Just to say you did.

I've always hated when people did things "just to say they did". Like running a marathon, or something. I've always been more about doing it because I want to, or I enjoy it, or it makes me feel good. But I found myself in "getting serious mode" at the local park, ready to run on the trail and really not wanting to, but doing it basically, just to say I did. Ugh. I'm officially one of those people. I'm exactly that mom. That mom that I never said I would be. For example:

I said I would never eat my kids left over food (did it today), I would never spank my child (did it yesterday - and it was a joke, doesn't work), I would never count to 3 to get my child to do something (totally tried it - and it kinda works), I would make sure my child was potty trained by 2 years (my child pooped on the floor like a dog today, and yesterday and she's 3), and I would never do something just to say I did.

 Well, okay, I'm changing my attitude because I keep doing things mostly because I said I would and not because I want to. I've gone to the trail, like, 4 times in the past week and I'm so happy I did, but I really didn't want to. I used to run because it was fun and I enjoyed the experience, but now that I'm "phat" and really need to do it, it's less entertaining. But, I will not stop. I've got to keep on moving because I have goals and I want to be a good role model to my daughter...which reminds me ~ What's happening to the high school kids these days? Over the weekend we drove by a high school car wash and all (most) of the young girls look so unhealthy and muffin-top-y! We've got to get it together out there. This is clearly a result of poor diet and little exercise. Granted, it was the school choir car wash and not the cheerleaders, but still. Can't we be in the choir and still be fit? This was just another subtle motivator for me to get serious.

 Another, not as subtle, motivator happened today when I went to Kohls to get some "transition pants" (pants to wear as I lose the baby weight). I've never stepped foot in a Kohls before (not that there's anything wrong with it) but I'm just sayin, I'm not going to spend a bunch of money on pants in a size I don't want to be. Anyway, I went into the dressing room with the size I thought I was...and surprise...not even close. I wanted to cry, but that would be stupid. Crying never helped anybody get fit, so I just put the Jennifer Lopez originals back on the rack and carted myself right out of there. I just can't buy pants right now. Just can't. This second pregnancy has really done a number on me. I was checking myself out in the dressing room mirror, you know... all angles ~ and I totally have mom butt. I look like sponge mom square butt. Not cool. So, today is a turning point for me. I know how to work out, but that's only half of the battle ~ so it's also time to eat clean.

Here's what I'm going to do: 1.) Begin to eliminate processed foods from my diet. Anything in a package, box, can, and stored on a shelf in the middle aisles of the grocery store...OUT. I say begin, because this going to be difficult, but not impossible, and may take some time. 2.) Cut the cheese. I gotta stop eating so much cheese. Dairy really sticks with you, so cheese needs to be a treat, not a nightly staple. 3.) Eat raw. Raw fruits and vegetables nourish you and then pass right through with very little staying power. The best. 4.) Allow myself to feel hunger before I eat. Pretty simple ~ don't eat for any reason other than hunger. Not because I'm bored, or because there are left overs, or because I'm happy, sad, etc. Just because I'm hungry. Rocket science, right?

I'll start with these four goals, following them religiously for one week. Try it with me and see what happens... Even if you don't want to, do it... "Just to Say You Did".