...go!

The time has come!  It's a bit earlier than I had thought it would be--I send my thanks to my ever supportive husband who helped me drink the last few cokes in the fridge.  I, however, can take full credit for the disposal of the remaining Hershey's Bliss chocolates that were tainting our otherwise healthy pantry.  Okay, mostly healthy pantry. 

There is still a canister full of Lucky Charms which I will allow to become the exception to my healthy eating plan as long as they last.  You may be wondering what an almost 30 year old is doing eating Lucky Charms for breakfast every morning, but let's face it folks.  They are delicious and to be quite honest, they are the only thing that gets me out of bed some mornings.  I'm with the leprechaun: 'You can't take me Lucky Charms [yet]!"

So anyhoo, aside from my sugary cereal fix, I am officially starting my 30 by 30 plan today.  I weighed in this morning with the fear that my pantry cleansing efforts may have left me with more than 30 pounds to lose, but miracle of miracles, I am still "just" thirty pounds away from a BMI of 22.  Again, this experiment is more about gaining health than losing weight, so the scale will not be the only way I judge my progress.  Waist size is an excellent indicator of health according to "You: On a Diet" (the ideal waist size for women is 32.5 inches or less and for men, 35 inches or less).  Therefore, I've decided to track my weight weekly and my waist monthly.  I'm not quite gutsy enough to post my actual weight and waist size for the world (or at least my six followers) to see, but I will post the difference from my starting point here each week.

At the suggestion of my favorite doctor-to-be, I also plan to have a physical and labwork done within the next couple of weeks to determine my starting blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting glucose levels, etc.  I hope to be able to run these labs again in August, but it will depend on our insurance coverage.

I think we've all heard that the promise of rewards can help us achieve our goals.  Becoming healthy has many built in rewards (more energy, a longer life span, and becoming a good role model to my girls to name a few), but I'm afraid that's just not going to cut it.  I'm going to need something a little more tangible.  Like a fabulous new dress, a hair cut/style, and a night out on the town for my 30th birthday!  Or maybe a weekend in New York City full of shopping and Broadway plays?  Perhaps a week at an all inclusive resort?  Maybe two weeks?  I can almost hear Chris gasping as he reads this.  But don't worry, hubby, August is still six months away.  And think of all the money we'll be saving as we no longer need to support my coke habit. :)

Well, I hear Nicole waking up from her morning nap, so I'll sign off.  Raise your glasses [of water]--here's to week one!