Hi folks - well it is now 20th December and I am trying to stay calm about the things still outstanding for Christmas.  We all have choices in life and one of these relates to how we will handle Christmas with all the commercialism, pressure, focus on money, focus on food etc.  This is not what Christmas is about for Christians - it is a time to enjoy the reality that God gave us the greatest gift of all in Jesus who brings us real meaning to life.

A few years ago I realised that I was getting so pressured around Christmas - trying to have the best Christmas ever each year.....now I do my best to enter into things but to keep things in context - I do love shopping but I hate people shoving and being rude so I do my best to avoid the rushes and crowds most of the time.

So have I been walking - o yes I have and how pleasant to walk through E16 and see the lights increase as the days pass to Christmas......the snow has made things look nice even if I am having to watch my feet a lot!  I am keeping up so far although today I have 2000 to do from yesterday and another 10k for today - so a long walk is ahead of me!

When I was walking yesterday through quiet streets - most people were staying inside in the warmth because it was sooooo cold.......two neighbours were arguing at their doors and involving their families in it.....I felt so sad to hear that - tempers frayed - real anger surfacing and I knew that however resentful to each other they felt they would each have regrets today!

We have to protect ourselves sometimes in life from things that would make us over anxious and push us to the edge.....so Happy Christmas all - keep your focus on your faith or at least your loved ones this Christmas.  I am intending to keep walking but as Christmas comes, as a bonus I may reduce my expectation for a few days - down to 5k a day rather than a constant 10k!!!!

Well that's another week gone - it is now under 2 weeks until Christmas and I am not organised!! 

I love Christmas but I have resolved not to have a stodgy Christmas - Dean is coming down and he is used to walking long miles so I will be walking each day of the holiday (as you would expect of course!!)

So how have I done this week - absolutely great - there has been rain, wind, cold and calm......the weather winter but I have managed my 50k steps so far with 2 days to go to complete my 60k.  Last weekend I was pressured because I had to do 10k Saturday and Sunday and that can be too much......this week it should be easy.  I am going to Canary Wharf with Rob for a coffee whilst Alex catches up on her sleep  - think I will resist going to Oxford Street today since Alex and I will be out tomorrow and then Robert and I are up the West End on Monday.

So I am feeling fitter, more positive and have plenty of energy and I intend to keep this pattern of exercise up - and cut out some sugar from my diet!!! 

Can you believe that it is 7th December in a few hours.......I love christmas and we are truly in the count down period now.  I love to see houses lit up - to see children fascinated by Santa Claus, to see all the imaginative marketing ideas to get us to buy so much more than we should - just have to resist that.....and I love the feeling of anticipation as people plan for a lovely time with family and friends.  However I realise how empty and difficult Christmas can become for so many people and it can be a challenging time of the year with so many differing expectations.

As a Christian my challenge is to guard against the materialistic aspects and keep Christ and the gift of His peace and joy central to everything I do.

So how is my shape-up programme coming on as I approach Christmas with all it's food and extra chocolates?  Well I feel better and a bit lighter.....my size is decreasing - slowly but surely.  It could all be a bit faster if I could give up more food and that is what I have to do this week and try harder than when  have tried this before!!

Yesterday I walked and walked around London E16 - and for the first time I cross the high foot bridge across from Britannia Village to Excel - absolutely stunning views and it was all lit up because it was early evening by the time I crossed.  I live in a fascinating and changing area of London and I walk through streets I have not been in before so my walking is so enjoyable.

So as I move through December I want to continue my walking to keep fit and well.  I also want to drink more water and less carbs.....I will do better than last week!!  Talk again soon.