A few things that the dietician said were interesting. First, she pointed out that most people (like me) add about 1-2 pounds a year -- doesn't seem like a lot, but over 10 years, that is about 20 pounds.

She also pointed out that to gain two pounds a year, you only need to take in 10 calories a day more than you burn...10 calories! So having that one peach instead of the Snickers bar can make all the difference. Also, she pointed out that bulk was important -- the sheer volume of the food you eat can make a difference between feeling full (and therefore not eating) and feeling hungry. That's why its a good idea to have a large salad BEFORE dinner, and some fruit afterwards. Keeps you feeling full.

Stuart seems to be doing a great job keeping up with diet and excercise. I have to admit that I didn't work out as much as I should have on Thursday and Friday -- things got hectic. But today, I worked out, ran on a treadmill, and played basketball with the kids.

I have also been getting a lot of encouragement from people online. Heather Pace of Canada (a personal trainer) gave me exercise advice and recipies, and Krystal Williams of Missouri (a long distance runner) gave me encouragement and support. Oh, and Happy birthday Krystal!

I am not disclosing my weight loss or gain (OK, its a loss) yet...cause I want to make sure I can sustain it over time. I am going to HAVE a diet, not BE ON a diet.

If I can do it, so can you.

At the risk of offending all the takeout and delivery places that I have frequented over the past 15 years at work, I have found over the past two weeks that you can indeed take it with you. My wife has been packing me a lunch for years, but sometimes I will eat it. Sometimes, (more often than not) I will order something else from someplace. I went over with the dietitian what I can/should order from the different resturants that deliver to the hospital and will need to change that habit.

I guess I cant get the "cardiac bullet" - bacon, egg, cheese on a roll with butter. We so named it that because it comes from the basic food groups, that will place enough cholesterol on your aorta to clog you coronary artery before you finish it! With apologies to the Egg Board, The Cheese Board, and any board bacon outside, I will have to find a different thing to get at the diner.

I have been told that it is important for me to eat small and frequent meals, to eat about 300-400 calories every four hours. The eating every four hours isn't hard, but the small meal is. I have a tendency to graze when I am at work, and forage when I am at home. At work, I will pick at my meal, eat a few bites, do some work, and eat again. At home, when I am not working, and I am awake at 3 a.m., I will typically start with a bowl of cereal, then a peanut butter sandwich, and then maybe a grilled swiss, with a cup of tea -- unless I raid the candy dish, and eat a "few" jellybeans. The idea of small 300-400 calorie meals is appealing, but how do I keep it varried enough to keep it interesting?

Anybody have good suggestions for meals under 400 calories with low sodium, that are filling, and some that are easy to eat quickly when I am at work?

It's Friday, the completion of another busy week in the Rampolla household. I look back and am amazed that we have been able to get everything in. Work, Boy Scouts, basketball practice, workouts, homework, reports, science fair projects, studying, cooking with Chef Billy and I know I am missing something else.

I tried to take my full day off today. Thought it would be a great time to practice new cooking skills and decided to make homemade PIZZA for dinner tonight. I started everything in time to have pizzas, green salad and fruit salad available for the family when Pedro and the kids came home after work and school. The new ingrediants were fabulous and came together well. I used whole wheat crust, fat-free cheese, fresh mushrooms and lean ground beef, which I mixed with tomato sauce, chunk tomatoes and Italian pizza spices. I added a couple slices of turkey pepperoni for taste. I believe it was a hit. There aren't any left overs.

One of our New You tasks was to slow down the family activity. I am not sure we are slowing down as much as re-prioritizing. What's really important anyway?

Wednesday night I was in the kitchen cooking dinner and my two youngest sons were sitting down at the kitchen table doing homework. The unusual part about this is that I have always been in and out of the kitchen while preparing dinner. Now, since I need to create a meal instead of just pulling ingredients from a bag or box, I found myself watching them, reading with them, spelling with them and counting with them. My how precious this time was. It has been awhile since I have had such focused time with my boys. How much they have grown and I am amazed at how bright they are.

