In looking back over my week, I see a big pitfall that I don't want to bring into this week. Sugar has been a big setback for me. It starts out innocently enough, just a taste. How does it go, though, from "a taste" to eating a second helping so quickly?

I really do want to get healthy, especially in the diabetes area; but why am I eating so carelessly? What I want and what I am doing are incompatible; it takes such focus to stay on top of it all.

What are my goals for this week? Do not take "a taste" unless I am sure I want seconds and continue on with my journey to good health.

I fell into bed at 9:30 last night. I was every kind of tired---emotionally, physically, mentally. It takes energy to fight natural urges all day, but the day ended and a new day has begun.

I will begin where I left off yesterday in the basement. I have new recruits coming in to help; hopefully that will give me a fresh look on the overwhelmingly bleak situation. Right now the basement looks worse than it did yesterday. I'm just taking a day at a time working until my body says, "Stop!"

Thank goodness God only put twenty-four hours in a day!

Well, I have my work clothes on (the same clothes I walked in---tank top and shorts) and am ready to tackle the basement. I think I scared my husband when I told him my plan as he was speechless. I don't know if it was because he couldn't believe I was actually going to go down the basement.......or, if he is afraid I might throw something away that is "valuable"! (It's probably both!)

Regardless, I am ready to be proactive in finding a solution to my preoccupation with food. I know my "hunger" begins in my mind, not in my stomach, however...."the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I have to stop eating out of desire and let my body experience true hunger.

God's ways are simplistic. Why do I make it so complicated?

I love recipes and am forever looking for the perfect.............you name it, I'm looking for it.

Even though recipes are something I enjoy, I think there are better things for me to do on this journey to good health. For instance, last night I found the perfect Chiffon Cake and the perfect Sponge Cake. (Of course, now I want to make them to verify my find!) This is not good, (and I don't even know if it is normal).

I have many basement projects I have been putting off since we moved in-----cleaning, sorting, reorganizing, pitching, etc. I think that is the direction I will be putting my efforts. It will certainly keep my thoughts off of food!

I had an interesting visit with the occupational doctor who checked me over for my new job. He was such a genuine person. It would be a good thing to have all doctors so real.

He was sympathetic with my weight problem as he, too, battles weight. He is from a family of heavy people and works so hard to keep himself at just fifty pounds overweight. (I thought he looked fine, but I'm sure he is going by the scale.)

There is not a good future for diabetics; he zeroed in on that area of my health problems. If I ever feel like quitting my exercise program, may his words ever ring in my ears.

My brother asked me an interesting question this weekend, "How long have you been dieting, Linda?" It seemed to come out of the blue, so I hesitated. He continued, "Has it been twenty years?" I then had to admit it had been more like thirty-five years. He gave me the old Dr. Phil comeback, "How's it been working for you?" Of course, that question needed no answer.

How has it been working for me? That has been ringing in my ears for two days. It's obvious I struggle in that area. He thinks I need to let go of the food-focus and throw my scale away! He says food is not the problem; my focus is the problem.

I have alot to think about. How do I change my focus?

I went through yesterday thinking it was Friday, and no one corrected me when I kept referring to the next day as Saturday. It wasn't until I said to my husband, "This sure doesn't feel life Friday" that I realized it wasn't! Have you ever had days like that?

This does feel like Friday, and I'm glad it is. I always look forward to the weekend. It seems people are more available then, myself included. I feel too often I get caught up in "my world" during the week, missing opportunities to reach out to others. (I battle the great trap of isolationism and fight the urge to give into it.)

It is wonderful to look back on the week and see accomplishments. Not just personal ones, but accomplishments that will count for eternity. I don't want to miss the mark.

Days that I can call my own are few, but this might be one of them. It's nice to do things that are not required once in awhile, (though I do find routine is what works best for me).

I like getting up with the birds; the neighborhood sleeps while I walk in semi-darkness. It is a time that I pray and give praise all at once enjoying the new day before it has dawned.

What is there about experiencing something before its time? Nothing is too daunting, a clean slate awaits as a new day begins. What will I fill my slate with today?

I walked in a light rain this morning. (I almost went back to bed!) I'm glad I pushed myself---my heart didn't care that it was raining!

Today is a better day, because yesterday was a better day. It's funny how one influences the other. Today's successes are tomorrow's rewards---that is something I need to remember when I feel like overeating.

My focus too easily gets off of the big picture. Sometimes I wonder if I'm afraid of succeeding. Why do I do what I know is harming me?

What a beautiful, well-needed rain we had last night. It began lightning again when I walked this morning, so I cut it short. The birds stopped singing, so I stopped walking! I felt they knew alot more about God's pattern of creation than I did.

I don't feel I'm back in the heartfelt groove of my healthy eating plan yet. It is always difficult for me to get back on track when I once deviate. I do well until my second, and last, meal. I might be letting myself get too hungry before I eat. I will do some experimenting.

Freedom is a wonderful thing. It is the essence of my journey to good health.

My days might be more challenging as I begin a job making salads and desserts for a local retirement center. My focus will have to stay on my journey to good health, not letting my guard down for a minute. (I love desserts!) It is only parttime so shouldn't be too all-consuming.

My walk this morning went better than usual with little pain in my knee. I am encouraged. I still iced the area and hope I can stay ahead of the problem. For some reason, there always seems to be an obstacle to overcome when I try to embrace an exercise program. I'm sure part of it is my body resisting this new way of life!

