Moriah FAIL

Whatever. Dr. B says that I shouldn't self flagellate, but let's be honest I have not lost weight in FOREVER! On the bright side, I did not cancel my appointment with Dr. B this am, I went and was honest. Damn you, honesty!!!

Ok, I am done. Let's try this again. Fact, I haven't lost weight in forever! Bright side? I haven't gained anything back. Apparently that's a really big (no pun intended!) accomplishment. I have been unsuccessfully plodding along for the last few months, and at my last appointment Dr. B decided to put me on metformin (or something like that). He believes that I am insulin resistant (NO, I do NOT have diabetes). At the time (roughly 6 weeks ago), I was exercising (30 mins a day on the treadmill, 5 times a week) and eating reasonably well. Since then, life has happened to me. I have been stressed and well, all sorts of fun things, and out went the exercise, and in came the chocolate. So here I sit with a total weight loss of 60 lbs. How depressing. And what does he say to me? At least you haven't gained any back? You have just been hovering at this weight this WHOLE time??? Fine. Small victories. But this one sucks. And look, I am failing at weightloss WITH a surgery. Siiiiiiigghhhhhh! I know, I am not suppose to look at it that way, but I can't help it.

Right, pity party over. Mostly. Honestly, I can't make any promises. I might slip right back into that party... but for now, here is the revised plan. Dr. B made me commit to two things. Food diary: write down everything that you put in your mouth (eeewww gross Ginger! Stop it!) and commit to getting back on the treadmill. Dr. B, had me commit to starting with 20 mins four times this week and increasing back up to 30 mins 5 times a week.

Day one? I have written everything down for the day (except the two cheetos I just ate - and god knows I want to consume the rest of the bag, but won't) and just finished my 20 mins on the treadmill.

That's right treadmill! Moriah vs. the Treadmill is baaaaaack! and I refuse to lose this time.

Side bar of motivation: I went to Sudbury for the weekend for a family function. I saw my fabulous cousins, aunts and uncles. Some of whom I hadn't seen in forever. It was wonderful. So we are at my cousin's house for the evening (she graciously opened her home to the whole family) and I was chatting with her sister. I asked my cousin why her sister did not eat cheese and she says to me: "Do you see that ass?" and I answer: "Yes." (might I just point out that this woman has a spectacular body, but she works incredibly hard to maintain it). To which she replies: "That's why". She also follows that up with something that really struck me. She said: "It's all about discipline". Which, I know. I mean duh, of course it's all about discipline, but it really struck me right then and there. Nobody gets a body like that without intense work. So if I want anything even remotely close to that, heck just anything better than what I have, I will have to work my ... ass off.

Anyways, once again I am psyching myself up. I will do this. I will continue to be successful. OMG I have officially lost it. I am doing positive affirmations in a fucking blog! God I need to lose weight ASAP!!! I am doing POSITIVE AFFIRMATIONS in a BLOG!!!

Give me strength. And while we are at it, willpower. Ok, that's all for now...

Wow, I am such a liar! I thought I would take a picture of me today. Let's see what I can do. What changes I bring about over the next little while.

It's 50 degrees outside, so I must be exercising!

Well it's been a while since I last posted. I worry about repeating myself and not having anything to say, but...

Since last we spoke, I bought a new wardrobe 'cause I was heading off to Italy! While doing so, I bought my size 18 clothing article! It has begun. I took a whole bunch of pictures so I could show you, then never posted them (ok, only 4 outfits). So here they are:

The one with the yellow shirt... size 18 jeans. Yeah, that's right. Anyways, as I was saying, since last we spoke... I actually went to Italy, the land of milk and honey. Ok, not milk and honey, gelato and wine (more specifically Presecco). Which is essentially what I consumed (and survived off of) while I was there. I learnt that heat and my body are not friends. I swell (inside) and it prevents me from being able to eat real food; especially in a country where they don't believe in vegetables and only eat pasta and bread products (namely pizza). If you are just tuning in to this show, Moriah post lap-band and starches do NOT get along. They are a recipe for blocking and subsequently puking. So gelato and wine it was! When I got back, I had lost 2 lbs!!! But that last all of 3 days or something like that. I then gained 6 lbs immediately! What was that??? I actually don't know. I have been shopping since I came back, and I have fit into other pants that were a size 18. Not all size 18, mind you, but a few. So i think it might be water retention. But I will just go back to "who knows".

