With the holidays and vacation right and an incredibly busy schedule, my fitness regime had taken a real hit.  This past week in preparing to get back into dress clothes I was faced with the reality that I’ve had a little too much fun and not enough punishment the last few weeks.  Time to get back on track in a serious way. It timed well with seeing the last episode of The Biggest Loser.  I haven’t seen but probably two episodes this season but I remember watching more of it last year and really wanting it to all click for me and motivate me to make changes.  And I did.  It is such a great feeling to look back on 2005 and realize the great changes that I have made to my life in regards to fitness.  25 lbs. gone and never to return.  A new appreciation for an active life. I slipped just a little but I’m back on track and motivated to finish this out.  I hit the Y today and had a good workout.  I ate great today even with a whole break table of goodies. It is simply hard work and discipline.  And that was something that I was reminded of tonight while watching the finale.  There are no short cuts or easy way out.  It is a new lifestyle that I must always be committed to living. 

Much of life is this way, isn’t it?  No short cuts or easy way out.  Lots of discipline and hard work.  We can waste a lot of time avoiding things out of fear of hard work.  It really is our loss.

Tonight I had a call from a telemarketer.  Her first question was "May I speak with the man of the house?"  I replied, "I am the man of the house."  She paused and then said, "Thank you for your time" and hung up.   Hmmm…. was it something I said?

I got something in the mail from God today.  That is how I like to look at a situation where you have been thinking lots about something, then take a step in faith in one direction and then the very next day get something unsolicited in the mail related the very thing you are stepping out in faith about.  I think its incredibly cool how sly God is sometimes.  I mean, it could be some freak luck of the mailbag but hey . . . I just find it more exciting and rich to think that it is God’s handiwork and not some incredible timing of the US Postal Service.  I mean, either way it is a miracle, right?

Speaking of amazing things, let me just say how amazing my parents are.  I am so blessed to have such an awesome mom and dad.  Really . . . I couldn’t begin to describe all the ways in which my parents are wonderful and wise and loving and strong and good.  They came over tonight after a long day of serving others – their perfect grandson and their dear mothers – and helped me put up my Christmas wreaths outside and then sat and talked with me about some decisions I am working through.  They are wonderful and caring listeners and I am so grateful to have them as sounding boards in my life.  I completely hit the jackpot when I chose them as my parents. Ok, ok … I had no choice in the matter which is probably why it turned out so well!

I’m wrapping up early tonight.  I took my little sleepy pills early tonight so that I would for sure rest.  Last night it escaped me as I began thinking about everything waiting at the office so I’m not taking any chances tonight!