I bought new expensive running shoes in January, then joined Planet Fitness, bought new headphones, updated my iPod playlist...and went running once. I haven't set foot in Planet Fitness (and will probably cancel my membership) but that's OK. For once, I've decided to take baby steps instead of jumping in head first...and it's working.

I started by quitting smoking. I've been doing pretty well with that other than a couple minor slip-ups. Then I started changing my eating habits. That's still a work in progress, but I'm trying to be really mindful of what I eat and how it makes me feel. Finally, today, I went for a run. The soldiers I work with used to do PT during work hours (which I cannot do) but they've now switched the time to 6:30 AM, which I CAN do! It really helps knowing that people are "waiting for me" at the gym...it keeps me accountable - I know if I don't show up, I'll hear about it all day!
I think I started my run a little too enthusiastically. When I got to the first hill, I couldn't breathe and felt like I was going to throw up. So I slowed down and walked. Started jogging again and I got a stitch in my side (which I am told means I need to drink more water). So I just kept walking as fast as I could, then jogging until my side hurt. I ended up tossing my water bottle on the side of the road because it was a PITA to carry (which my friends told me when I showed up with it. LOL) but I went back and picked it up later. I took the route that the soldiers took and I shortened it. They did 5K, I did a mile and a half. And even though I was disappointed that I couldn't run more, I felt great knowing I took the first step and that I'm going to keep at it every day.

When I came to work, I got on the scale (which I haven't done in a couple weeks), and I was down 2 lbs. to 236. I have a long way to go, but if I lose 2 lbs. a week, I can make my goal weight in a little under a year. I'm not giving myself a deadline this time, I'm just going to take it as it comes.