I look forward to each new day; my cup runneth over.

Boy, did I blow it yesterday. I started out with my small serving but, unfortunately, ended up eating another. Having seconds is absolutely outlawed! I felt terrible the rest of the day; it wasn't worth it. Hopefully, a lesson well learned!

My walk on this cool early morning was so pleasant; not a soul in sight, only the singing and chirping of birds. I cleared my head and got ready for a new day! I like that about God's twenty-four hour plan, always allowing for a new beginning. I learned that second portion was not nearly as good as the first one.

I have a big decision to make this weekend and will be in extra prayer about it. My focus will not be on food, but on doing what is best.

I am icing my knees; my walk was harder on them today for some reason. My meniscus is torn and will hopefully heal on its own. I think having extra pounds for so long has caused damage to my overall body.

I see these dear elderly souls, who are practically confined to a sitting position, when I deliver Ensure, Boost, etc., to them. I know that is what my body will be like if I don't take my weight off and get healthy. Little by little my body is starting to break down from the years of abuse; but the wonderful thing is, it is not too late! For that I sing a constant praise to God.

My next venture is yoga. My girls love their class and have been encouraging me to join them. I know my body needs the stretching and utilization it typically does not get on an everyday basis. Life is a precious gift; I want to do my part.

Today has been so enjoyable, alot of hustle and bustle in the kitchen. It smells like Thanksgiving! I haven't done much cooking since starting my healthful eating program, for fear I would eat too much, so getting back into the swing of things has been "a good thing."

I am often adding something new to my routine to broaden my interests. (I think it will keep me out of the rut of overeating.) It's amazing how much extra time I seem to have; it's like my day has been extended, along with my energy. My husband and kids are in awe at the new things I am trying. (I am too!)

"From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place He watches all who live on earth---He who forms the hearts of all, Who considers everything they do."

My "triple threat" has been reduced to a "double threat", so that's progress. The doctor was pleased with my blood work and weight, but wants to see continual progress every three months. I need the pressure.

I looked into a job today---I don't know if that would help or hinder my weight-loss journey. It seems to take me all day to get all my "i's" dotted and "t's" crossed. My interview is Friday; I'm a little nervous that I'm getting in over my head. I have decided on a number for an hourly wage; if it is under that number, I'm not taking the job. I won't work Sundays, either, so that might be the deal-breaker. I'm at peace either way.

My portion sizes are my biggest struggle right now, but I love everything else about my new eating program. I can see why the success rate is so high in keeping the weight off. There is something to be said about simplicity.

This is another day I chose not to weigh myself.

What is it about scales that has so much power over us? I've even broken doctor's appointments because of the dreaded words, "Step on the scale." I know I'm doing many things right but still think the scale is the final authority. It has become too powerful, so I am going to give some space between it and me.

I want to stay positive, though knowing this is not a quick-fix program. Of course, I would love it if I could lose ten pounds a week and have the scale become my new best friend; but reality says......

Thanks goodness it's Monday. (That's a new one!) I'm glad to be at the beginning of the week and back on solid ground. "Joy cometh in the morning....."

The reunion went well in some ways and was disappointing in others. I didn't want to address the backyard food table, so I stayed inside most of the time only putting two items on my plate, (although I had several appetizers earlier). Because of this, I missed many opportunites to visit with my relatives who sat outside. I was so afraid I would start overeating and hitting the dessert table that I isolated myself. (I had heard there was fresh Lemon Meringue Pie, for one thing!)

So, I feel I did the best I could with such a big event thrown at me so early in my new weight-loss program. I did eat more than I would have if I had been home, so I'm thankful to be back in my safe routine. There will always be some kind of celebration to deal with; and, hopefully, I will do even better the next time. This journey through life is a process. "As for God, His way is perfect....."

I have my first doctor's appointment (on Wednesday) since I started My Journey To Good Health. I had blood work done last week for this appointment and am excited to see the results. I was eating wrong, not exercising, and heavier when I had earlier blood work done and was put on the "triple-threat list"-----blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar were all too high, (not to mention my weight!). I hope getting up at 5:30 every morning and walking two miles is paying off. How can it not?

Well, this is where the rubber meets the road---a family reunion. This is where I will have to put my money where my mouth is, where the proof is in the pudding, where the wheat is separated from the chaff.

It will be a three-day eating frenzy where everyone is bringing their best dish, (or dishes!). I was always in there refilling my plate with the best of them. But now, a new day has dawned in my life----or has it? This is the test of all tests.

Thank goodness for my cousin who introduced me to this new lifesyle; she will be there as well. She told me we could be a support for each other, so we are going into this scary situation with a plan; a plan on passing the test!

The weekend was a little hard, but I feel good about my choices. I haven't lost any weight since Friday's weigh-in but know rapid weight-loss isn't the answer. I need time to adjust to this new way of eating, and so does my body.

There is a euphoric peace that is propelling me through the day, even in my hunger, as I stay within the eating program's boundaries. My body, both mentally and physically, is responding to the rest I'm giving it from randomly dining on too much food. I have caused damage by overeating, but I can now cause a healing to begin as I reverse the old direction of my life.

I look forward to my continued journey to good health. Each new day my body will thank me for my good stewardship.