Happy New Year!

What's that you say? The new year started three days ago?

Ah. Well, since I've been on the road since Christmas Eve, I officially started 2011 and all the healthy intentions that come with it this morning.

But first, a quick look at 2010: I'm glad it's over.

There were some good things, and there were some bad things. The bad things really kicked my butt.

When the year was all said and done, I came out 24 pounds lighter than I started it.

It could've been worse, I guess, but I'm finally ready to kick it into high gear again. And I'm off to a good start: 3 miles on the treadmill this morning.

I'm gonna get a handle on my diet again, and here is my exercise goal: Treadmill at home before work on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and kickboxing at the gym before work on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Having to drag myself out into the dark, cold mornings two days a week doesn't seem as awful to me.

And I'm pushing myself hard to get in my workouts first thing in the morning for two reasons: I won't dread working out all day, and well, it makes me feel pretty good for the rest of the day.

Two new(ish) goals, resolutions, whatever you wanna call 'em: I'm giving up Diet Coke (and all pop, for that matter), and I'm really going to work on "finding my happy," as my friend Tammie says.

Anyone who knows me well knows the Diet Coke thing won't be easy for me. But it's time. I'm putting too many chemicals into my body that don't belong there.

(What's that? Touch my beer and I'll bite off your fingers. Pipe down.)

As for my "happy," I'm reading a book called "Women Food and God" (which I'll talk about again soon), and one thing is becoming clear(er) to me:

My weight is not my problem. My problems help cause my weight.

So here we are. The year 2011, and I am still struggling with some of the same shit I was struggling with in 1993.

I'm ready to be better in so many ways.

Who's with me?

Oh, and Alan: Game on.