I met with my surgeon for my first visit on Thursday, and got the nuts and bolts of how this is going to go down.

I am on a three-month track.

This means that I need to have all my requirements met by the end of the second month.

I went in, and they gave me a binder with all of my “stuff” that I needed. A listing of labs that I need; diagnostic studies; the head shrinker that I need to confess all my sins to; the nutritionist.

And you would think that I would be happy about this…but for some reason I had it in my mind that I had six months to “get my mind right” for this lifestyle change…and now I have 8 weeks to get it right.

Alright.

I see.

I had it in my mind that right after the appointment, I was gonna come home, make the calls and get all this done in a 24 hour time frame.

Me being the over-achiever, and all.

But I didn’t.

I took the afternoon and read everything that was in that binder from cover to cover…and I realized that I can really do this.

No really.

I can do this.

I looked at the 1800 calorie diet…and I am thinking half of this stuff I eat already….just way too much of it. So I’ve reviewed the shopping list and after eating a Lean Cuisine, I went to get some groceries (Note: That’s a victory within itself because I always end up grocery shopping on an empty stomach…which is the mortal sin for dieters worldwide).

Got the goods. Check.

I went to Barnes and Noble and got me a new journal for tracking my meals and a new book.

Bite it and write it. Check.

Got some new fragrant waxworks for the cove.

Aromatherapy. Check.

Took the dog for a 4 mile walk around Lake Montebello…and I didn’t give up after the first 2 miles.

Feel the burn, honey…and push right through it. Check.

Got a great night’s sleep…productive at work…ate a sensible dinner tonight of a ¾ cup of rice and sautéed ‘shrooms with snow peas and a lovely dessert of yogurt and mixed berries.

Who would have known that a serving size can actually be filling if you’re not woofing it down in 2 minutes?

I reflect on this day and the few that has preceded it…thinking that I need to get ready, and get ready FAST. I’ve done some amazing feats in my short time on this planet…and being anything less than triumphant is not even an option. Better choices + Better decisions=Better results. Remembering that food is just a source of energy….true fulfillment comes from a love of self.

I am sitting on my porch…and rather than smashing a pepperoni pizza and some breadsticks…I am enjoying something that is waaaay more filling.

The pleasure of my own company.

Does it get any better than that?