It's Friday already. I feel this has been a good week.

I have some new knowledge I need to exercise and allow to take shape in my life. Learning is a lifetime process; God's way of keeping my brain stimulated and my spirit pliable--and my soul humble! Losing weight will simply be a by-product of all of this.

I know God is always at work, but what amazes me is the depth God goes to show His love.

I've started decluttering my life. I think that is the first step for me.

I got up a little earlier this morning to get started on it. Each day I am going to work on my project--the project is: Getting My Life in Order. I want to think orderly, so I need to surround myself with orderliness. I think that will spill over in all areas of my life.

Wouldn't that be something--if that were the key to healthy living. Thank you, Lord!

I'm trying to enjoy my plight and look at it as a project. (I love projects.)

First, I come up with a plan; (I have one in a loose sort of way). Then, I break that plan down in the form of steps, something I can tangibly work with--and deadlines! I don't have a direction on that yet but will pray about it today.

I know God is able. My freewill gets me into trouble; who will I yield to--the Spirit or the flesh?

I'm having computer problems this morning! It's time to go to work, and I'm still trying to get a blog written!

I've decided to forget the raw foods idea and go with what I know I need to do--eat less and eat smart. It's an easy formula to write down--but a hard one for me to follow. My doctor doesn't understand what's taking me so long; it adds to my frustration.

Each day is a new day given to me by the Lord. I want to do the best I can to bring glory to His name.

I am looking forward to starting a new week. I have some activities planned for each day after work and hope that helps me stayed focused on getting my body to a healthy state.

I am tempted to change gears and go to a different eating program. It would work quickly, but I don't think I could live with it forever. It is one where mostly raw fruits and vegetables are eaten.

I'm not going to jump onto anything new just yet. (I've learned!) God will give me the answer as I ponder this throughout the day. Faithful is He.

I'm excited about heading into the weekend; we have a couple of fun things planned.

I'm trying to broaden my interests and activities--I love being a "couch potato" too much. I'm not going to go too crazy, though, or I will give it up and go back to "vegging." My natural tendency is to start out with a gallop, then do a fast fizzle.

The Bible is a great teacher of moderation. What a loving God to give us His Word to teach us His ways.

What I've started to work on is a nightly "duty" list for each day of the week. (Getting my mind off of myself and onto someone/something else is a good thing.)

I hope to have this ready to be implemented on Monday--a Monday through Friday list, hoping I can stay busy enough on the weekends to stay out of trouble! I know God wants me to live driven by the Spirit and not by the flesh, and in some areas I need to constantly be on guard.

God says "to be ready at all times;" that is my lifelong assignment.

Even though my days are pretty monotonous, they all seem new to me. I think I thrive on hampster-wheeltype activity.

My day varies very little. I've fallen trap to a routine that encourages slothful thinking, weight-loss in particular. I am looking for the element that makes it seem okay to nosh when I know it is not the right thing to do.

It is so easy to unwind at my computer all evening (and, of course, to nosh) instead of finding an interesting hobby to lead me in a new direction. I need to take action.

I think I have the wintertime blues. That's not a good thing for someone who has to fight the urge to eat to feel soothed.

God has so much more for me; that truth seems to be forgotten too many times in my scurry for a quick fix. Right now I'm walking toward the light but am not close enough to feel its warmth yet.

I am thankful for God's unchanging way: "I am the way..."

Another blizzard! Being snowed in doesn't help meet the goal of eating less.

That's all I did yesterday was pick at food. There was alot of activity going on all day and night; it felt like a party. (I guess that's my excuse.) It's a good thing it's not a three-day weekend!

I'm back in the rhythm of things--eating less/smaller portions and staying off sugar. I'm thankful for God's patience.

I am so thankful it is Friday. To say it's been a long week is an understatement.

Alot of family will be around most of the weekend, so it will be hard to stay focused on small portions and staying sugar-free. I will be "chief, cook, and bottle washer" which adds to the excitement of the challenge.

