Ever since I watched the Julie & Julia movie, I've been interested in learning to cook French from Child's cookbook. I bought her Mastering the Art of French Cooking, Volume I. I tried a few recipes. Then, I read Child's book My Life in France. That book really got me going, after reading about her food experiences, and all the labor that went into her cookbook. Now I'm reading Julie Powell's book which spawned the movie, of her experiences cooking Child's recipes. And I'm making several recipes a week from Child's cookbook, as well as immensely enjoying "The French Chef" cooking show which Child did in the '60s. So we are eating French almost every day, savoring the delicious leftovers on the off days.

Despite the French Paradox, however, my weight has been creeping up from all this gorgeous eating. It has gotten higher than it's ever been (DOH!). The problem is that I'm not burning enough calories. Since I want to keep cooking and eating the French foods, I've decided to start exercising again.

Six months ago I bought and tried the Slim in 6 program. I loved the challenge and how it made me feel, and my husband loved how toned my bod was looking. It's pretty intensive, working out 6 days a week. I had to stop exercising over the summer as one of my discs was trying to slip out of my spine. But after acupuncture for 6 weeks this Fall, my back seems to be completely healed. So I'm re-starting Slim in 6. If I'm able to keep it up, I will have finished a total body makeover by New Year's!

This is Week 1. I started out at 171 lbs., with a waist of 34 instead of my usual 31. My goal is to get down to 145 so I can wear a size 10 again, the size I've been all my life since high school. On Monday after my first workout, I was down to 169.5. Today, after my second workout, I'm down to 168.5. I'm continuing to eat whatever I want and enjoying the French meals. I'm in Phase 1 of Slim in 6, called Start It Up, 24 mintues long. It's supposed to get easy after a week, then I'm to move up to Phase 2, Ramp It Up. We'll see if I can do this throughout the holidays! Already I'm feeling great.