Step One

I quit smoking June 2008. It's not been an easy journey. I still miss it sometimes. I still crave them at times. I even refer to my smoking time as my happy time. But I quit to better my health and the health of my family. Breast cancer runs in my family, as does heart disease and stroke. So, I guess it was time to stop playing Russian Roulette with my health - for my sake and for my children's sake.

I made the mistake of stopping there. I guess I figured without all those chemicals going through my body I would be healthy. I'm healthier, that's for sure.

But in the process I've gained probably 30 pounds. I'm not sure how much. I don't own a scale. But I've gained a lot of weight. Well, this isn't healthy either - carrying around all this extra weight.

I look at my kids and I think "I really want to be a good example to them." I don't want them to be teased, because let's face it, fat kids are teased. It's not fair and it shouldn't happen, but it does. And we live in a society that fuels the thought process it's okay to look down on fat people. (Let me tell you something, I know lots of skinny people I am more active than.)

So Step One in my big grand scheme of changing things I am unhappy about is to make my body healthier. I can't afford all organic, but I'll be introducing more fruits and veggies into my diet. Also, drinking more teas what with their health benefits and all.

But there is one thing I am not giving up and that's coffee. Sorry. I gave up smoking. Not giving up coffee. It'll have to be the one vice I have. So Step One is in process. Hope to keep this thing updated.