MARTHAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!

It is my belief that every Monday morning should be started with affirmations.  At least, now it is.  A good pep talk first thing - even if you have to do it yourself - usually sets the tone for the day, and when the day is filled with things you plan to change or give up?  Well.  Every little bit helps.

A while back I subscribed to an inspirational quote of the day.  The subscription site also sent out articles that go on for pages and pages and pages...and lo and behold, one of them addressed affirmations.  And wouldn't you know, I've been doing mine all wrong?  You aren't supposed to say - I will.  You're supposed to say I AM!  You are to actually visualize yourself accomplishing whatever goal you have set for yourself, thereby making it more attainable.  A reality waiting to happen.

I set out Saturday to make mine happen.  After catching sight of myself in the mirror, it was off to the Habitat store to find something to double as a clothes rack - an exercise bike.  None of the bikes looked that great, but there was this huge, ugly contraption that caught my eyes.  It has a nice wide seat (perfect!), what appeared to be foot pedals and a bar across the front.  In short, it's a Cardioglide, great for low impact exercise. 

I looked at it, turned to my husband and said - How do you work this thing?  He didn't know.  So we pulled it out, I sat down on it, tried to move the pedals and nothing happened.  All this time, people in that part of the store were snickering behind their shopping baskets but - nothing ventured, nothing to be embarrassed about.  I discovered that you must pull the bar toward you while you press down on the pedals.  It's GREAT!  You're supposed to do 30 minutes for a cardio work-out, and you know what?  I'm up to 3 minutes now!  In no time, I hope to be up to 5.

So tomorrow morning, my affirmations will be:

I am losing this weight.
I am cleaning this house.
I am being productive at work.
I am doing 5 minutes on the cardioglide and nobody has had to call 911.

And after that, I'm making a list.  Realities waiting to happen are great, and so is checking them off as you go.

By the way, I started back on the Southbeach Diet.  Any dieters out there who would like to exchange tips or just share their progress - write away.  I'll be sure to read.