I am starting to see changes in our family. It does not look like we will only be healthier as we emerge on our life journey after New You but closer!

Admittedly, Pedro and I usually ate in front of the TV, watching the news to catch up on what had happened in the day while we were away at work. The kids would sit at the kitchen table. Since we have started this transformation, we have had dinner every night together at the kitchen table with our boys. The world news can wait...I want to know the news that our boys have for us about what has developed during their days!

This is truly an unexpected fringe benefit!

One of my college courses this semester is cancer causes and prevention. The first lecture has scared the living hell out of me. It is amazing how addictive nicotine can be, yet it is legal.

I am mad at myself, but somehow still don't feel that deep conviction to stop buying the cigarettes every week -- for as with every trouble or vice, "enough is enough only when you've had enough." I'm desperately looking for that jolt that will have me saying...and feeling ENOUGH!

To be honest with you CNN Land, I haven't gotten to that point yet. My justifications are:

• I only smoke 3-4 a day
• They are the cute slim Light 100s
• I don't argue at the girls or curse in traffic as much
• I've "only" been smoking for less than a couple years
• I take 1500mgs of Vitamin C/day and 1 tbl of cayenne pepper/month
• My teeth aren't stained (and if they were, I would get a $600 whitening)
• It's not a candy bar
• I think I'm jogging the smoke out of my lungs every morning to balance the damage

....and so on.

But I chose this cancer class for a reason. Maybe to start with a clear personal rationale on why I must make smoking a habit of my past. There really aren't any excuses except I want what I want when I want it, and since a Harley Davidson costs tons more, I'll stop and buy the $4.50 pack. And as I mentioned earlier, no one's advice, warnings or shameful words are going to help me to stop. So lets hope that the course's science lab showing me a healthy lung and blood cell compared to a smoker's lung or cancerous blood cell will do it.

Has anyone tried hypnosis? How did it work for ya?

Got home last night late-ish, about 8 p.m. Greeted the family arriving home from wrestling practice. Had dinner. Then, out for a run at...9:15 p.m.

Can't argue with the results so far. My usual 2.2 mi loop takes me 25 minutes, not 31 minutes. The 0.89 miles to school took 9 minutes 42 seconds last night; a month ago, it was 13 minutes. (Two months ago, it wasn't happening at all.) Upon returning home, my heart rate recovered from a borderline-anaerobic 159 to 111 in 3 minutes flat. And I feel great. Slept like a rock.

But something is gnawing at me a bit. Is there any issue with exercising at night? You know, other than the basic personal safety issue? (Although I've found that the night-owl dog walkers in my neighborhood go to the other side of the street when they hear my feet pounding behind them.)

And, if so, is the issue so great that it is absolutely urgent to get up and out at 5 a.m., which is what it would take for me?

We have been hearing a lot lately about "medically induced coma." Well, that is how I am going to feel after the last two days!! I unexpectedly had to come into work last night when a co-worker wasn't able to. It is nice to be able to help, but this did a number to my plans for the day, and the night, and the day after.

When you plan to be awake during the day, and not the night, you try to eat accordingly -- breakfast at 8 a.m., lunch at 11:30 a.m. and dinner at 6 pm, but then I was at work for the night, so I was hungry again at 11 p.m., so yet another meal. Now, it is 6:30 in the morning, I am not hungry, but I don't know what I should eat, or if I should? I missed my workout yesterday, because I wanted to do it at night once the kids were sleeping, rather than during the day. But I had to rush into the shower and get to work as soon as my wife got home from work.

Now what to do, I have a workout today at 9 a.m., which I scheduled to be my "late sleep" day, but another appointment at 10:30 a.m. Then I will lapse into a COMA till I have to be back to work at 3 p.m. today. Fortunately, I am off on Saturday.

