I'd lose weight faster if I would start exercising right now.

7- I'll start exercising once I purchase that new piece of equipment or that new exercise video = I already have an arsenal of exercise equipment to use.

8- I can't exercise in the morning because I'm not a morning person = This one is easy, I need to exercise at night.

9- I can't exercise after I get home from work because I need to cook dinner = I need to prepare my meals in advance and make dinner preparation much easier and faster.

As you can see, I am great at coming up with excuses to prevent me from exercising, but it's time to get real. No more excuses! Exercise, here I come!

Super Bowl = Super Yucky

Ok, so I fell of the wagon today. Actually, it was more like I fell of the wagon, the wagon rolled over me, and then I was hit by another passing wagon. I just didn't have the willpower to resist all of the yummy Super Bowl food, and in the end I ate WAY too much junk food.

Now last Super Bowl I also ate way too much, but that was just the beginning of the binge that I went on. I used it as an excuse to eat crap for the next few weeks, but this year is going to be different. I think that my body might be getting used to eating better food because I feel miserable after eating all of that junk food. I can feel a layer of grease on my tongue and my stomach is churning, and you know what? I don't want to feel like this anymore! My body deserves better!

Tomorrow morning I am going to wait for the wagon, and I am going to jump on with full force. This time I am find a seat and going to buckle myself in, so I don't fall off again.

The Window Doesn't Lie

Each morning I endure a barbaric process which I have dubbed the “Morning Mirror Ritual,” and today was going to be no exception. I began the ritual by choosing my daily wardrobe from my dwindling selection of pants—currently 2 pair that fit without fear of busting a seam. I then carefully selected a shirt, that if draped properly, would hopefully camouflage the portion of my stomach that insists on hanging over the top of my pants.

Once I was outfitted in my clothes, I proceeded to the bathroom to present my newly outfitted body to the mirror and hopefully gain acceptance. Some mornings it takes me twenty minutes to pick out an outfit that doesn't leave me wanting to cry. As I stepped in front of the mirror, I stood up straight and turned slightly to the side to catch a glimpse of my rear. The reflection that appeared in the mirror did not look too bad, and at that moment I thought that I sure don't look like I weight 214 pounds. I must carry it well. As I left for work, I was feeling pretty good about myself.

Fast forward to lunch. I left the office to run a couple of errands and also to take a break from the monotony of the job. As I exited the bank and strolled down the street to the bookstore, I caught a glimpse of a “plump” woman in the window of a local clothing store. The woman was slightly hunched over and her shirt had ridden up revealing a large, jolly belly protruding from her pants. It took me a few moments to realize that the overweight woman was my reflection, and I could no longer deny that I had the body shape of PacMan.

Boy, did I catch myself off guard. Had I have known that I would be viewing myself in that window, I would have stood up straight, sucked in my stomach and pulled my shirt down, but then I wouldn't have seen the real me. In the past, I would have been depressed by such an image, but now I am actually inspired by the reflection of myself. The image will remain etched in my memory as a reminder and a motivation to stay with this journey.