Change...

I'm ready for change.

"Build upon strengths, and weaknesses will gradually take care of themselves."
---Joyce C. Lock

I love that quote. For so long it seems like I have been focused on fixing my mindset. Well, now I'm going to start getting physical with my change.

A few weeks ago I started the process of purging my house. A person never realizes how much STUFF they own until the sorting begins. That is so true in my case. There were so many things in closets and cabinets I simply didn't need...or even use. So far I have completely cleaned out the laundry room, hall bathroom, and hall closet. It is a really a great feeling to get rid of stuff. This week I need to tackle the kitchen, master bedroom, and master bathroom. The thought of the kid's room is a bit daunting...especially John's room. His closet contains just about every action figure EVER made, 1000 Star Wars "things", four million animals (I'm pretty sure during his childhood he received every animal planet package available at Toy's R Us), and more WWE junk than 5 boys need. Lexi's room is much better. The Barbies and Pollypockets have been put away for several years...now her room is filled with many books and random journals. The clothes will be the biggest obstacle in her room...I can't really sort that stuff without her. In my room I have about 8 bags of clothes I need to donate. I'm wondering if it is even worth it to keep anything I wore when I was much smaller...probably not. It is kind of depressing to see it...like a daily reminder I am many sizes bigger than I was five years ago. On that note...

I really want to lose weight. REALLY. Ideally, I would like to lose about 40 pounds...but I'm not sure at 36 if I will get back to what I weighed at 30. So...I'm going to put a goal of losing 25 pounds out in the universe. I sit and watch The Biggest Loser every week...generally with a plate of Chinese food or something just as bad for me. Nice. I need to get up and move more. I started doing some basic workouts last week but I need to get into a dedicated routine. I ordered a new plan...Ten Minute Workouts by Tony Horton. Those should be here later this week. I'm very excited about these. I also ordered The Biggest Loser cookbook. Cooking for two (it is Lexi and me at home most of the time) is challenging...not to mention my daughter is a pretty picky eater. We shall see where that goes. She got me one of Jillian Michael's books for Christmas and seemed up to trying some of her recipes (Ummmm....no, I never made them) so maybe if I get her involved in the process she will buy in.

Now, those two things are pretty big...organizing and losing weight. I need to find my strengths within myself and use them to motivate!! The sad thing is I'm REALLY good at ordering in Chinese, building the perfect burrito at Qdoba, and sitting around. I need to flip that mindset completely.

What are my strengths? What are my weaknesses? I need to work on those lists...mainly the strengths. I need to take my "before" pics. All I can really control in this world is my attitude, my actions, and my hair color...and I really want to make the most of this life. I'm tired of the same stuff every day. I want to LIVE life and not just survive it.

I'm ready for change!!!