Jen is still struggling with getting motivated to exercise but says having junk food in the house that she can't touch has helped her.

Wednesday, February 20

We went to our usual restaurant tonight for a little celebratory family dinner. The maitre d' is getting strict with me now. I wasn't given a wine glass or a dessert fork! Also, I swear my dinner portions were smaller than usual! I need all the strictness I can get at this point though, so thanks, Perry!

Friday, February 22

Most people clear their kitchens of all junk foods when they go on a diet but I've discovered that I have to stock naughty foods in the house to keep me from eating them. It's a comfort thing. If I know there's something there, then I usually don't want it. If I know there is nothing in the house I tend to get these desperate cravings that won't go away until I have the naughty food, usually in excess. So there's now a little junk stash in the kitchen to keep the cravings at bay.

Monday, February 25

I finally ran out of excuses and went to Marathon Melissa's house tonight. I haven't been since the night of the lunges — my butt has only just recovered! We had a good speed walk along Shelly Bay again and even did a few little jogs.

"Doesn't it feel great to just let go and run?" she chirped as she bounded ahead of me.

"Yeah, but it feels better to stop."

This response came a good ten minutes later when I had regained the capacity to speak. We wound up the evening with some light weights, sit-ups and stretches. It was a good evening and as much as I tease her, she's a great motivator.

Tuesday, February 26

I've been given some really good pep talks after my last, rather dismal, column.

One lady suggested I tell myself I only have to do 20 minutes of exercise a day as that would be less daunting than just going out to exercise for some open-ended time period.

Then, if I'm feeling good, I can keep going. That was a great suggestion as the worst part for me is getting started. Once I get moving I actually enjoy it sometimes but it's too easy not to go at all.

By the way, the junk stash is still intact!