Embarking On New Challenges

I purposed, or proposed to myself, that this year I will challenge myself to do things that I've always wanted to do and to make sure that I don't back down from doing so. I've written what I have in mind and heart to accomplish this year. Today I took the first steps towards meeting them by officially joining the New York Road Runners Club, and signing up for my first NY 5K race taking place in March. So what does this mean?

This means no large fries, or fries of any kind with my double cheeseburger. Scratch that--I can't even get a burger at McD's. No more chinese take out, no more chocolates or sodas in the house. I've thrown out the chips in my office file cabinet for those days when I want something salty. Removed all the hard candies and packs of single-serve popcorn for those 'i just want a little snack to tide me over' moments. I've given away all of the treats from my Christmas stockings, and handed over the flavored popcorn I just picked up from Costco as an impulse buy. That's one of my problems--I bought a huge 3-pack of flavored popcorn as an impulse purchase. Only a true fat-ass would do that.

I cleared out my refrigerator of all of the no-no's. Got rid of the sparkling cider that I bought for the holidays for the non-drinkers. Packed up the candy apple that someone gave me and trashed the half-eaten cookie that I took from a frenemy who offered it as a 'holiday treat' at my office holiday party. Why I took a bite makes me think I may have been feeling 'the spirit of the season' too much; actually bringing the leftover cookie home and placing it in my refrigerator makes me think that I was probably high. I tossed it out like Jordan in his 90's hey-day.

I rustled through all the extra sweets tucked away in my freezer--a piece of pie from the deli, some candy bars from the bodega, and a blueberry muffin from the bagel shop around the corner. I grudgingly got rid of what was left of the half-gallon strawberry ice cream from Breyers (my FAVORITE) and even dismissed the 'healthy' fruit bar/yogurt alternatives that I reasoned would not make me fat but allow me the opportunity to get a taste of something sweet like ice cream, without it being detrimental to my health. Of course, I also reasoned that having 3 on a random, hot October day, was okay--it was yogurt, after all!

Fat ass.

I realize that making these life fulfilling goals requires making life altering changes. Changes to which I almost completely embrace. I know--if I want to do it, there is a cost to it. So if this is what I need to do in order to reach a dream, so be it--this is worth it and I know the outcome will be more amazing then me and this moment. I will probably not even remember having to close my eyes, as I run roughshod through my cabinets and countertops with a black trash bag in the dark to snatch and shove items that I desperately desire but must deeply denounce. It will all be worth it. I'm sure of it. I'm almost certain of it. Well, maybe 85% certain.

Okay, 58%. But I'm gonna get there...it'll just take a moment.

Aloha.