Only in My Dreams

I made it through the first day of my personal challenges in one piece—what did you expect? I walked for 30 minutes when I got home. I wrote three articles—not just one—yesterday. I'm hoping to get ahead on that challenge.

I Dreamed That I Did It
I did not eat any candy, but dreamed that I did. Isn't that weird? When I first quit smoking seven years ago, I used to dream that I smoked a cigarette and messed up the length of time that I was cigarette free and would have to start all over. That's how my "eating candy" dream went last night. I was so disappointed in myself. Then I woke up and realized that I hadn't eaten the candy and everything was OK.

Power of Positive Energy—And Thinking
I've been praying for positive energy. And I think it's working—whether it's psychological or real, it doesn't matter if it's working. Right? I do think there is something to prayer. Larry Dossey, an M.D., believes in prayer and has seen it work. I believe him. So don't knock until you've tried it.

Even though I feel really tired today, I also feel energized. And I have a lot to do. So I need to get to it. More updates as I go along with my personal challenge. Pray for me. Please.

Confessions of a Foodaholic

Hello, my name is Kathy, and I am a foodaholic. I love to eat. There are so many foods that I love the taste of--chocolate, mashed potatoes and gravy, hamburgers, fried chicken, and the list goes on. I make special trips to the store because I'm craving something. I eat out all of the time because restaurant food is delicious.

I eat for no other reason than there's nothing better to do. I eat ice cream out of the carton. I eat chips out of the bag. I eat alone or with company. I eat like I will never be fed again.

I eat when I'm happy. I eat when I'm sad. I make up reasons to eat. I make up reasons that I deserve this cake, cookie, ice cream, whatever. I get mad because I can't eat whatever I want because I'll gain weight. I believe it isn't fair. Other people get to eat massive amounts of food and don't gain a pound--or at least in my world they don't. If they did, I wouldn't be able to justify my anger.

I quit smoking. Why can't I quit overeating?
Seven years ago I quit smoking. That's right. I used to smoke. I came from an era when everyone smoked. Even Rob and Laura Petrie smoked. (They slept in separate beds so I guess they needed some way to relieve the tension.) Anyway, today I got to thinking. Why was I able to quit smoking? I used patches to quit. So I had a crutch. And that made it easier.

So how can I apply my ability to quit smoking to controlling my food addictions? What was it inside me that gave me the strength to do it? I don't think they make ice cream patches--do they? So what I'm doing is looking for the person inside me who can stop. The person who can make things happen. The person who wants it bad enough.

Stay turned.

P.S. I ran across The Joy Project today. Interesting stuff.