The hard thing is it goes back to commitment. How committed am I to a life-change that has only rewards as its outcome?

My husband presented me with a beautiful Valentine card this morning. I had forgotten it is Valentine's Day.

I know of quite a few people having birthdays today; it makes this day even more significant. It is always fun to celebrate; but to have a dual reason to do so, makes it even more pleasurable.

I didn't receive any chocolates, but that's probably a good thing. It is a reminder of my walk toward healthy living.

My night ended on a good note yesterday. I hope that is just the beginning.

I wanted to eat more, and I was going to. I kept procrastinating the urge, though, and before long, I was more tired than hungry so went to bed. This morning I felt victorious over last night's food calls.

I thank God for showing me the importance of putting the flesh on hold and allowing Him to work.

I always look forward to breakfast--2 eggs, hash brown patty, and several cups of coffee with real cream and Splenda.

My goal is to end my day on the same high-note my day begins. What happens in between becomes clouded and careless. I know I can call on God at all times; (and He knows I don't always do that).

I look at the examples God has given in Scripture for me to grasp what a Mighty God He is, and I am ashamed how easily I am swayed to go the way of the flesh.

The weekend was like a haven; I needed the rest.

My accomplishments weren't grand, just very ordinary. I ate a little less, and that's the direction I want to go; I praise God for that. I did eat a little sugar, but not until Sunday (progress!).

I am still underachieving as I chip away at all this weight, though. In my reading in Daniel, I see where I need to kick my commitment up a few notches.

It is finally Friday. This has been an unusually long week.

I am planning on a good weekend; stay away from the sugar! I love making this great (and easy!) brownie recipe. It is one of those that is so much fun to cut off small portions (making believe you're not really eating dessert)!

I got through last night without caving on a craving I was having (Cheetos), and that has motivated me to continue to do what is right, knowing that is God's desire for all areas of my life.

"Help is on the way," is how I feel when I read Scripture. I am always given something that better opens my eyes up to truth. "Make no provision for the flesh," is what God brought to mind this morning.

Here I am praying about my sugar addiction, and I have all forms of sugar in the house! I am making it very easy to fall prey to the flesh; and, as Judge Judy states, "Put on your thinking cap!"

I will do a house-cleaning today; thank you, Lord, for desiring only the best for me.

Looking at my work menu, I think I'm going to have to come up with a Plan B. I don't think any ice cream came in for our hot fudge sundaes--and I don't know if we even have any hot fudge.

That might be one of the things I enjoy most about the job--problem-solving. I know it drives my boss nuts, but I find it a way to use the very little creativity I have. (One of the other cooks is that way too; and between the two of us, we can get a little out of hand!)

I thank God everyday for my job. What a perfect fit!

I'm starting the week out slowly, but surely, (as they say). I am putting forth a stronger effort, anyway.

My battle always begins when I enter the haven of my home, though. Usually, driving home from work, I'm not hungry and feel I can even skip supper. But within twenty minutes of being home, all that changes. Now that I'm onto the pattern, I am thinking of ways to find some victory.

I'm thankful God does not weary of me and keeps encouraging me as He reveals these pitfalls I'm so prone to keep repeating.

I'm ready to get back in the groove. The weekend got a little out-of-hand, unfortunately.

A friend at church inspired me yesterday. She has some of the same issues I have and and in recent weeks, has lost quite a bit of weight. She is on the right road. I love it when God puts me in the path of someone I need to learn from. (Something like a konk in the head, "You could have had a V-8!")

So, I am grabbing Monday by the hand and moving in that directon, too.

Friday is everyone's favorite day at work. Besides the obvious, we can also dress down and all wear our matching polo shirts. It doesn't take much to make us happy!

My part of the menu today is incredibly easy, not something that happens very often. It is a great way to end the week; I can almost begin my weekend today!

Blessings like this are affirmations of God caring for even the little areas of my life.