What else...hmm. Oh yes. I seem to be a sucker for punishment. But you probably already knew that, didn't you? As you may recall, I bough a treadmill after Christmas, used it for a bit then got sick. Then there was a series of unfortunate... incidents. I was sick, I had gallstones, I had gallbladder surgery (it was removed), I had strepthroat, and I had bronchitis (which was diagnosed the day before I left for Italy). As you can imagine, the one thing I did not have was a robust, routine, exercise regiment (say that 10 times, fast). I am still slowly but surely loosing weight, so what do I care. YES I should be exercising. NO, I am not and perfectly happy about it. But someone at work decided to do a "Biggest Loser" contest at work. So I think, maybe I should join; this just might be the motivation I  need to take this to another level. However they also had a rule that excluded anyone who had had weight-loss surgery from participating... and yes I did feel slightly targeted by this. So my wonderful friend Kelly says, screw 'em! We will do our own "Biggest Loser". And I somehow think this is a good thing. Now, so far nothing about this story is terribly scary, right? But what you don't know is that our Program Assistant (who happens to be this beautiful, slim, great dressing, YOUNG woman) thinks that this is a great idea. She has been wanting to get "moving", and has been needing motivation too. Again, doesn't seem horrible, but you haven't met her. She is TERRIFYING. I will post a picture. You will see!!! Anyways, she jumps on the bandwagon and next thing I know, Michelle and I have decided to walk together 3 times a week at lunch - 30 minute walks. Oh, did I mention that Kelly is no where to be seen? Yeah that's right. Brilliant idea, zero participation. Anyways, so today, when it was 38 degrees out (with the humidex), Michelle is all like "let's do this" and "I am getting changed now"! So I begrudgingly got ready. She shows up in a full on workout outfit! I only changed my t-shirt and put some sneakers on... I should have realized at that point that I was in trouble. Off we go. We walk from my building to Wellington, then veer off and following this weird little street down towards the river, but don't actually find the river. Then there are these stairs in the woods and down we go, only to pop out on the path by the river. Eureka! Michelle is happy. If Michelle is happy, we're all happy, so there we go. My only stipulation is "Just no stairs, ok Michelle". We follow the path towards the market, and I am getting nervous. I mean, all I can see is this GINORMOUS wall-like hillside and a river. I am getting slightly nervous that there will be no escaping stairs. Onward we meander, when we find ourselves at the locks. Oh, how loverly. NOT. This means a serious climb up a lovely incline to get back up to street level and I am feeling slightly pooped. So with the subtlety of a cow stampede, I suggest that we take this opportunity to enjoy the beauty of the locks. Michelle is all for it... so she slows the pace. No stopping. We make it to the top of this loverly incline, only to be confronted by a shitload of stairs. I start to cry. Inside. Where it counts. Michelle? She powers on. Apparently we don't believe in breathers - or stopping. Ever. I climb the stairs and by the time I reach the top, I can't make my lungs breath in enough air to supply the oxygen my body needs. I start to panic slightly (I haven't brought my asthma pump and it is incredibly humid outside). BUt I don't panic. I master it, and we walk on. There is no stopping. We slow down, but we don't stop. Eventually I am able to suck in the desperately needed gulps of air and realize that I am now able to ever so slightly increase the pace again. I want you to know that I made it back to the building but just barely. I want to tell you that it seems I only really get into exercise when it's fifty bazillion degrees outside (for the next few days it is supposed to be 44 and 42 degrees with the humidity). I tried to tell Michelle that we would only go twice this week, ease into it as it's our first week, and she told me she was not happy (I pointed out that she could walk without me as well). But all that said, I am back into exercise, and the only way I know it's for real? I just came back from shopping. I just bought some capri yoga pants and a couple of t-shirts to walk in. I can't even express to you how sweaty I was.

At this point in time, I would love to be able to keep on telling you stories of the last 3 months. My revelations and adventures, but I really did injure something in my inner thigh (possibly groin area) and need to go stretch it out. I also need to go build up some strength. Michelle wants to walk again. Tomorrow. I definitely need to show you her picture.

Until the next time, mes amis!

Two weeks later

Two weeks ago I had my first fill in the last year. How did that work out you may wonder? Well for the first week I wasn't even sure he had filled me. I could still eat about the same amount I was eating pre-fill, maybe a smidge less. Nothing changed, all is well, the worst side effect I suffered was that my protein shake and grande latte that morning made me fell quite full. What the heck is going on? Did he do anything? Did I pay $50 to not have anything done? Weird. This was definitely weird.

