Three birds are on a wire and two decided to leave. How many are left?

Three.

There’s a big difference between making a decision and taking action, as I’ve learned in January and now into February. To be honest, this decision scares me a little. I feel older. My ankle hurts some. I get hungry. I am lazy. Can I actually get back to running and back to being healthy – and running one more marathon?

I know I can, but it’s going to take dedication. Discipline – getting up earlier, getting on the workout gear, and then getting outside to get it done.

My first goal is to shed about 45 more pounds. It’s not a goal to do before the running begins, but it’s my top priority goal as I work back into running – which means I have to put down the fork, ditch the beer and booze and pizza and overeating. It’s hard – those are all things I like.

But it’s not really hard. Living with cancer is hard – this is living on a diet and doing what I know I should do. For the past couple of weeks, I’ve been really good on my diet, save a few beers (Gasp!). I’ve been having a smoothie for breakfast and lunch: 60 percent veggies and 40 percent strawberries, apples, and blueberries. One big scoop of whey protein powder and a bit of almond milk… damn good and filling!

This week I’m dedicated to the diet and to walking five miles every day. It’s a great way to start the day, helps me test my ankle, and gets me used to getting up and moving. In a couple of weeks I’ll be back to walking/running – something I’m looking forward to. My ankle feels pretty good and I hope it continues to stay strong and tolerates the motion.