Roasted Duck KJV: Proverb 12:27 The lazy man does not roast what he took in hunting, But diligence is man's precious possession.

MATTHEW HENRY'S COMMENTS: The slothful man makes no good use of the advantages Providence puts in his way, and has no comfort in them. The substance of a diligent man, though not great, does good to him and his family. He sees that God gives it to him in answer to prayer.

MY OBSERVATIONS: God has provided us with a wonderful dieting format here, and we must take care to be earnest and energetic in relearning our ways of cooking and eating. On a personal level, I would not try tofu, and yet, once I found a recipe that sounded palatable, I discovered it to be quite good, and so did other family members that tried it. I tried collard greens, and I found them delightful! And the list goes on. It is me that has changed and that is what turning ourselves around means, God has provided wonderful, abundant foods for us which we won’t try. You might say, that I am no longer afraid to roast a duck. Trying different foods and cooking in a lighter calorie fashion, can turn out to be a great adventure if we put time and thought into God's providence. Are you willing to try different things to find nutritious healthy foods that you have never tried before? Remember, it is all about a lifestyle change. Would you have wanted to eat Manna? God may be opening a new door for you.

Dear Lord, I can see myself daily becoming more flexible as I apply Your Word to every aspect of my life, and I thank you for the changes You are making in me. May Christ be glorified in all I attempt to do in His strength and wisdom. Amen

NIV: Proverbs 12:11 He who works his land will have abundant food, but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

My Observations: I was struck with one thought when I read this proverb and that is exercise. I just read a survey of dieters, stating that 79% included exercise with their dieting. When I first filled out a dieter’s profile, I had to admit that I was sedentary. What a terrible word for someone who was 51. It was an eye-opener. As I slowly added exercise to my diet plan, the pounds continued to come off weekly. I hold no fantasy that I can eat my calorie range without exercise and continue to lose 2 pounds per week. I have an abundance of food, I have learned to exercise 45-60 minutes a day, six days a week, (even through maintenance) and I now know that exercise will have to remain part of my life now. It can’t be for emergencies only when I gain. God designed the human body to move. Maybe not what we want to hear, but the truth will set us free.

Dear Father, Thank You that I am able to exercise. Thank You for the discipline that it presents for me, and Father God, thank You for all those people who write articles and create statistics affirming that exercise is the dieter’s wisest plan. Amen

Today's Diet Tip: 12.- Eating most of your calories in one big meal is the worst possible way to diet.

Today's Positive Thought: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.