My long-term goal, besides the obvious weight loss, is to be able to run again. Right now, I can barely make it for a walk around the block, so my first objective is to get myself fit enough to start the Couch to 5k program and then take it from there.

My initial plan is to do a bit of light stretching every morning, walk at as brisk a pace as I can manage at least 3 days a week and do an exercise video at home on the alternate days. I provide childcare for my 20-month old grand daughter several days a week, generally Monday, Wednesday and Friday. I figure I can do the exercise videos when she takes her nap and take my walks on the days she isn’t here.

I’m so out of shape right now that this plan will be a challenge for me for awhile. When I can walk 3 miles without feeling like I’m going to keel over from a stroke, I’ll reevaluate the situation and take an honest look at my weight and condition. I neither want to start the Couch to 5k program too soon and injure myself or linger too long with an exercise program that is not challenging enough to get results. I’ll simply have to take this one day at a time.

I’ve been TERRIBLE about taking my high blood pressure meds every day. I often skip days, sometimes even 2 or 3 days. And my salt intake was quite high. One of my commitments is to take the bp meds daily and hope that it will get to the point where I no longer need them. I bought a home blood pressure monitor and will record my BP here everyday.

So, my initial plan of action is as follows:

Remain on Paleo diet and give it an honest try for at least 30 days.
Stick to my planned exercise strategy
Limit salt
No diet soda or crystal light, I’ve consumed them to excess in the past
Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day
Log onto SP at least once a day, at least to update my stats and briefly blog what kind of day I had.

That's it for now. There's more I see myself doing down the road but I don't want to self-sabatoge by trying to do too much too soon.

My day was pretty good. My energy level is increasing a little bit each day!