Exercise.

I'm ok with exercise, I really am. I've had gym memberships for years and my mother has always always always encouraged physical fitness. Until about 2 years ago I had sworn off running. It was of no interest to me. I could power walk, I could elliptical, I could aerobicize. Then, a trainer at the gym told me that if I really wanted to drop weight I needed to run. I wasn't happy about it, but with encouragement and baby steps I could run for an hour.

Problem: I have a bad back. I've had back surgery and need to constantly be attentive to the weakness. I've had some pretty awful relapses involving physical therapy and such, and luckily I'm fine. However, I had to stop running for extended periods of time to not acerbate the problem. These rest periods have totally derailed any momentum and I've had to take steps backward to regain my stamina.

I like to exercise, I don't love to exercise. (I don't believe ANYONE that says they love to exercise.) I love the results from exercise...and taking into account my new-ish (not so great) all or nothing attitude, it is an essential key to being "good".

The last time I exercised was probably 2 weeks ago. I'm in a bad period. My back was bothering me pretty profoundly and I got a monster cold that wiped me out for a solid week. The primary goal is to eat healthfully. I also want my stamina back! I hate that I once was able to physically do something that I can't do anymore. With these 2 goals working in tandem, I can undoubtedly achieve my weight loss goals also associated with this personal challenge.

The mission is what it is, and it is what it is because I want all the lovely side effects that come along with it.