Day 7

Today marks the end of my first week on fast. I am celebrating with a cup of hot green tea- the first warm thing that I've ingested in a week.
It's been an amazing day too. We celebrated my oldest daughter's 10th birthday today. TEN! She was brought home to a surprize birthday party complete with a huge jump house and slide, and friends and family waiting for her. What a fun time it was. We all laughed and played so much together- truly a day to remember.

In the midst of all of the merry-making, I was in a state of almost constant temptation today. Away from the office for the weekend, my body was certainly ready to relax, and I was reminded how much a part of relaxation food is for me. And our home was full of it.

A vast array of foods were present almost the entire day: Appetizers included a myriad of chips, fruit and vegetable platters (the kind you chew-- even these were appealing), hot dogs rolled up and baked into horrible canned American croissants (these are delicious, and smell amazing baking), and glass-bottled Coke from Mexico to drink (Mexican Coke is better then what they have in the US- they make it different there). The main course was nachos. Of course this was simple fair for feeding a houseful of individuals, but the SMELL... Crispy tortilla chips warmed under hot nacho cheese sauce and topped off with chili beans and spicy jalapeños. Today was torturous, and I am feeling very hungry. I am quite hungrier than than I normally am actually.

Then there was desert, which included an entire table of goodies all cutely garnished with a zebra stripes and pink theme. Cupcakes, cake pops, rock candy, gum balls, lollypops, and other sweets were all well-composed across the ornate table, opposite the room from the savory goods. I was sitting in the middle of the room, and either way I looked, was confronted with all good things that I wanted to eat.

But helping me to stay my course and maintain my resolve is the fact that I lost an additional pound overnight, bringing my one-week take up to 15 pounds. Count 'em-- fifteen. I can actually see my face thinning slightly now in the mirror, and it feels like the light is changing and creating some kind of apparition of a thinner me. But I know the truth; I've lost a bunch of weight in a week. So as difficult as today may have been at times, I am good-to-go. Tea in hand, I will see my 7th day through and make it a week tonight.

On to week two. I'm bolstered-up, and ready for another round in the ring, facing off my willpower in one corner, stomach pangs adjacent. The willpower has had a great first round, and is ramped up for another. Tomorrow morning the bell rings with my AM alarm, and the brawl continues!

I'm going to keep it short today because after a busy week my couch, a movie, and possibly a second cup of tea now are now all calling my name. My wife no doubt should be shortly as well.

I will leave you with this word of encouragement for the day:

1 Corinthians 13:12

Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

One of my favorite scriptures.

All the best to each of you today, and enjoy your weekend~