New Beginnings

Sometimes you just have to start anew. This week, I started a new job, a new diet (again) and a new exercise program.

First, the new job. I started Monday as the Communications Coordinator for K-State Agricultural Economics. My duties include public relations and marketing for the department, including graphic design, writing, website management and event planning. I've got great hours, as it's a 3/4 time position. This leaves me time for freelancing now and, later on, for spending time with kids. I'm liking everything so far, but of course, there's always that awkward phase of a new job where you're clueless. That will be the case for some time. Nevertheless, it's fantastic to be back on campus.

Next, the exercise program. With my new job, I get access to the K-State Rec Complex (for a fee, of course). Plus, I'm getting off at 4 p.m. -- the same as Cody. We meet at the Rec and exercise for an hour. We've decided that this will now be part of our day. A non-negotiable part of our day. So far, I've gone three days in a row, which is quite a feat for Little Miss Exercise-Averse.

Finally, the diet. While I've tried doing Weight Watchers online off and on for the past couple of years, I found it was too easy to convince myself that it was OK if I fell off the wagon. So, with Cody's encouragement, I attended my first meeting in Wamego tonight. I was amazed to find a packed room with people of all ages, shapes and sizes. I had always been afraid to go to a meeting because I figured I'd walk in and be the "small" one who garnered the resentment of all of the folks who had much more weight to lose. After all, my starting weight is some folks' target weight. However, I know how much I gained in grad school and over the course of my employment post-Alumni Association. A lot of it was stress induced, but then again, a lot of it was just plain laziness. I was inspired to hear how much the participants had lost. One lady lost 110 pounds! Holy cow. Others, 30 or 40 pounds. How reassuring to see real people from my community who have actually achieved their goals ... not just the "poster child" types on the website. Also, in counting points the last several days, I've found that it's not that hard, it just requires discipline.

So, there's my update. It had been a while since my last post, but I've had lots of inquiries about my new job and I thought I'd fill everyone in!