It doesn't seem possible that it is already Thursday. In just a few days I will officially be a year older--that doesn't seem possible either!

In my melancholy moments I look back over all the years I have been saved and wonder what I did with them. I try not to camp on thoughts like that, but it is good to visit them once in awhile. I could be doing so much more (for His Kingdom).

God's Word is precious--I know of God's love, and I also know of His holiness. There is no room for excuses.

I am reeling from a stomachache this morning. I ate the wrong kind of food yesterday and am paying for it today.

Consequences are good that way; I'll think twice before I do it again! It's funny (in a sad sort of way) how I kept eating when I knew there would be ramifications. Sometimes I just have to shake my head at myself; I just don't understand.

The pull of the flesh is a constant. I know God loves me; but He, too, must be shaking His head by now.

Today I have a hair appointment--every six weeks. I love the newness I feel afterwards.

I often wonder why I don't look at losing weight the same way. Wouldn't I love the newness I would feel afterwards? I would be exhilarated!! So, why is it so hard? If that one thing would click on in my brain, allowing me to break through from this stronghold, I think I could move forward without a backward glance.

That break-through is what God is working on in my life as He is urging me to "surrender all."

How can this be the last week of January already? I had so many goals in mind when entering February.

I am starting from the beginning, but also want to restart my spiritual walk by being a better witness and proclaimer of Christ. I am reading a book on discipling and am taking too long getting through it. It's so easy for me to drop balls when focusing so intently on one area of my life.

I thank God for his Word and for His continual guiding in my life.

It's nice to look at the weekend and see nothing on the schedule, unlike last weekend!

The rushing everyday makes me weary--both physically and mentally. It will be good to have a time of deliberate focus on my eating habits, and instilling this new twist to one of my meals. It's nothing radical, but the hope in it makes it exciting.

It's a wonderment to me how God cares about even this.

I am constantly trying and tweaking as God shows me new ideas about weight-loss. I may have found one this morning when I opened up one of my e-mails.

I thank God for constantly working in my life, wanting me to be ever-watchful of His guiding. I prayed, and a new approach opened up for me. I am going to walk through that door and see where it takes me.

This is the latter part of the week, but it is a "Monday" for me!

Each day I seem to be learning a little more about the strength of the flesh. Maybe that is God revealing just how into myself I really am.

It's easy to have blind spots; everything is spinning so fast, who has time to notice? I see my areas clearer each day, though. I don't know how God is going to help me get healthy, but I know He has a plan and purpose for me; I know He gave me a free-will to be used to His glory......

......and I know He loves me.

Yesterday after work my boss and I headed to the exercise room to begin daily regime. Neither of us is gung-ho on it but know it is something needed in our life.

I hope it is something we learn to look forward to, if nothing else than a bonding time! We both found machines we enjoyed using, so that will help. It is so easy for me to quit doing what is good for me. It is a harsh lesson on how "alive and well" my flesh is.

With God's help, a new habit is being formed.

Another new run at having a good week awaits me. I thank God for His patience.

I know why I overeat--well, one of the reasons; I think I need to feel full. That is a real pitfall. I will never lose weight if I don't change my thinking. My thinking better get switched to abundant health, instead of abundant eating.

It's with that admoniton that I start my new week.

It seems strange to be at the end of the week when I'm still trying to implement my goals for this week.

That is the thing about time; it can't be stopped. With God there is no time; there doesn't have to be. He mercifully put time in motion for us, though. I think it is a way of showing encouragement to start anew every morning, (every new week), and every day of my life.

He created me and gives me all that is necessary to accomplish His will.

I'm a long way from having my body, soul, and spirit work together to accomplish something that seems so simple (when I write about it).

How do I change my thinking? What I know and what I do are no where near close. How do I live in harmony with "knowing and doing?" I know yielding is involved. I know suffering is involved. I also know peace would be the outcome of doing what I know is best.

With God's help.....I continue on.

My evenings continue to be my nemesis.

I did a little cupboard rattling again last night but had something fairly "legal" in mind. However, I want to learn to ignore the flesh's signals for food--"Living Above the Flesh" would be a good message for me to listen to!

I have a plan in mind for tonight, and part of that plan is to drink something hot with small sips whenever the urge hits me to start snacking. I know God's hand is on me in this journey to good health.

It was revealed to me yesterday, my first day back on track, how quickly my plan can be diverted.

