I LOVE CHANGE!! Wait - no I don't.

I am an all-or-nothing kind of gal which tends to mean I like to start 20 things to improve myself all at once and then fizzle out in about a week. I need to lose weight and get in shape, so I will be exercising two hours a day six days a week and only eating chicken breast and water until I weigh the same as I did in High School. Doesn't that sound like a GREAT plan?? I need to buy all new work-out clothes because THEN I will work out everyday for two hours! (Brian won't be falling for that one again anytime soon!) I should do an indepth study of the whole Old Testament and maybe get ordained at the same time and get my Master's too!! You get the picture. I remember going to my friend, Marcy, once with probably 17 things I wanted to start because I was INSPIRED!! She wisely said, "Maybe you should just tackle one thing at a time." Whaaatttt??? Who does that???? Oh - people who actually change.

I really don't want to take that advise. I want to start everything now and with unrealistic expectations!! But I can hear a voice in my head saying, "How has that worked out for you in the past??" Shut-up smart voice in my head. I am laying out a plan for change. Small steps to get me where I feel God wants me to be. Nothing drastic. (where's the fun in that?) But with God's help, and yours, I will succeed!! I am going to document my journey for all of you to see even though that means revealing ugly truth that I would rather hide, but I LOVE CHANGE!! Wait - no I don't. But I need change, and God has spoken very clearly to me about what needs to change, so here we go.

1. I have to get up early and have a devotional time. This cannot be accomplished when I stay in my bed and it's dark. That is "praying" with parentheses. Not actual praying. Here are my excuses so you can feel free to help me counteract them.
     a. Lately, Jake falls asleep in our room and I don't want to wake him up with the light.
     b. It's really dark and I want to continue sleeping.
     c. I can do it later.
Wow - those are lame. Like Nike always says - JUST DO IT!

2. I need to go back on Weight Watchers. Here are my excuses.
     a. I can't eat anything I want, in any portion I want, at any time I want.
     b. It's not as easy as eating anything I want, in any portion I want, at any time I want.
     c. I have to buy more fruits and veggies and they are EXPENSIVE!
     d. I can't go to McDonald's and hang out with my nemesis, French Fries, as often.
     e. I don't have my friend, Tammy, to go to the meetings with me. :(
Well, only letter "c" is a valid excuse, and the money I save not going to McDonald's should make up for the difference!

3. I need to exercise. Get ready, because my excuses are plentiful for this one!
     a. I can't do it before work unless I get up at 4 something and that just ain't happening!
     b. It's so hot in the afternoon when I have time to do it.
     c. I get all sweaty and have to take a shower and do my hair again and it's HOT!
     d. I'm super out of shape and it will take forever to get back into shape.
     e. My ear buds hurt my ear when I listen to music. (I'm reaching now)
     f. I would rather sit on the couch in my small window of free time.
I just can't wait to hear what you all have to say about those excuses!

So there it is! My three pronged plan. How I will do it, I don't know yet. I think accountability is good and checking in here with all of you will help me. I thought of starting Weight Watchers today since it is the first of the month, but then Brian brought home bags of candy from the Halloween adventure at the church. Stupid Halloween. Who made up that holiday anyway??? I digress. Today I will have my devotional time since I don't have to work and I have time! Yay! One thing done! Tomorrow I will begin tracking! Yay! Exercise??? We will see. Baby steps, people - baby steps!!