I am looking forward to meeting with the dietitian. No this is not the lady with the hairnet, who leaned over the "Tomatoe Surprise" in High School, nor the people who told me in medical school, the specific amount of sodium you had to have in a diet to call it "renal," but hopefully someone who can tell ME what I can and can't eat, and maybe when.

Things are moving right along in the Rampolla household. Our workouts are making us a little sore, but what a wonderful feeling to know that you feel this way because you are choosing better health!

Yesterday our family was paid a visit by Chief Billy from Cooking Light Magazine. Before cooking a meal we gathered for an educational shopping trip at the Commissary. This was unlike any other trip for family grocieries!

We bought fresh fruit, vegetables, fresh fish and even went for the buffalo meat instead of ground beef. I am excited to experiment with all the new options and recipes for healthier fresh family meals.

Our children are embracing the changes remarkably well. Veggie chips instead of potato chips for instance, wheat bread instead of white. Most of these things would seem common sense or simple, but due to hectic schedules, varied tastes and trips away from home for one or sometimes both parents, quick and easy has always been the priority.

I have noticed that I am feeling more energetic and able to avoid any slumps in my day. This is the forth day that I have scheduled an appointment with myself at 11:30 a.m. for lunch. I have started to bring my lunch to the office, which keeps me at my desk to eat. Lunch time is quiet there, which also provides a wind down from morning errands and running around.

I admittedly feel a little boxed-in, but am proud that I am keeping the promise to myself to eat lunch and attempt to regulate my eating habits. After talking to the dietician Monday, I firmly believe that my metabolism is so sluggish because I don't eat regularly!

I am not having headaches that usually tell me that I need to slow down and eat. Most times when I get to this point, its a handful of Good and Plenty candy or a quick stop off for a latte. Not anymore!!!

The next test will be next week when I travel for 3 days. I plan to pack some healthy snacks and water to get me through the throws of airport cuisine. Sunday will be my day to prepare three fresh, healthy meals for Pedro and the children, so that they can just take them out of the freezer and pop them into the oven while I am away. This should hopefully avoid any temptation to go for the old standbys of frozen pizza or the dreaded fast food take out.

A few things I found motivating.

First, my trainer Jennifer Winston said something I never focused on. I told her I wasn't a runner. She pointed out that literally you can be anything you want to be...so maybe I can run more than 20 minutes at a time. I have a friend in Omaha who runs cross country races, and runs more than 150 miles a week. That is dedication and motivation. I dont think I will get there.

Second, I filled out a questionnaire from Katherin Tallmadge, the dietician. She asked me to answer the question: "Is anything more important to you than your health?" Good question. People have no time to excercise because of their family, but without health, there is no family if you die. Same for job. So I guess that puts it into perspective.

Stay motivated...

I was keeping a log of my diet for the past few days. It tells me that I am still cheating. Today it was jelly beans, and a rice cake, and cold cereal. I had my three meals, but still needed more, and now that it is night, I am hungry. I thought if I ate on a regular schedule I would be OK, but alas, what am I going to do?

I put together the weight bench I bought, still a few screws loose, literally. I also bought a set of weights that I dragged to the basement and will set up tommorrow.

Still haven't gotten the kids fully involved in this lifestyle. They had pizza for dinner tonight. (That is what they usually have when Mom is working and daddy doesnt have time to make anything for all of us) Any suggestions of what I could have made them? I had some veggies, and a veggie burger. Still very hungry.

I just read with interest the most recent blog that Donna sent out. The one about Maximum Fitness magazine.

I can't understand why they have magazine for maximum fitness and not one for minimum fitness. I would think people like me who are just starting out in a workout routine would get more out of a magazine for those who are minimally fit. How about a magazine directed for those of us with a pulse?

After I worked last night, I went to the gym and my trainer worked with me for about one hour. I was so wound up after this I could not fall asleep until nearly noon. I woke up at 3 p.m., had dinner at 6 p.m. (veiggie burgers, and sauteed vegetables) and tried to get things straightened out in my room. I am now sitting down to write this blog.