My flesh so wanted its own way, it started rattling the cupboards looking for Cheetos! I am so thankful I never found that half bag leftover from the weekend. Instead, my eyes fell on some almonds--thank you, Lord.

This was a good lesson for me--put no confidence in a mere plan.

I spent the weekend preparing for today. I made ahead some "good-for-me" desserts and ridded the kitchen of "bad-for-me" delicacies.

What a time I seem to have losing weight. One would think the endeavor could happen with a fair amount of ease--with all the diet aids, etc. (In my case, however, I have been struggling for over twenty years.) There is a stronghold here, very much like spiritual warfare.

God has a plan for me, made before the foundation of the world. I am holding myself back, in a protective way, and that is exactly what "the enemy" wants. With God's help, my plea is for victory--once and for all.

I'm so glad it is the end of the week. I need a new start.

I am going to work on my focus this weekend, so I am ready for Monday. I know my flesh is going to be kicking and screaming as I begin my attempt to eat more lady-like. I pray for enlightenment on what causes me to overeat. (By now, alot of it has to be habit.)

I know God wants the best for me; He loves me with "an everlasting love."

I find what is motivating (as I get older) is when my tomorrows become my yesterdays, how pleased will I be with the choices I am making today?

How much quality of life I will have ten years from now should spur me into action to do all I can to get my weight off right now. I keep asking myself, "Why do I overeat?" What am I feeding? Why can't I stop and know tomorrow is another day?

These questions are included in my daily prayer. I know as I keep moving toward truth, God will continue to reveal His plan to me.

My week continues to go well. If I could cut down on my portion sizes, weight-loss would follow.

I hope to commit to cutting my meals in half for a week. That should be my challenge for next week. (I don't like beginning mid-week in my endeavors--I have the "clean-slate" mentality.)

God faithfully directs my thoughts as I seek a healthy lifestyle--and as I yield my will to His.

I am encouraged by yesterday; it went very well.

I think if I keep tweeking what I know is right (for how I'm put together---"apple-shaped"), I will find an eating routine that I can fall in step with. The biggest battle I face are the idle hours when I always think I'm hungry. (I do too much eating at the computer, for one thing!)

So, I've identified the problem, I've tweeked my eating program---and my heart is thankful for all the "second" chances God so tirelessly gives.

"Our days are getting longer," is my husband's way of encouraging me through the winter blahs. Spring always seems so far away, so slow in coming.

I have goals set, just the same, with spring in mind. (I love making goals; it gives me hope.) I have a new plan I will be attempting, starting today. I want to try it for a week before I say too much about it, though. "Trial and error" seems to be how I've lived my life over a very long span of years!

I know it pleases God to keep going, to keep moving toward the mark in all areas of life. I don't want miss out on a single blessing.

Arriving 45 minutes early, we thought we would avoid the rush. Unfortunately, we were one of many not making it to the caucus because of parking. I'm sure the planning will be much better next time!

Planning is what I prayed about this morning. Without one, I am a loose cannon. How I can make the same mistakes over and over just doesn't make any sense. It is keeping me very humble. (My flesh is alive and well!)

I thank God for bringing me back to center again and again; His ways never change.

This day finally came--the Iowa caucus. It has been in the news for months. It will be an interesting Fox News night awaiting the results.

I have followed the candidates enough to be disappointed in all of them. I think the more they talk, the more they open themselves up to looking foolish.

This is certainly a time to pray for our country. It is a great comfort to know God is in control.

My head is full of good intentions as I begin this new year. "It can't be that hard to lose 55 pounds," is the thought I had as I woke up this morning. (I don't know where the "55" came from, but that's what was in my head.)

I think of all the wonderful food I can eat but still fall trap to the few I can't. (Does it sound like Eve in the Garden?!) Everyday God is trying to open my eyes up to that. He has bountifully supplied me with foods to meet my particular needs; it is my manna from Him.

Where is my focus? I need to ask myself that everytime I lift a fork up to my mouth.

Happy New Year! For the first time in my adult life, I went to bed before the new year was ushered in; it's a little sad.

I might be putting undo importance on a new-year midnight kiss, but this is the first year we were already sleeping. I miss watching the clock, preparing the egg nog for a "toast" to the new year, and awaiting the kiss.

For the first time in my adult life, I feel old.