Then my period finished, and everything changed. It was weird, one day I can eat like I have been the last few months, the next day I am blocking at every solid meal I consume. I went roughly 36 hours without any real food, because I blocked and threw-up my dinner, had my protein shake and coffee, then blocked and threw up my lunch. By dinner I thought I was going to die. Ok, maybe not die, but I was exhausted and my head was pounding so badly I couldn't even see straight, let alone think. I managed to get soup in without any issues and as I was eating I could feel myself getting better. My body was definetly pissed about the lack of nutrition. Suddenly I can feel the fill; the restriction is there. My portions have decreased, and eating meals is back to a minimum 45 minute endeavor (if I don't want to block), and best of all, I am loosing weight. Actually watching as the numbers go down on my scale!!! Ok, I should be so excited about that; it's not about the numbers but how your clothes is fitting, right? Whateves! The numbers are moving!!!

Well that is it for now. I am eating slowly, cautiously and loosing weight. What more can a girl ask for?

I will post pictures soon as the last photo is like, 4 or 5 months old.

I'm full...

Literally, well maybe not literally, but I did get my first fill this morning in a year. Last time I got a fill? March 7, 2011. Weird, right? It just worked out that way. I would have done it last appointment, but I had to cancel the last appointment due to a sudden and unforeseen trip to VEGAS!! Now that's good times, but not the reason for the story.

I survived dinner. I feel like I should have some kind of support group, like an alcoholic or something for this kind of event. "Hello, my name is Moriah and I survived dinner."

It all goes back to finally committing to getting a fill done. I set a date and excitedly await it's arrival. I know that I need something. Weight loss has come to a serious crawl. And though my MD says that I need both exercise and diet, the exercise is not going super well (damn gallstones!).  I am psyched for this fill, but ever so slightly afraid. The last time I had a fill, it took me almost 8 months to adjust and almost a full year to make it to a point where I can eat almost normally; well the new normal for me anyways. So needless to say I was slightly...nervous. But then my fabulous cousin calls me and says she will be in town and we make dinner plans. Guess what night we make plans for??? Anyone? Yes, that's right. The evening of the day I have my adjustment. Let me just say that I was searching for a restaurant that had amazing soups AND great food. Challenging at best, btw.

So I manage to spend the day without blocking. I have a protein shake for breaky, followed by my am coffee, only I realize that I can't drink them so closely together now (cause I am freakin' full). I have a yop around 11 and 1/2 a can of pea soup for lunch. Super exciting part about lunch? I manage to eat 5 soda crackers while eating my soup!!! Unheard of! So I am feeling confident about my upcoming dinner. But, let's be honest. I haven't really tested myself yet; I haven't even managed to eat a solid thing yet. 

Restaurant time. Jules and I meet up, solve world hunger AND manage to have a great dinner. Best part about dinner? I didn't puke!!! Saddest, but totes ok, part about dinner? Took me an hour to eat two crab cakes and a scallop (thanks for sharing Chris). Ok, best part #2 about dinner? Bill came to just over $16! LOL!!! Seriously, if you want to lose weight and save money, just get the lap band! It's multipurposed.


I definetely have not found the answer. I need to be careful. Take my time when I eat, or suffer the consequences. Hopefully I survive tomorrow, as I am having leftover spaghetti (Guy and the girls had it for dinner).







Things I want to mention:

• For the first time in... well years, I weigh less than my husband!
• I am once again excited and hopeful about this whole thing - I just might begin to lose weight with some... speed?
• I really need to write down my questions for the MD (as I still have no idea if it's normal to get random pain where my port is located - I am guessing it's because I am losing weight and my body is changing, but honestly? Who knows).

Thoughts? Comments? You know where to find me...

The treadmill and I - A girl's story.

Well, still working on my chocolate issues. I have made the decision not to buy chocolate. So far so good. I think I have gone 3 or four days now. Can't remember exactly. It came close yesterday, it was 7, I hadn't had dinner and we walked by the cutest Aero egg ever! It sooooo wanted me to purchase and consume it. I had it in my hand, walked it to the cash... but at the very last minute left it. All because the hubby was strong and didn't want one either. YAY for hubbies! I should mention that this does not mean that I have not eaten chocolate. There may be a bit of chocolate lying around the house (but not much, trust me!).