I read what my brother wrote today and I concur, that once you start the easier it gets. I think having a personal trainer is really what is helping me the most. I asked my trainer to give me a set of exercises that I can do at home without any equipment and to show me a routine that I can do on a daily basis. I need to make sure that I'm not going to injure myself when I workout.

I haven't been watching my cholesterol or my blood pressure since I started this workout, but I have taken my weight and in a little over a week, according to my scale, I have lost about 6 lbs. I don't think my goal weight loss is going to be difficult. Two pounds a week does not seem like a lot to me, however, I think it will be difficult for me to do the strenuous physical activity and strength training that I need in order to beat my brother.

I've been trying to convince people I work with not to bring candy, cake, chocolate, and other things that I really shouldn't be eating, like potato chips, to work with them. They can take them to work, but please do not leave them out for me. I did have to resist going over to the x-ray department to see what snacks the boys had brought. I was wondering if anybody was following along with us and if they felt the same things that I'm feeling right now.

Maximum Fitness is a great magazine. I actually read it from cover-to-cover. Except what I initially thought were great informative articles, turned out to be 3-page advertisements for Hydroxycut or some other supplement.

Once I learned the basics of what I want to target and have established clearer goals, the language and jargon in these type of articles/mags are not so fuzzy. But actually, Maximum Fitness' new magazine is written in more lay terms [trust me, its not a plug]. I really liked it.

But you know, for those of us who can't seem to get off the couch, or out of our chairs at our 8-10 hour hip spreader jobs, I really really stress that you simply stand up. Then walk to the front door and back. Then peek outside. Then maybe the next week, walk outside and just stand there. You'll find there is a living, moving world out there.

Walk! Then your body will begin to tell you that it wants more. Trust me. I have a sit down job plus my body was implanted in my favorite couch as soon as I got home, w/ the remote. But I almost forgot how much I loved music [the older stuff, not too much of this new stuff]. Get your IPod, MP3 player, CD player, Radio, or even pull your 1984 20-pound boom box out of storage and collect 10-15 of your all-time favorite tunes and move somethin'. If your neighborhood is not too too dangerous, turn the music up to a safe level where you can feel the beat.

My other excuse was that my neighborhood was a little too dangerous to go outside. So if you feel this way keep the music at a level where you can here if someone creeps up on ya. But you'd be surprised who else is out there too, taking an interest in their health and whole well-being and maybe even beginning just as you are.

Also, usually if people see you walking or excercising outside, 7-times-out-10 the bad guy might think twice, mistaking you for someone who is in shape and can actually put a hurtin' on them. When you become a regular out in your community, you will notice that others are noticing you and if there is a change in your routine, they will inquire and possibly even look out for you.

Note: Don't feel embarrased if "The Bootycall" by Teddy Reilly or "Firecracker" by Mass Production or "Flashlight" gets you dancing in the street and you can't control yourself. Those people starring at you in their cars are just envious because they can't find the mojo to start. But those people who stare and give you the thumbs up totally understand.

Mornings now are consumed with exercise. After I get up, and get the kids to school at 7:30 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., it is time to work out. Jennifer Winston, my trainer has been coming over a couple of times a week to work out all of the different muscle groups. Even though I know that I could do it on my own (no special equiptment needed) I still don't know exactly what exercises to do and in what order. Jennifer is great with that. She is insisting that I do 40 minutes of cardio five times a week -- I am working on that. I tend to tire after about 25 minutes... but that's better than before.

You know, many people out there feel that they cannot do this. Let's face it, exercise is hard. You also get into a position where you are in no condition to do it. It's easier to just get lethargic. But trust me -- once you START, it becomes much easier. In fact, you start to feel your body and muscles again. The pain in your arms, legs, and stomach actually stimulates you to stretch and exercise more. And the time you are working out, you aren't eating...which is also good.

