You're pretty strong-willed, I know you can do these...plus, the extra motivating factor is that you keep feeling better and better, so it's like a drug. You'll be a health junkie!! It's good for your family too.

So, what are SMALL steps, or ideas you can take to get started on this. What is the target of these goals (date)--are things things you want to get into the habit of by the end of March, April, 2006?

My ideas for ya (since you asked for our help!!)
1) Try not cooking/having food that you cannot eat in the house (think: streusel). If it healthier for you, then it's healthier for your family, so good for everyone. Not torture. Makes it easier for you to stay on track too.
2) Plan scheduled times to have tea...I have mine at 3pm..it's now something I look forward to as a break at work.
3) Can you place a set of pills somewhere in the house that you'll take them? I've started doing that and it sort of helps. Can you get one of your kids to make you take them (your D10 before school?)
4) Exercise...I was a serious BUM. So, here's how I did it....I started out LOW. Seriously, about 10 min on treadmill. Then I addded 1 min every other workout. You'll be surprised at how quickly it progresses. I started at 3 min on the elliptical and now to 18...still no biggies, but I'm getting there. At this stage, it's not about the physical part so much as the behavior....you're trying to make exercise an enjoyable habit that you look forward to, so make it reasonable and gradual. It took me MONTHS to get that part down, and now I focus on a "real" workout, instead of just the habit of getting up at 6:30am to go. You will feel WORLDS better after working out--such an antidepressant....look at SH..she's HOOKED. So, this weekend, make it a task to clean off the treadmill...you said you have one? Maybe get some small weights (soup cans do well).

OK...now to ME:
Today: I went to the gym. Proud of myself, H did not go, but I went anyway. So, it's now something that I do on my own without the push (ok, I like the push too).

Eating a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner (leftovers). Try to eat 2 servings of fruit again and 4 glasses of water. Vitamin too.

This morning, said the elder morning prayer on my way back from the workout, as the sun rose over the snow-capped mountains...I felt so good. I realized that the most we can promise each day was to LIVE WELL. So, some sort of early morning ritual, peaceful moment is going to be a regular too. It centers my mind to a positive space, which is so fragile these days!

When I was in my funk these past few months, I felt like I stopped calling people, stopped being cheery, just walked around like a zombie. Now, I've started to center myself and started smiling more, engaging with people, even in passing, being myself again, happy and free-spirited. It feels so good. Such a silly thing, but it's surprising how easily this stress takes over our normal selves.

Have a strong day and LIVE WELL.