Admit it. There’s something in your life that you would be better without. I KNOW that there are LOTS of things in my life that I could do away with. I have come to the conclusion (strictly personal opinion, here) that our vices keep us from realizing our full potential. They weigh us down, and stress us out (whether we realize it or not). So why don’t we DO something about it? I think that the first step to treating, and gradually solving a problem, is to admit that it’s a problem in the first place. 
So, here I go: I have a shopping addiction. I like to shop. It makes me feel better…for a minute. Then I get the bills and the guilt and I wonder if it’s really worth it. IT’S NOT. So how do we remove these vices from our lives? I think that admission is the first step toward healing. I think the next step is to figure out why. I’ve been listening to Dave Ramsey’s audio book, Total Money Makeover. I was happy to find that he recognizes that we all 
have vices, and you have to DEAL with those vices to change. So that’s what I’m doing. I honestly feel like a gigantic weight has been lifted off me since I realized that I was in control of the situation. The realization that my spending (and credit card balances) had taken control of me was a little hard to swallow, but now that I’ve recognized the problem, I can FIX it. Not just treat it through minimum payments. That got me thinking (which can be very dangerous sometimes!)…if I can make a major change in my spending habits, and live like no one else, then why can’t I do the same thing to other areas of my life? THAT really got me thinking. If you’ve been following my blog (first of all, BLESS YOU!), you know that I am a recently converted vegetarian. Although my reasons morph daily, and I continue to quest for more knowlege on the subject, I am sticking to my guns. I am also trying to eat as close to vegan/natural/organic as I can. It’s hard. I LOVE Peeps, Zingers, Ding Dongs and Ben & Jerry. But they’re bad for me, bad for my future children (when we get to that point). So I’m giving them up. This is good. But hard. Yup. It’s painful, and so is the money thing. But I’m strong…and I KNOW that I can do it. This applies to other areas, too….like sleep…yup, sleep! I could sleep for 12-14 hours if I let myself. BUT I need to exercise to become skinny. I’ve been doing really good with that one.
I have actually reached the point where I ENJOY exercise. You heard me right. I ENJOY EXERCISE. Weird. I think that the key to this for me was finding exercise that I look forward to…like my barre workouts (Squeeze, Tracy Anderson Method, Exhale, Bar Method, Fluidity, etc.), my Kettlenetics set and P.I.N.K. Fitness. But these all cost MONEY. OOPS. So I looked through my GIGANTIC collection last night and figured out something interesting: I can do a different workout every day for 60 days and NEVER repeat one. That’s a little scary. So I’m done spending money on workouts for a bit. I’m determined to get ALL of my vices under control…except my penchant for old movies. That one can stay where it is. I just LOVE Cary Grant!
I just remind myself that it’s taking it one day at a time, one decision at a time. If I can remember that, I will be in control and moving in the right direction. Most importantly, I’ve been honest with myself (and the world of people who read my blog), which is a HUGE step. The next step is taking all of this realization and putting it to good use: eat better, save more and EXERCISE my brain AND my body. I’ll get there. It just takes time. And admission is the FIRST step to recovery.
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If you aren’t careful, you are going to get so perfect people are going to start worshiping you! ha!