Many of us have lost weight!  Many of us haven’t gained any!  Many have tried new diet ideas, are getting fit, doing Give-Backs with our fears and problems, gave sugar and junk foods back to multinational corporations, given-back the high-fat and high calorie self-abuse.  Above all, we’re all in this together, and God is with us.  I think we’re all to be congratulated for our intentions and actions.

ACTION PLAN:

— On this halfway day, a marker of the mid-point of this initial program, let’s take stock in ourselves and give it back to others.  Please post today, right now, even if only a few words.  Tell us what’s happening in your life, in your intentions, and what (if any) actions you’ve taken.  Tell us about your weight, and what you’ve tried that works for you, and what doesn’t work.  If you’ve never posted before, please post today.  If every one of our readers actually posted, we’d have thousands of posts!  My bosses at Beliefnet would be so happy!  So would I.  If you’re a daily poster, please don’t stop now!

—  Reply to some of the posts.  Give-back some inspiration and some positive praise.  Please hold off any criticisms, and “fixing” though.

—  Finally today, please continue your avoidance of sugars, carbohydrates, and focus on eating lots of vegetables, some fruit, and less meat.  Let’s add something new – think about the calories of things.  Don’t count calories, necessarily, just be aware of them.  You may find calorie counts on boxes of processed foods (which I hope you don’t eat of lot of, BTW).  Also, of course, calorie counts online – there are tons of them available, just search “calorie counter.”  Tell us about some of your findings.

I have had some “calorie revelations” myself, causing some reevaluations.  Looking at the “calories burned” meter on the elliptical machine at my gym and how many calories in an average slice of bread, I learned that it takes me about 15 minutes of vigorous exercise to burn a slice of bread.  After 30-45 minutes, I can burn-off breakfast.  I had this realization years ago, which has now limited my consumption of carbs at breakfast.

Another mindful revelation:  I always thought that choosing an oatmeal cookie for an afternoon snack was a better choice than a donut.  After all, oatmeal is “good” for you, the millions of advertisements for it have said.  So I’d buy a huge oatmeal raisin cookie at my local coffeeshop, instead of the sugary glazed donut.  Until I found out that I could have less calories in the donut!  Sure, it’s pure sugar, and the oatmeal cookie has some fiber, and the donut doesn’t.  Then, I discovered I could have 4 or 5 apples for the same calories, with no fat whatsoever, and lots of vitamins and fiber.  Actually, the apples filled me up more, and the energy they gave me lasted longer.

As for my own evaluation, let me be the first post.  Today, writing you everyday, sharing my new “Give-Back Diet” has helped me lose 3 pounds, even though at this point I’m on a maintenance program.  You all have helped me a great deal with your generous sharing of your lives and experiences.  You wonderful words of appreciation and thanks mean A LOT to me.  Thank you, most sincerely.  Thank God for you.  I am honored to be with you here, every day.

HERE’S A LIST OF EVERY DAY OF THE “GIVE-BACK DIET.”  START TODAY!