Getting fit again...

I've had a revelation over the past couple of weeks... I need to be in control of my health again. I have struggled for several years with lupus and never was a very active person to begin with. I'm hoping by getting active and beginning to eat better things, I can feel in control once more, and in turn less afraid of what the future might hold.

As many of you know I take a cocktail of pills for my condition and I also had a difficult and scary pregnancy because of it. I have a clotting disorder along with my lupus that makes it particularly likely for me to suffer a stroke or worse, so I am constantly on blood thinners. I feel like if I focus on my diet more maybe I can treat some of these ailments (or at least feel a lot healthier) through nutrition. I am so very thankful for modern technology and medicine, but if I can help myself naturally, I think it's time I do.

For now here is what I'm undertaking.

1) Exercise 1-2x/week (very soon to be at least 2x/week). Last week I did an hour of Zumba and this week I rode a bike for 2 miles. Considering I have done ZERO activity for at least a year now (well besides growing and raising twins :P) this is huge for me :)
2) I'm beginning to phase out most animal protein in my diet. Le Sigh. I'm a foodie and always have been. I've always eaten whatever I want and been blessed with high metabolism. But I'm sure my arteries are getting clogged from all the fat and red meat and sugars I ingest. So I'm taking this one slowly as it will be the most difficult for me. I've decided I will make a conscious effort to avoid animal protein except for seafood, but for the time being if something slips in, I won't worry too much. Any improvement is better than what I'm consuming now.
3) DRINK. MORE. WATER. I love my SodaStream and it's so much better than high fructose corn syrup from the store, and I'm not ready to give soda up! But I will try to have a glass of water before a glass of soda now. I think I'll also take up buying Pelligrino. There's just something about fizzies that makes every drink that much better to me.
4) Increase (raw) vegetable intake, in as many different colors as possible.

I have a long way to go but I feel like this is a start. I want to be around as long as possible for my twinkies and I'm tired of living in the fear that I might drop dead any time (I know, I'm bring dramatic).