Making Over

B. and I experienced something in the past few weeks we've tried to avoid for years.


Cable.


At home we usually stick to Netflix, our latest find from the $5 DVD bin at Wal-Mart, our documentaries, or our prized collections of Seinfeld and Family Guy (all seasons!).  But our time in Nevada reintroduced us to the world of commercial breaks, infomercials, and, worst of all, nonstop coverage of the Zimmerman circus.

I didn't miss cable.

But something we did discover was a  few forgotten shows on TLC.  Growing up, I've been sick at home enough times to learn from my mom's tivo who Stacey London and Clinton Kelly are.  I also remember watching a show called Hoarders, all about extreme cleans done to help people with packrat tendencies- turned-anxiety disorders.  The latter was on late one night at the hotel, and B. remarked that even though it was late and it wasn't exactly a gripping plot, she liked seeing the before and after.

Before and after.

Let's face it, people.  Anyone who has sobbed through Extreme Home Makeover or oggled What Not to Wear or even watched an infomercial for a workout program or weight loss pill knows:


We love the big reveal.


There's just somethig about makeovers that attracts an audience.  We eagerly await the curtain to be pulled back, revealing the new and improved so-an-so.  We chant with the mob to "move that bus!"  We are drawn to progress!

So after weeks of late late nights playing catchup on homework, prepping for a midterm, traveling to Nevada twice, choking on secondhand smoke, eating fast food and even heavier diner food, greasy breakfasts, dehydration, poor nutrition, irregular sleep, and general lethargy, I'm getting back on the horse.  Especially now that we've finished off an entire batch of christmas crinkles in one weekend.

I'm going running.

I don't expect to come out looking like Adam Levine, but I do want to feel healthier.  I'm making a running plan, I'm setting aside time to hit the gym for toning weightlifting, I'm saying no to all the carbs and sweets people bring to the office, (I had four donuts in two days - normally I can''t even stomach one) and I'm going to bed earlier to get my early run in before work.

I have 6 weeks until fall semester.

Six weeks to pull myself together and get back to my wedding weight.  I won't post a before photo, just in case some of you ate recently.  But I will take one and maybe put it on the fridge to motivate myself.  (this post alone will be good motivation)

I'm also making over another aspect of my life.  My prayers have been scattered and irregular.  My scripture study has been spotty as well.  I'm making over how I worship.  B. and I have a whole shelf of artifacts and volumes from different religions and cultures.  In addition to reading the Bible more often, I'm going to delve into our Koran a few times a week, as well as our Tao Te Ching.  I love hearing and reading about how different people approach God, and I think learning more about those different perspectives will bring a new depth and novelty to my own relationship with the Almighty.

So this is it, guys!  I'm remaking myself.  I'm running, reading, sleeping and eating better.

Starting...

...now.

See you in 6 weeks.


When was your last makeover?  What are you doing to self-improve?


S