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Days like today are the ones where you just want to go home and curl up in the chair with a cozy blanket and a half-gallon of chocolate and peanut butter ice cream.  That might have been the way I would handle things a month ago, but not the choice I made today.  I can't help but be proud of myself as I think about what could have been, and what was.  Instead of diving head first into that chocolate peanut butter goodness, I cooked a broccoli beef stir fry and low fat "fried" rice for my family.  I sat with my girls and had a great dinner and then proceeded to make plans to go to the gym with my friend for later this evening. 

While I know my post yesterday was all about excuses, today is all about the positive.  Here are a few things I've learned on this journey that seemed to be restarted over and over again...

1)  I can only walk this road one day at a time.  Today is all that matters, not the mistakes of yesterday or the challenges of tomorrow.

2)  I won't enjoy the blessings I have if I am a physical wreck.  I have a purpose to this journey and I need to remember that with each step on the treadmill.

3)  The elliptical machine was probably not made in hell and it's a mountain I can climb and shout from the top "look at me world - I am a conqueror." 

4)  If I want to give advice on health, I need to actually live a healthy lifestyle.  I may have all the knowledge in the world about getting into shape and finding health, but if I don't practice what I preach, I'm nothing more than the emptiness of my words.

5)  There's nothing more encouraging on a journey like this than the supportive words of family and friends.  I will never tire of hearing the words "I'm proud of you." 

6)  With every pound lost and every inch that is gone, my smile just gets bigger and bigger.   Now I have a great excuse to show off those pearly whites. 

7)  Although the battles are mine to fight alone, it's nice to know that I have friends who walk beside me, hold my hand, and cheer me on as I kick the fat-meister in the butt.  Thank you Kirsten, Deana, Mom, Christina, Michael, Pam, Marilyn and the many others who love me for who I am and see me for who I can become.