I was traveling last week. A much needed vacation from work and life responsibilities. A trip to Moab, Utah, with friends seemed to be the perfect prescription for refreshment. A week of good weather, trail riding in off-road vehicles, and the fellowship of friends, what more could you ask for?

I did however, have one concern: How could I maintain my health plan? I mean really, they're all going to want to go out to eat. As a vegetarian, I've discovered dining out is a challenge on my health plan--unless we're talking breakfast. There are travel days. Could I get my meals in like I'm supposed to? How could I stay on my health plan without becoming an imposition to my friends and feel like a party pooper?

I just got back from my daughter's school where her first grade teacher was having "Doughnuts with Dads." Six weeks ago, when I first heard about it, I was excited. I love my daughter. I love doughnuts. Hang out for a few minutes with my daughter in her classroom--showing off her work, eating doughnuts... It seemed like the perfect combination.

Four weeks ago I started my health reformation and new diet plan. And this morning as I was getting dressed, I contemplated if I should even go. I don't want to be antisocial. I don't want to seem ungrateful or appreciative. And when everyone is eating doughnuts may not be the best time to explain the finer points of my diet plan.

So that got me reading and researching. The idea of 21 days of a certain task leading to a new habit being formed, is largely a myth. The myth comes from the research of plastic surgeon, Maxwell Maltz, who in the 1950s noticed a pattern among his patients. He wrote that he noticed it took patients about 21 days to become accustomed to their new face, or after an amputation, about 21 days for the patient to adjust to their new situation.

Some weeks ago, my wife and I decided to get control of our health. When we got married, I weighed in at about 190 pounds. Twenty years later I stepped on the scale and it coughed and muttered, "One at a time please!" That's when I decided enough was enough. About the same time, a friend of mine sent me a book about being more healthy. The junction of her care and my concern, coupled with my wife's personal desire to change her lifestyle, put me over the top. I came face to face with the reality that I don't sleep well. I have aches and pains. I can't keep up with my kids. My blood pressure has been borderline high. I often need or want a nap to get through my day. I realized, I was getting by, but I wasn't really living.