I'm a Ding Dong!

Well, now I've gone and done it. I have not only made a private resolution to live a more healthy lifestyle, I have actually joined an "accountability" group to help me achieve it. And this is no ordinary accountability group. Oh no --- when I do it, I do it up big. I am now an official member of the Ding Dongs in the Game On Diet challenge! What this means is that I not only have a group of fellow dieters to help encourage and motivate me to success --- but there are also two other teams --- the Ho Ho's and the Twinkies --- against whom we will be competing for prizes!! Talk about pressure!

I remember catching the last few days of the first Game On diet challenge last summer and wishing that I could be a part. Well, as the saying goes, be careful what you wish for :)

In all honesty, I am thrilled to have this opportunity. I have wanted to begin living a more healthy lifestyle for several years now and just have not had the self-discipline to do so. I do not really aspire to lose weight, but I do want to begin a regular exercise routine that will last the rest of my life --- and I know I need to start eating more healthy (I think I drink on average 4 ounces of water a day -- so that is the first habit that will need to change). I think this fun, competitive atmosphere is just the push I need to force me to do the right thing. And...what better time to start than at the start of a new decade in my life.

Now, this just happens to correspond with another healthy challenge in which I have wanted to participate -- the 100 Mile Fitness Challenge. I vacillated back and forth this fall whether to join or not - and Trish was so kind and encouraging, but the bottom line was... I just wasn't mentally ready. Well, I am now. My goal is walk 30 minutes a day for a minimum of 5 days out of 7 and I plan to listen to the Harry Potter series while I do it (hmmm...wonder if I should join the audio book challenge while I'm at it?!). Talk about multi-task. I figure by the end of March I should be more than half way through the series, and I should have walked about 125 miles. Boy -- I feel better already.

So there you have it -- my normally very private goals for the new year out in the open for all to see. I figure I will either have one awesome post come April 1 -- or I will have to admit a very public defeat.