I was born in 1956, and this year I will be 57 years old. My challenge to myself is this:

Weigh in at 157 or less on my 57th birtday.

This is doable! I have 40 pounds to lose, and I have almost 9 months to do it. Here are the steps I will take to achieve this goal:

At least 1000 minutes of outdoor activity every month.

Eat less than 1700 calories every day.

Work my way up to, then maintain, 8 cups of water every day.

Re assess these every two months to make adjustments if necessary.

Note: I made almost the identical entry last year at this time, and I was right on track to achieve it, when, in June, my husband was diagnosed with stage 3 lung cancer. I totally devoted myself to his fight for his life. My focus on my own healthy lifestyle went to the wayside, and I gained back everything and then some.

We are still in the midst of the fight against Paul's cancer, but I have determined to get myself back on track. I have already lost 8 of the pounds I had regained, and I'm remaking this challenge to myself.