January2007

Journal entry, 1-02-07
Hi all. I guess a lot of folks are wondering what I am up to. Well, I have been enjoying the Christmas season with
my family. I spent Christmas eve with Cheryl's family and Christmas day with mime. It was so nice being with my
family.

I was able to Call Mary Herring on Christmas day and I learned that Judi, Bert and their family is doing just fine. It
was nice talking with her. That was the first time that I was able to talk with her since she went home. I will be
looking forward to seeing them again.

I am not sure as to the exact day that I will be back out there walking. I have only 352 miles to go. I really think I
can do it in 3 weeks or maybe 4 max.   I also know that I must be done with the walk by the 15th of Feb. So I will
be getting back to the walk very soon.

I am really looking forward to the rest of the walk. My health has improved so much, I actually miss walking. I
rode bicycles with my wife today. I could not believe the energy I have. Last year I could not ride a bike. Now I
ride with not much effort. The difference is amazing. After riding, I played basketball for a while. I am a normal
person again. Most folks would not know the significance of what I am writing. But if you remember, I could not
walk across Wal-Mart when I started this journey.   I think only those obese people that are 350 lbs and above
would understand what it is like not being able to do anything. How can I explain to folks the joy of being able to
do these things again. Especially after thinking I was going to die.

I have so many folks to thank for their help and support. Those of you that have met me you know what I mean.
Well, that is about it for the news as of late. Take care all, Gary, "Keep on Walking, one foot in front of the other."

Journal entry, 1-3-07
I have some great news! I talked with Judi today and She & her husband Bert placed their fast-5 book on their
website. It is a free down load. That is so great! Hundreds of folks all over the world have downloaded it just in
the past few days. I urge everyone to go to their website:                              and down load it. Call everyone you
know and have them get their free copy. You can still obtain a hard copy of the book by ordering. You only have
to pay production and shipping cost for the hard copy. It is around $9.95. But the down loadable book is free.

I guess because of all the activity that has surrounded my life in the past few weeks I have not wished everyone a
Merry Christmas and Happy new year.   I want to take the time now to do that. I really hope each and every one
of you have had a wonder Christmas. I also hope that many of you will join me in making a goal this new year to
lose weight. I will continue losing weight until I am at around 165 lbs. That is my new goal. I have lost two shoe
sizes and feel so good. Take care all, Gary, "Keep on walking, one foot in front of the other."

Journal entry, 1-11-07
Hi everyone. I am still at home in St. Louis. It looks like it will be next weekend before I return on my journey. I
want to get back to my walk as soon as I can. I don't have to tell everyone how it can be financially. Cheryl & I
are working very hard to free me up so I can get back out there. I have been working from 1:45 pm until 8:30 am
every night for the past 2 weeks. I know it is very long hours, but we have to get a few things caught up before I
leave. It is just the responsible thing to do.   So, for everyone wondering what is going on, that is it. A friend of
ours takes care of her 89 year old mother. She got very sick with the flu (perhaps the same flu that I had) and
she could no longer take care of her mother. So I got the job. 19 hours a day. I get 5 hours off to go home and
take a shower. The pay is great. I volunteered in a nursing home for 3 years back in the 80's, so I have the
experience and know how to look after her. She has memory loss and can not hear very well, but we manage. I
cook and feed her and assist her doing the basic things. She really just needs someone there to keep her
company. I have grown to like her very much. Her name is Unis. She laughs a lot and is very funny. I really
care about older people and I enjoy doing it.

I want to thank everyone for writing and being concerned. I am maintaining my weight and not gaining any since I
have been home through Thanksgiving and Christmas. I thank fast-5 for that. Well, that is about it for now. I will
keep everyone updated as I figure out my schedule for returning to the road. In a strange way, I miss walking
and sleeping in my tent.   I never thought I would miss it, but I do. I guess I am missing being out there and
meeting folks. I really enjoy that. Take care all, Gary, "Keep on walking, one foot in front of the other."

Journal entry, 1-22-07
My job has winded down as Dina, the daughter of Unis, has gotten over the flu. The income has allowed us to get
caught up and I am ready to get back on the road. This is a picture of the very nice lady I have been taking care
of. It has been a very enjoyable job. I will miss Unis and her daughter Dina and Paul, Dina's husband. We have
all become good friends.

I have an appointment for this Friday at 8 am. After that, I will return to the road. I will try my very best to finish
by Feb. 15th. Depending on the weather, I might need a few extra days.

I have been getting invited to different schools and churches to give talks. I am excited to do this after my walk is
over. I feel it is so important to talk to the kids before weight really becomes an issue. All you have to do is drive
by a school yard and observe the amount of obese children to see how serious the problem is in America.

I will start updating my journal daily as soon as I return to the road. I will let you in on a secret. A good friend of
mine said that I should write a book about this journey. I told her that I did not want to profit from this journey
because it would turn it into a money making thing instead of the honest sincere effort to lose weight and bring
National attention to obesity in our country. She recommended that I give any money made from a book to some
effort to help others who need help. I thought that was a wonderful Idea. I know my story will inspire so many
people. So, I have spent the last couple of weeks writing my book at night while Unis slept. It seemed to work out
great for me. I can promise this, everyone that I did not write about in my journal will be in my book. I guess you
can say, I was saving the best for last.

So, that is the latest. I hope everyone of you are surviving the frigid weather we are having. I guess on one side,
it has worked out for me not to have been out there in the cold for the past 7 weeks. Everyone take care and
remember, "Keep on walking, one foot in front of the other." Gary