Having the support of my wife, Jodie helps a lot. This is especially true with the diet. My diet frankly wasn't terrible before, but I cheated - a lot. Especially at night -- I was still rummaging through the kids Halloween candy -- even the candy from Halloween 2004!! This morning for breakfast I had an egg-beater omlette, Morningstar Farms fake bacon (veggie bacon) and decaf coffee with skim milk and sugar (I suppose I could substitute Splenda, and do sometimes, but 15 calories I can live with).

I'm not taking any dietary supplements -- hoping that a balanced diet will be fine. In fact, because of my cholesterol, I am taking a statin drug, and also low dose aspirin, but that's about it.

Dinner last night was baked chicken, salad, thinly sliced potatoes baked without oil, and dessert was a low fat chocolate moose with sugar free Jello. Not quite four dove chocolates, but not bad. At about 11:30 p.m., I was a bit hungry again, but I resisted. I need to find a healty salty snack substitute for chips...any suggestions??

Bad news. I started this program on January 9 at 205 pounds, and am now 199 pounds, but was hoping for more. My goal weight (ultimately) is 170 pounds -- my IDEAL is 160 pounds. But I am not a scale watcher...results will be determined by stamina and waist size, not the scale. Ultimately, getting blood pressure down!

Funny thing happened the other day. Jeans were tight when I went with wife and kids to the Wizards game (beat 76'ers). I had NO hot dogs, fries, pizza, etc. So, I was wondering why the jeans were tight...not uncomfortable, but inhale when zipping tight. Looked at the size -- they were 2 sizes smaller than I was wearing -- NO WONDER they were tight. Goal...make THOSE jeans loose.

Not sure what progress Stuart has made yet. He is much thinner than I am (weighs less) but is built differently from me. It will be interesting to see if he has the same cravings and challenges as I do. Keep posted.

Tonight was my son Ryan's 10th birthday! This being a school night, the party with his buddies awaits another day.

But birthday cake with the family is NOW. His choice: DQ ice cream cake. My impact: 360 calories per serving. Oy.

Old me: Have another! It's a birthday. What's not to like?

New me: Enjoy a slice, then burn it off. At 9:10 p.m. Kids in bed. Either run 2.1 miles 'round the hood in a 45 degree drizzle, or rack up the bike onto the indoor trainer and keep everybody awake with the noise.

Twenty-five minutes of running and 467 calories on the heart rate monitor later, workout's in the bag.

At my age, maybe I should start listening to the stuff I tell my kids. Things like, "Work brings results." (Yes, I really do say stuff like that.) Can't argue with how it's panning out, so far.

And there's still half a DQ cake in the fridge. I'm leaving it alone.

Today was rather peaceful. Got home on time for a change. I then went to the treadmill for 30 min. Then I had breakfst of oat bran...hot...and watched this week's segment on CNN's American Morning and then off to bed. I got up at 2:30 p.m. with the dog barking. Then the kids home with, then off to the dentist for my daughter (11 y.o) for dental extraction, (just as much fun as my workout was!!) And she lost a tooth today at school. Boy will the tooth fairy be busy tonite!! I had the easy part, I had to take my 5 year old (Six next week) to Karate class, then home - a quick dinner of chicken and veggies, and shower and off to work. It is now nearly 1 a.m. in the morning, just getting into the groove of work. Taking a few minutes to write the blog for the day. I am still very sore in the pectorals - was that the workout at the gym or the CPR??

I really underestimated that little trainer of ours, Tasha Cooper. Admittedly, I didn't take her 4 ft. 6 in. frame seriously. I wanted a big burly man's man trainer...give me some incentive to tread through the snow, sleet, rain, ice, terrorist threat and fog to get to him faithfully -- and on time, ya know? And here Frank comes up w/ this woman.

Maannnn, today was my first full hour session w/ Tasha and I don't think she likes me.

Because I'm already doing my cardio most every morning at Anacostia Park, Tasha is working on my core, posture, arms and thighs. There are a few exercises that I believe she made up just to get me in tears - nonetheless, I felt it in all targeted areas. Try this at home:

Stand up straight. Start w/both feet together. Lift left leg off the floor (bending the knee). Bend your right knee as you do a sitting motion (stomach in/glutes out). Reach your left arm down and reach toward your right ankle/leg while doing the sitting motion. Do this 10 times and keep that left leg up the entire time.

