Wow,

Hard to believe summer is almost over. Only been in the pool once so far
this year,
I think this summer has been a bit cooler than it was last year.
I remember we were in the pool at least once a week this time last year.

It's been cooler but not a whole lot of rain. My grass is brown and brittle,
one of the trees in my yard has gone into hibernation -
losing all of its leaves. It was weird raking up leaves in the middle of
July...

Good news is that there has been no change in weight. Holding steady at
266lbs,
so the gaining I think is over. Now it's trying to figure out how
to jumpstart things again. I've started cycling after taking a break and I
have considered jogging
in the evenings as well. That routine will start Monday,
jogging for a 1/2 hour M-W-F when I get home from work.

Some more good news is that some of the loose skin is starting to firm up
around
my stomach area. I will still need plastic surgery down the road, but
possibly not as
invasive as what I imagine it may take.

This past month (as well as the upcoming month) are really testing my faith
and commitment
both physically and spiritually. As if to say, "you talk the talk, but are
you willing to walk the walk?"
And to that I say, "you better believe it!" As Joel Olsteen has the
congregation
repeat each week while holding their Bibles aloft, "This is my Bible. I am
what it says I am, I have what it says I have,
I can do what it says I can do!" Amen!

Looking at several opportunities including expanding my internet webshow,
"The Fattening of America"
(which is on the verge of exploding on YouTube) onto the big screen (the
local public access channel),
and into a weekly downloadable podcast on iTunes.

I have also started my book. I have written 2 chapters so far and have
submitted them to a couple of editors
that are willing to help me make this a reality. I decided that I will offer
it for free as a downloadable e-book on
my website and have softcover copies of the book available for sale. A
friend has given me information on a couple of
reasonably-priced self-publishing houses that can print the books for me and
even list it on the Amazon, Barnes & Noble,
& the Books-A-Million websites.

I keep reminding myself that this isn't just a journey about losing weight -
it's a journey about growing and learning as well...

Matty V.
www.iweighedmorethanjared.com