Tomorrow morning I begin Cycle 2. I've lost 7 pounds in Cycle 1 -- even with alittle cheating here and there. It feels strange as I continue reading Women, Food, and God to be dieting since the whole tenet of the book is to quit dieting -- quit the negative messages we give ourselves ("If only I was thin... then I would be happier, healthier, richer, prettier, more valuable, live longer.... But it's all good because I don't feel like I'm depriving myself; I feel like I'm doing something nice for myself -- presenting myself with a gift, taking care of myself, nurturing myself. I don't need weight loss to fulfill me; I'm happy and content with who I am. But by not eating to mask my feelings, by embrassing them, immersing in them I am more alive. I don't need to try numbing myself by eating; I am confident that I can cope with whatever feelings come along, find peace with whatever hurt me as a little girl, and live intentionally from this point on. I am fully present in my life. AND, if what I've heard from other's blogs, I think I get the present of oatmeal tomorrow morning!