Another routine looked harmless from a distance, but Tasha reminds me that I want to rid myself of the cottage cheese thighs - so I press on:

If you have the big rubber ball at home - press it between a wall and your lower back. Feet 9 inches apart and extended out/away from you. Ten pound weights in each hand. Roll down in sitting motion while keeping the ball up against the wall. Stay down. Lift weights straight forward/up to eye level. Hold. Arms down. Then roll back up into standing position. Do these 12 times. Um-hummmm you think you can handle it. You can't handle it! I could barely handle it! My thighs were burning!

I'm taking a required Phys Ed class in school and one of the final requirements is to be able to do 100 push-ups by May. Tasha tried it w/me today. I could do 3(-/+). I'm going to have to check back w/my Professor to see if she meant the boy push ups or the girl push ups. Cause if the test were today, I've failed.

Oh and I've GOT to learn all of the gym etiquette. I felt so foreign in there, really like I didn't belong. People have their cliques; they either stare at you or they toss their noses up at you when you're sure you gave the "help me I don't know what I'm doing" signal. Oh well. I'm determined to triumph my resolution, so I'll just worry about the flip-flop rule and the keep your eyes off other peoples thighs when trying to see if yours look better rule. Was that TMI? LOL

For you people interested in my smoky treat habit - its 4:37 p.m. and I've had one today. But do note, QUITTING WAS NOT MY RESOLUTION!

Well, I have had two sessions with Jennifer so far...I am starting to feel my arms and legs -- stiff but not painful. I dont expect instant results, but I am feeling a little bit better. In fact, last night, at about 1 a.m., I got out of bed just to do the "plank" - an exercise where you get into a modified push up posistion and hold it -- good for the abs. Also reading Maximum Fitness magazine for some tips on exercising -- particularly without a gym and while travelling. Even though I have access to the gym, I find that it would add an hour to my workout, between getting there, changing, working out, showering, and changing back. Home works better.

Called Stuart this morning to check up on his progress...he is working out after work. We will see who can get fit faster.

Mark wanted to remember how to exercise, I never leard it to begin with. All I can remember is 6th grade gym class, and being told to "breathe." I still don't know how. Is it in/out and repeat?

I remember when I took a cardio kick boxing class, and thinking how akward I felt and looked, and how little "streach" I had in my body. Even after a few weeks, I still wasn't able to get left and right down while looking in the mirror. It is much different at work.

Worked out yesterday, after 12 hours in the emergency department. Had to wait for the trainer to come, it was sub zero. Trying to remain motivated was hard, then trying to get to sleep after a work out. Then back to work. When I get home today, (it is now 5:20 am) I will have to work out again.

It was hard today to not eat the coffee cake that was sitting out. I do admit that I did have a handful of potatoe chips (The Dan Quayle approach to spelling) that I took from the X-ray Department, because they were there!

My wife has been great with all this, helping with making food that is healthy and pre-prepared for me to reheat at work. Now we have to try to get the kids to start eating things that are green...well, that started out green, not became green after a few days or weeks.

These eight weeks will be over soon, and I will have to try to keep this up for a lifetime. After all, there are only three ways to lose weight -- diet, exercise and disease.

I am hurting a bit today, back and sholders mostly. I don't remember the trainer working me out that much in the upper body, but I guess I did. I don't recall what I did with him today.

I am hungry all the time, but I am drinking a lot of water at work, and that is supposed to help with feeling full. All I find is I am going to the bathroom a great deal more. The new me can be found there.

Well time to go, someone is waiting for me.

Cooking Light dietitian & columnist Ellen Carroll joined Donna and me the other day in our kitchen at home. (Like, this happens all the time.) Why? If you're counting your calories, each one had better taste good.

