End of the first week ... a good try.

It's really interesting how the weather outside can invigorate or dampen your spirits.

I am not good about exercising in the cold. Really awful about it, especially when I do it alone. I'm not all that keen about going out in the dark or when it's raining, either.

So the last few days I didn't get out like I wanted. Either I felt a little bad, worked late or just lacked the motivation. Which in turn makes me need to exercise harder on the weekend than I seem to be able to during the week.

Remember those lofty goals I set for myself just a few days ago? Those weekly minimums? I've learned that it may take me a 100 days to actually get to that "minimum." I might have put larger expectations on myself than I thought.

Days four to seven I worked out exactly once. Wednesday I walked a mile and then rode my bike another five miles.

My totals for the entire week:

• Walking: 10 miles (out of 15)
• Riding: 15 miles (out of 30)
• Sculpting: 40 minutes (out of two hours)

When I got on the scale at the end of the first week, I lost a total of one pound (out of 27 I want to lose). Twenty six more pounds to go in 97 days. I am still thinking it is feasible.

When I was reporting my progress to my Weight Watchers meeting last night, some eyes bugged out when I retold them the story about the standards I had set for myself. My first week's attempt was pretty good, they told me. Some of them wouldn't even exercise like that in a week themselves.

I didn't get frustrated after hearing that, although I did help myself to an extra serving (or two) of a new WW bar flavor. It's the end of the week! Starting tomorrow, I thought to myself, I'll work extra hard.

As long as it's not cold, dark or rainy.