Do you drink? 

I’m not talking about a nip here or a sip there I’m referring to really pounding it down. I know a lot of people who really shy away from discussing this, but I think it’s about time people in this town sit down and really take stock of this important matter, especially where your health is concerned.

I’m gonna let you in on a little secret — I’m a drinker, and I’m not the least bit ashamed to admit it. I used to be very private about it, but now that I’m giving my total health an overhaul, I’m happy to share everything.

I never used to stray from my tried and true favorite liquid of choice — until recently that is. With my quest to get healthier and regain my girlish figure, I’ve added a new cocktail to my regime, and I’m feeling and seeing the results much faster than I would’ve without it.

Before I divulge that, however, all this drinking has gotten me to thinking about what’s important to me — I mean really important, and what I’m going to do in both my actions and mindset to make it happen.

I’ve always been a list person, even way back when as a young girl. You don’t think I was going to forget to get Barbie’s camper tuned up every 4,000 miles do you? Those lists were invaluable to me even back then. 

As I grew, my lists changed and grew with me. Whether it was something that I needed to accomplish for school, take care of at work or now remind myself about while multitasking my way through life raising 8 kids, without a list, it would never get done — especially while I’m trying to get back into my size 6 jeans. (ok, size 8 would be just dandy)

I’m now finishing up the fourth month of my journey to shed 25 pounds, and one of the ways I’ve knocked off my first 12 pounds is by keeping a list! (And while we’re on the subject of lists, if you practically live with your laptop attached to your fingertips like I do, you might want to try using a virtual corkboard list such as www.corkboardme.com, where you can keep lists right on your computer on virtual sticky notes).

Now, what do lists and weight loss have to do with one another? For some people, not much. For me, however, it’s my way of not forgetting to drink — and heavily too!

Before you all get the wrong idea and think I’m some type of lush, let me explain, as this has nothing to do with one of my great loves — pinot grigio! I’m referring to drinking water — 10 glasses of water a day. And it doesn’t stop there. When I’m not in the bathroom in between ounces, I’ve also become a big believer in drinking 1-2 glasses of brewed green tea daily as well. (I prefer mine iced, in case anyone cares). 

I didn’t make resolutions at the beginning of the New Year, but I did make a few lists. One of those was my “Daily and Weekly Health” checklist. This includes drinking my 10 glasses of water, 2 cups of green iced tea, and making sure I eat at least 2–3 servings each of lima beans and stewed tomatoes throughout the week (I refer to this combo as gruel!) but Dr. Oz and several other health experts tout these things for improving your overall health. So what the heck ... with a little salt and pepper, it’s doable.

I’m halfway to my goal of losing 25 lbs, and I know the second half of this excursion is going to be far more difficult than the first few months. I definitely feel much more spry (ooh, that makes me sound like I’m an old woman)! How about spunky — frisky even — so I’m going to stay the course, and when I have that simple reminder to drink right in front of me on my computer list, it’s practically guaranteed to get done.

On the days that I don’t feel like hitting the treadmill or eating my Special K or bowl of lima bean gruel, I’m at least grabbing my fanciest goblet and filling it to the brim with good, old-fashioned H2O — 10 times a day.

I raise my glass and toast all of you who are making healthier choices in your lives as well. I’m not saying I’ll never eat Oreos with a chaser of delightful Pinot ever again, but keeping weight off for me is going to be a lifelong commitment of smarter choices — one I’m definitely going to keep even if I have to drink all day long to do so! Cheers!