In Need of a Mantra  "Me First" was my mantra through the first
part of the year.  ME.  My kids, my family, the dirty dishes,
the computer, work, dirty laundry and pretty much everything
else always came before me.  They didn't really come before me,
but they certainly came before any effort on my part to
exercise.  Deciding to commit to losing weight meant that I
really had to shift my priorities.  The mantra served me well
and kept me on track.  In the morning, I wouldn't do the dishes
or play with the kids until I'd done my mandatory daily 20
minutes of something - usually a Jillian DVD.  I didn't ignore
the kids by any means and they were fed and clothed and hugged
and cuddled, but I didn't sit down and join in their play.
 Instead they played on their own till I got my act together.
 Afterwards, I'd feel so dang pleased with myself for doing my
self-imposed torture and the day would officially begin.  Going
to the gym with a friend shifted that morning oh-so-easy-to-
procrastincate routine to an earlier t