Lao Tzu said, “The journey of a thousand miles beings with one step.” Her Dotyness says, “You only need AAA if you take a second one.” (Feel free to embroider that on a throw pillow.)

At the urging of my hairdresser Marla, I went for a tour of a local gym. At her insistence, I joined it. That was two weeks ago and I still haven’t left one drop of sweat in the building.  I took the first step; but, my AAA card is still dusty.

The truth is that I hate getting sweaty – I don’t mind being sweaty, I just hate getting sweaty. If I could workout and not sweat, I’d be far more likely to do it – well, at least until I had a heatstroke. I hate feeling hot, but not hot enough. I hate that itchy, sticky feeling. Once I’m sweaty, it’s no different from being wet any other way; so, I’m fine. In fact, I actually like the idea that my body is throwing off waste and cleaning itself. So, why do I avoid it so much? I really don’t know.

I’ve been on countless diets over the course of my life and I’ve said several times that I truly don’t know what made The Big Reduction different from all other previous attempts. I’ve said that and it’s the gospel truth. For if I knew what made that effort so different, I’d be able to tap into it now and get these side effect pounds off.

I mean, I know what to do: eat more fruits and vegetables, eat less starch, drink plenty of water, get plenty of rest and get some exercise every day. Of course, all of those items have their own little sublists to make them easier; but, as they stand, they’re hardly rocket science, right? Still, here I sit in my sweat pants because my other pants don’t fit. What I have to tap into again is the right motivation.

My motivation for The Big Reduction was my grandchildren. I don’t have any yet (and am in no particular hurry, son of mine); but, I would like to be around to meet them someday. With my work-stressed life fueled by the hideous Standard American Diet, my life Before truly was SAD. As it stands now, I’m still work stressed and while I am no longer fueled by SAD, I’m a long way from being healthy. I’m a long way from being that grandmother who plays tag with her grandchildren. And that’s the grandmother I want to be.

I want to be the one who goes rock climbing with them, bakes cookies with them, goes hiking, camping (well, maybe not camping – too many bugs), and canoeing with them. I want to be Adventure Gram!

So. How do I hold that vision in place to be a constant motivator? How does Adventure Gram begin to push my big, ole hams out the door to the gym? How does she curb compulsive eating and bingeing?

I don’t know. I’m still standing on that first step.