I would like to mention that I have not kept a food journal since my last post. I keep intending to do this, but never seem to get around to it. I will endeavor to do so. I have booked an appointment for March 5 to have an fill done, so I would like to go in armed with some good intel.

As for exercise, well what can I say. I was doing pretty good before my Vegas trip (we left Jan 29 and came back Feb 2). While in Vegas, I walked so much I lost weight (only 3 lbs but still!!!). However, I have been fighting this cold that has been hanging out in my lungs since before Christmas. And the week we got back from Vegas, my brand new hacking cough really came out to play. I could barely breath without coughing let alone workout. So I have been out of commission since then. I am still coughing, but soooo much better. I was telling the hubby that I felt a lot better and would get back to it this week, but I didn't quite manage. I was still coughing quite a bit and super busy. However, this evening I came downstairs and was getting ready to get all comfy on the couch when it hit me that tonight I had time to get back to it! I went back upstairs and preemptively dosed up the Ventolin. Back downstairs, turned on Gray's and started walking. I wasn't able to go as fast as the program so I slowed down a tiny bit after 10 mins and managed a 20 minute walk. I'm back!

Lastly, I finally have an appointment to see a surgeon re the gallstones (Feb 24)!!! FINALLY! The week I came back from Vegas I had 5 attacks in 7 days. I was exhausted and sore. I even went to see my family MD to get pain killers for any future attacks, and got some good shit. Just haven't had a big enough attack to use it. Sigh. Freakin' stones. Can you believe that I got these BECAUSE I am eating healthily and losing weight? I mean where is the incentive to change your lifestyle and do better? Oh, I know. How about you get healthy start eating right, exercising and lose weight for health reasons (or whatever) and then you can get all sorts of really crappy side effects! I mean I can handle the perpetually cold feeling (I love layering, it really is a side effect that works with fashion), but the massive hair loss and then the gallstones. Come on!

Anyways, that is where I am at for now. Oh, totally bored with food, but still trudging along. I try to stay positive but it is hard sometimes. I feel like nothing is happening, that I am at a stand still, and then some fabulous person will tell me how I look like I've lost weight. God bless you for that. And the hubby is constantly marveling at how small my clothes has gotten. I think that's great, but ironic. My clothes is tiny, but you could probably still fit two if not three people my sister's size in my jeans. Can't win them all I guess. Gotta play the long game right?

BTW, if you have any suggestions for great recipes, please send them my way. Have to be super healthy and can't involve beef (unless ground) or pork. I have rediscovered a love of stirfry; cooked veggies are the best. Oooo, I will post an updated pictures next time (I'll take it before my next adjustment) so we can see if the adjustment makes a difference.

TTFN.

Hello, my name is Moriah and I'm a...

Chocoholic. Wow it is freeing. Ok, not that freeing. I pretty sure that anyone who knows me, knows this little fact about me. I love chocolate. I can live without most of the food that I have had to eliminate from my diet, but chocolate... I have a problem. It's been 48 hours since a last purchased chocolate. But let's be honest, I am eating some as  I write this.

I have decided to keep a food diary until I see my md next. I mean, aside from the glaringly obvious chocolate addiction/issues I have, I am wondering how far I have strayed from when I was successfully loosing weight. I am mostly maintaining at a specific number. Is it because I am now exercising... well maybe but honestly, I haven't really moved weight wise in a couple of months and before that it was a couple pounds here and there. I need something more. I don't know my portion sizes any more (they are a lot smaller then when I started, but are they too big or normal or too small?) and I don't really know if I am eating more starch than I was. As I have mentioned a few times now, I need an adjustment. However, I think I am a little wary of that since the last one (which I had almost a year ago). It was a long and difficult adjustment and I am nervous.

I mean I can no longer enjoy a lot of foods I once did (I price I am more than willing to pay), but how much more can I cut out? I often eat chocolate, not only because I absolutely love it, but because I know it will go down without any issue and give me a little energy boost.

I guess I have a laundry list of things I need to ask my MD.

Should I get an adjustment?
Is it normal to have pain at my port site? What is the cause?
How am I progressing ? Am I on track?
How can I loose more weight?

What else? There were so many questions that I thought of and then forgot. Sigh.

