Today I had my first workout at the Taunton YMCA. It has been 16 years since I belonged to a gym. YIKES!! I have been walking and cycling on and off for those 16 years, but it's not the same as belonging to a gym. I was able to use the elliptical machine for a total of 15 minutes. I burned 190 calories and got my heart rate up to 140. I've got a long way to go.

Last Friday, November 6th was my 48th birthday and I made a birthday resolution. I resolve to change my eating and exercise habits to be as healthy as I can be. I have also challenged myself to lose 100 pounds and stop taking blood pressure medications by my 50th birthday. I have quit drinking coffee and soda. I've been vegetarian for 21 years, so now I'm vegan, having cut out dairy and eggs. I have cut way back on drinking. I have begun to eat whole foods, cutting out as much processed food as possible.

Part of my decision was the health problems I already have, hypertension, 3/4" height loss, recurring foot injuries due to being overweight. The other things that have influenced my decision are two books, Skinny Bitch by Rory Freedman and Kim Barnouin and The China Study by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Campbell II. Real eye-openers, I highly recommend them.

There was a time when I wanted to live to be 120 years old. I don't so much care about quantity as much as quality now. If I'm to live a long life, it has to be a healthy one. So, here I go.

Join me, won't you?