And this does. SIX MINUTES, start to finish, and it tastes like Thanksgiving. For real.

CHICKEN L'ELLEN

One box couscous (tiny little pasta)
1-1/4 cups low fat low sodium chicken broth
One rotisserie chicken from the deli counter
8 figs, snipped and quartered
2 tablespoons crumbled blue cheese
Fresh parsley to taste

Cook the couscous in the chicken broth according to the box directions. While it's cooking, skin and cut up half the chicken into small bites. Place the skinless cut-up chicken and figs into a serving bowl, and put the rest of the chicken in the fridge for leftovers. Empty the couscous into the bowl, add the cheese, and snip in the fresh parsley. Toss and serve alongside something green. Makes 4 nice servings, probably no more than 400 calories each.

Sure beats nuking something from the freezer! Next time I'll switch out the seasonings and fruits & veg a little, maybe with some onions and garlic.

What an amazing couple of days. I am excited to get started with our strategic plan and hope that things go well. I think I know my partner pretty well? I've only been married to him for 15 years...BUT we have never taken on such a challenge together. Hope he can keep up. (I am laughing of course when I say that).

I still feel that this is an overwhelming chance to learn and grow, make positive changes in our eating habits and educate ourselves on proper exercise to help keep us fit. Life moves at a pretty hectic pace for us so I am anxious to see where we might find opportunities for change.

It's a little ironic that our first day at the gym was on Friday the 13th. We luckily didn't drop any weights on our feet or pull any muscles but we are certainly starting to feel that we have muscles in our bodies that we never knew we had. I actually love how the workouts make me feel. I know that I am doing something different to challenge my physical ability and strength which should translate into some weight loss and toning.

Mary, our trainer keeps telling me to ease my shoulders. I can't help but laugh each time she says that because all my life there has always been someone commenting on how I hold my shoulders.

My shoulders are my main stress point. I carry the weight of my world there. Whether I am worrying about my kids, my husband when he is deployed, a project or briefing at work, families that I am working with or our folk's from the 153d Airlift Wing that are deployed, my mind rests on my shoulders.

Hopefully some regular exercise, improved diet and maybe some Yoga will help me de-stress. I love the full and steady pace that my life has but keep reminding myself that its time for some change.

Well, the week in New York is over, which means the official start of the "New You" program. The holidays are a distant memory, with the credit card bills just coming in. I think that is important to remember that I didn't put on all this weight over a short period of time, so I cant expect to take it off like that...a long, slow, hard process. If losing weight was easy, then everyone would be thin and in shape.

One of the biggest challenges is making time for exercise, and making the right food choices. While there are hundreds of diet books and exercise regimes, it really comes down to doing SOMETHING and using common sense. Inertia is also a powerful force. Sometimes I think, "I am in no shape to exercise." After 20 minutes huffing and puffing on the treadmill, I feel that way especially! You just have to go and do it a little bit at a time.

So, how do you get motivated? This morning, I was up at 5:45 a.m. for my 8-year-old's indoor soccer game and a party afterwards at the local pancake house! Man those pancakes looked good -- but I had an egg beater omelet with mushrooms, (ate 3/4 of it) and some coffee with skim milk -- I gave the pancakes away! Then I came home and worked out on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Ok, 28 minutes. Alright, you got me. 26 minutes. But who is counting? Tomorrow...the full 30.

Also intimidating is the fact that, despite having worked-out at gyms and at home, I still don't know HOW to exercise. Sure, how much do you need to know to run? But other exercises are somewhat intimidating. Which body groups to work out and how? Weights, bands, balls, equipment? Hopefully, Jennifer the trainer will help me once again with this...and this time I will REMEMBER.

Stuart called me at 8 a.m. today to ask how my regimen was going. I told him I didn't need a regimen, I needed an entire battalion.

OK...I have finally caught my breath. More later -- and VOTE FOR THE TWINS -- seriously, as a former federal prosecutor, we really can't let the lobbyists win, can we?