As I have said many times, I think it would be nice to have a program just for us lap-band patients. This is a struggle, and it is made even more difficult by the lack of support. A dietitian, a support group, an exercise specialist maybe? I don't know, what does this type of program normally have?

There is no reference point for me and I struggle with that.

I remember when this all started and they told us (at the info session provided pre-surgery) that this was a slow process and that although gastric by-pass patients had the majority of their success in the first 18 mo, that lap-band patients took 3 years to achieve the same overall weight-loss. I know that I thought that that was fine and that that was what I wanted. You know, the slow healthy, life-style changing approach. But I have to admit that deep down, I thought I would be the exception to the rule. Just look at my old posts. At one point I hoped to have lost 100lbs by year one... and that was me trying to be realistic. Here I sit, still at 65lbs. My doctor is constantly telling me not to look at the number. It isn't real. But it's all I have. It's all I've accomplished.

It feels like so much and so little at the same time. Look at me:

• I'm traveling and fitting into the airplane seat and seat-belt (YAY!)
• I'm haven't lost more than 65lbs 
• I am down from a size 26 to a size 20
• That hasn't changed in quite a few months
• I can walk faster and much further/longer than I could have a year ago
• My bra size has shrunk *sob* (not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing)
• I have always prided myself on not having flabby, flappy skin - well I do now. It's wrinkly and creepy and gross... and I am not even close to done.
• I can't even tell people my starting weight (out loud or written)
• I'm still terrified of failing... at a surgical procedure for weight-loss
• Sometimes I look at myself and feel like a million dollars (look at how small I am!)!
• Sometimes I look at myself and think: God, you lost 65 lbs and your still fat!

How can anyone win at this game?

I have no idea where to go with this. I don't think I have a positive "Yay, everything will work out" for you today.

I also need to mention that I miss steak, hamburgers (with a bun), sandwiches and french fries. Try finding food you can eat when traveling. It's near impossible! I am reduced to coffee breakfasts and if I'm lucky some fatty pastry such as a croissant for breakfast (as everything else is hard to find), pizza (blah) or something equally easy for lunch, if I'm feeling lucky a hamburger for dinner. But I usually end up with appetizers.  It rather challenging eating much of anything else without risking blocking. ON the up side I don't gain weight on vaca, on the down side, I can't go to a restaurant without checking where the washrooms are.

"Hello, Moriah. This is your life!" I needed a little Sesame Street moment there.

Some of you may be curious about the exercise/treadmill progress. Well I have made it up to 20 mins per and a minimum of 3 times per week. However, two things have affected my regiment recently: (1) I have a cold that causes me to hack up a long when I breath, talk or any such activity, (2) I went to Vegas for a week. On the bright side of things, I walked everywhere, for hours, non-stop while in Vegas (feeling like I still got in my exercise). On the down side, I don't think the treadmill and I will be spending quality time together anytime soon (next week for sure - I have to be able to breath without hacking up a long).

And on that note, that's it for me.

Treadmill - Day 3

Well I am please to report that day three took place, with great success. I am aiming for a hat trick (isn't that hockey talk for 4 times?) Serisously, tomorrow day four. I think I am happy to commit to 15 mins/day plus a 2 min cool off. Not bad if I can do it every day. I promise to not update on my treadmill every day. This is it till I start hitting some major milestones.

Speak of the devil... Meet my mode of exercise. 

Treadmill - Day 2

Yup, it actually happened. There has officially been two days of treadmilling in a row! Today I did 15 mins and felt real good. Huh. Wonder if I can get a streak going and do it three whole days in a row!

Stay tuned ladies and gents!

Treadmill - Day 1

So I had my monthly appointment with my doctor today. It always feels good to check in with someone about this whole experience, seeing as how I technically could disappear and no one would miss me (medically speaking). So we chat for 10-15 mins and away I go to try and figure out how to maximize the benefits of the surgery.

