Truth hurts ... but it's a great motivator

So I was chatting with a friend of mine this morning.  We were catching up on what's been going on in each others life.  He asked me how the weight-loss was coming along.  Actually he didn't actually "ask" - he grilled me.  Was I keeping a food log?  How much cardio was I doing each week?  How long were my cardio workouts?  What does a typical day's menu look like?  How long had I been doing this, in earnest?

In earnest.

Those words (and the grilling) made me reevaluate my dedication to this journey.  I have had some setbacks. I've slacked some (ok more than some) during the holidays.  I had not been applying myself to this whole program "in earnest" for a while.  I had told myself that the New Year would be my time to have a renewed motivation/eagerness/excitement about it all.  And in my heart I truly wanted that.  My actions haven't been on the same page as my heart.  Four words made me take a harsh look at what I had become and what I don't want to ever go back to.

crap eating couch potato

Wow.  Is that how my friend really saw me?  That stung more than I wanted to admit. But, the fact is, he was right.  As he said, I didn't go from ~160 to >200 by magic.  I did it to myself and if I don't get my attitude and commitment and motivation back on track I'm only headed back to that same place.  That more than anything was a wake up call and what I needed to hear.

This friend really does care.  He pushes me (and not just on this topic) to push myself to be "more" and to be better.  And the fact that he cared enough to dish out a dose of honesty means a lot to me.  He offers encouragement and tells me that I *can* do this.  And having him in my corner (and getting a reminder this morning that he is in fact in my corner), I believe that I *can* and that I *will*.

Don't get me wrong, my other friends are just as supportive and encouraging and I am so thankful to have them in my life.

So thanks to all of my friends for keeping me honest and keeping me on track.  Couldn't get through this without you all!

New Year - New Attitude!

Happy New Year!  (ok so I'm a little late...)

I hope everyone had a good holiday - I know I did.  Not that I did anything all that exciting, but I did get what I really needed - a break.  A break from work, a break from email (mostly), and a break from the daily "rush" from here to there and back again.  Spent time up in New York City with dear friends and luckily missed out on all the travel woes that others experienced.

On my way home from New York, I realized that I had packed my book in my checked bag, so I swung by a shop and picked up a few magazines.  One was Vanity Fair which I really don't ever buy, but this had Johnny Depp on the cover.  How could I resist?  The other was a recent copy of Self.  Some great ideas for meals from Jillian Michaels in it.  Looking forward to trying some of those out.  

I also found this in Self:

If you make only one resolution this year, let it be to live boldly.  You control this moment:  Rather than cautiously test the water, dive straight into life with freeing abandon.  Imagine the person you want to be and the life you want to live, then simply commit to them.  Believe in yourself.  Embrace your beauty.  Discover a new passion.  And whatever you do, wherever you go, don't be afraid to make a splash.

So there's my first post of the New Year... along with my 2011 resolution.  I plan to make the absolute most out of my 2011.  What do you plan to do with yours?