You may or may not know that I pretty much watch Dr. Phil every day. Except if it's a rerun. I've watched his weight solution shows from the very beginning. Last year, when he was looking for participants, he asked America, "Are you ready to change your whole life around to get rid of this weight once and for all?"

And I sat at home thinking my own answer to his question, which was, "Not really..."

I watched the weight loss participants over the next 9 months, and didn't miss a single show. I even watched the teen weight loss shows! Little by little, things in my own life began to change, too. Last August, I began having very severe bouts of anxiety and started seeing a therapist. As I began to feel better about myself in general, I wanted my body to feel better too. I started walking in December. I gave up caffeine once and for all at the New Year. And around February or March, I realized sugar, especially chocolate, was a major trigger of anxiety attacks. So, I gave that up, too, for the most part. On occasion, I've indulged in a small sugary treat, knowing which foods would trigger sugar cravings for me, and which ones wouldn't. But it's cool, because I haven't even felt drawn to sugar, really. I think it's because it's not that I can't eat sugar -- I know that I'm choosing not to for my health. That makes it easier to stay away.

I also made a goal at the beginning of the year to walk 500 miles in 2004. Today, I passed the 175 mile mark!

Part of my inspiration to do healthy things for myself has been Dr. Phil's weight loss shows. I was astonished at the differences the participants have made in their lives! Some of them look like completely different people. And Dr. Phil always has cool ways of saying things that just seem to strike a chord with me. He makes a lot of sense.

I realized recently that even though I'm making progress all by myself, I'm still not making the kind of progress I'd like to be. I figured, what the hell? I went out and bought the book -- Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution - The Seven Keys to Weight Loss Freedom.

Today I sat at a table outside, answering the book's questions in my notebook. I took the Readiness Quiz (oh, I'm ready!) and the Internal Audit. And I have to say, I'm feeling really excited!

I tend to make exercise schedules for myself in my notebook or on my computer, and then not stick to them. Well, I made one for June, and this time, I decided the only way I'd stick to those goals is if they're staring me in the face. I put my schedule on my refrigerator! That way, I'll see it often, and I'll know what the next day's goals are just by glancing over there.

Today, I didn't want to exercise. I just did not want to go outside on those trails and exercise and THEN start dinner, and blah blah blah. But because of what I'd read in Dr. Phil's book, and because I told myself, "I AM serious about getting in shape," only hours earlier, I knew I needed to do something. So, I fired up the mp3 player, strapped on my pedometer and got to walking... around my living room! I racked up 2.5 miles around my apartment, and even washed a few dishes and started dinner at the same time!

Checking off my exercise for today was a very satisfying feeling. I'm glad I didn't let myself make excuses to get out of it.

I really am dedicated to working out and losing weight. I want to be athletic again, and I'm already well on my way.

I'm really enjoying The Ultimate Weight Solution, too. It's a great tool to help me and inspire me as I get in shape.

So far, things are looking great, and I imagine it'll only get better from here!