I am brutally honest when I am there. As I told my hubby, why wouldn't I be. If I don't tell the truth, he can't really help me. So in that spirit he asked me how the holidays were and I told him they were fine; that with the lap band it's not really possible to over eat. The biggest problem I have (as always) is that I have been eating a lot of chocolate lately. So sweet this guy, he asks me all concerned-like..."is this chocolate that company has brought in the house?". To which I state... uh, no. This is chocolate I brought into the house. I explain that I have been snacking on M&Ms for example, yesterday I got up and had my coffee. So he asks if I am eating a bag of M&Ms at a time... Uh, no, I am not. I explained that yesterday I got up late and didn't have breakfast. By the time lunch rolled around, Guy and the girls had sandwhiches and I was cooking so I didn't eat. When I felt a tad hungry, I would grab a small bunch of M&Ms. We had to leave the house shortly after lunch to go sledding and I came back and finished the recipes I had started and then it was supper time. He expressed understanding but concern on the fact that on the weekends things can be quite different with the band and that when we get up everything is tight and you can't eat but by dinner you are (and I quote) "wide open". His concern is that I then gorge come dinner and into the evening. But the fact is that I had a bowl of broccoli soup and 1/8th of a tourtier (that was the size of my slice). On top of that I would have been fine with just the soup, but in light of the lack of nourishment throughout the day I made the effort.

I suggested some workarounds for the weekends to ensure that I get enough nourishment, but said that overall I was doing well. I told him I knew I had to quit chocolate and he said no, just to do it better. Like eat real food first and just have it as a tiny snack. All that to say that when he asked if I was exercising I told him that I finally got the treadmill and that I would be starting tonight. He asked me what my plan was and I told him that I would do 30 mins tonight (thinking that I could do that every other night). He told me not to do that and to just start with 10 mins. From there I could increase it, but he would be happy if I did 10 mins every night on the treadmill.

So how did it go? I did my ten minutes. It was actually pretty intense because I used a program that walks me through Central Park and has speeds and inclines pre programed. I am glad I just started at ten, but think that I might bring it up a smidge tomorrow. Guy is currently showing off by going that much longer than me. Jerk.

Stay tuned for the adventures of Moriah in weight-loss and exercise land!

New Year's Resolution

Fact is, I don't believe in them. To me it's just one big, obnoxious way of setting yourself up for failure. I take the "constantly re-evaluating" approach and adjust accordingly. Does this even make sense? Essentially, Guy and I bought a treadmill. It happens to coincide with the most popular time of year for lifestyle changes and new years resolutions. But it's not. This is a continuation of something started quite some time ago... not a sudden need to make myself better when faced with a liminal moment that is fresh, shiny and all brand new.

As some of you already know, I started down this road 3 years ago when I put my name on a list for the lap band surgery. I have been living with the lap band now for just over 14 months. I think I am doing rather well at this point in time in managing my food and not blocking... that's not to say I no longer block, but when I do it is do to something I have done wrong; not ignorance. My last adjustment was in march of 2011, and I struggled with that until about October. It took me nearly 7 months to adjust to that increase. I have roughly 6.5 ml in my 10 ml band. During my September/October (not sure which) appointment with my MD I asked when I would need another adjustment/how I would know I needed one, since it had been so long since I had had one. At that time he informed me that I would know that it was time when my portions increased essentially. And shortly thereafter I noticed that I actually felt hunger between meals and that my portions had increased. When I saw the doctor in November, I mentioned this, but also pointed out that I was heading off to NY (NY) and wasn't quite ready to have to struggle through adjusting to the new restrictions while traveling. He totally agreed and also wanted to wait and see what my ultrasound said about the intense pain I was experiencing. He also said something to me that really stuck. He said that my weight loss should not solely be based on restrictions... on low calorie intake. We discussed my non-existing exercise regiment and agreed to hold on an adjustment.

Enough with the background now. As most of you know, I have been trying to incorporate exercise into my life, make it part of this lifestyle change that I have been working on. For a while during the summer, I felt that I found a great way of adding exercise into my life by walking 3.5 km home from my children's daycare. But the daycare changed, Imogene went to school and our patterns were all different. I don't know how you all do it. I mean I find that my schedule is quite charged with work, the kids, a tiny little life... I don't know when I could possibly fit exercise in. But let's be honest, it has NEVER been a priority. I would rather read, or work on my photography than do that. I could join a gym, but by the time I get the kids settled for the night, and that time is mine again I have no interest whatsoever in getting into the car to go publicly humiliate myself and sweat with strangers.  So there it is, a treadmill. Well not yet.
Step 1: make the purchase (check!).
Step 2: pick-up the purchase (scheduled for Friday, January 6)
Step 3: assembly the purchase (hopefully same day as pick-up)
Step 4: buy an outfit to workout in? Ok, fine... just use the damn thing.

I'll let you know how my four step program works out.

I hope the holidays treated you all kindly, and that this new year is wonderful. I feel good about it!