After reading about a billion blogs (count may be a bit off) and thinking over and over, “I gotta do this”, I managed to overcome my typical procrastination long enough to create one. Well, I overcame it a couple of times, but couldn’t seem to get past the Blogger sign-in sheet.

So, what’s my blog about? Whatever pops into my head. Literally. The impetus came from a challenge issued between friends to workout 200 times before the next MegaConference. See, I have been creeping up and down the size chart for the past 10 years, and have had about enough of the whole keeping-clothes-in-every-possible-size-just-in-case-I-gain-or-lose-weight scenario. My closet is stuffed with clothes – but I can only wear about 10% of it at any one time. The size 10s hang there mocking me with their promise of stylish sveltness – while the 20s hang there daring me to eat that carton of Moose tracks.

Enough, already!

Way back in 1999 and 2000 I managed to lose 75 pounds (a chunk of it pregnancy weight, another chunk of it oreos-by-the-sleeve weight) and kept it off for about 6 minutes before I got preggers, again. So, I know I can do it. What it required the last time – and I am using all my powers of magic thinking to think it just might work this time, too – was total dedication to the elliptical trainer. Walking 4 miles a day doesn’t budge my molasses metabolism. Nope. This body requires full-on boredom to kick into gear before my mother’s “You aren’t working hard enough” mantra will be replaced by “Hey! This is work! I have earned an increase in metabolism.”

So, I am reaquainting myself with said elliptical trainer. And, as the MegaChallenge 200 would indicate, I will have 200 meetings with my new best friend this year. Well, it may vary a bit. The official rules are: 200 workouts in whatever form you consider meaningful to you. If walking from the back of the parking lot is a lot of exercise from your vantage point, count it! If you regularly run marathons, well then you may have to do a wee bit more before you chart it.

Oh yeah! There is a chart!! No, nothing like those keep track of every calorie, stride, and ounce charts. Each time you move, in a way that is meaningful to you, you jot the date onto the chart. Do it 200 times in a year and you meet the challenge. I will try to get proficient enough at blogging to post the chart. In the meantime, all you need is something with 200 spaces to jot down the dates. Or, if you prefer, 200 objects and two containers. Every time you move, you get to move an object from the “to do” jar to the “done” jar.

Oh – and because I can’t have the whole blog be about memememememe (I’m waaaay too neurotic to ignore everyone else for an entire entry!!) here is a link to the soapbox of the day. This is the MCIL (Memphis Center for independent Living) Journal. As of right now, these folks have been sitting in the Tennessee Governor’s office for 11 days in protest of the massive TennCare cuts (323,000 people will be cut completely from their coverage, and another 300,000 are facing reduced benefits). I am amazed at the lack of coverage that this effort has received, because these folks are speaking up for everyone who uses any form of insurance to assist with medical expenses.

Long vent short: if Tennessee succeeds in setting precedent with their new limits and formularies, do you really think it is a very long jump before the HMOs jump on the bandwagon?? I don’t know about you, but I have had months where I needed more than 4 prescriptions. And I would prefer my doctor have access to the whole range of medical options when s/he is determining my care needs. What if I have a bad reaction to the version of the medication that is in the formulary? I shouldn’t have to go through an appeal with a bunch of business majors to get the meds I need.

So, welcome to my blog (even if it is only me reading it!)