Hi Carol, I used to live in Manchester, CT in the 80's. I had a dear friend back then, who spent quite a lot of time in Manchester Memorial Hospital. I used to visit her there so much that they tho't I was her daughter, and I didn't tell them I wasn't. She said I was like a daughter to her. She had heart disease and diabeties and was on a diet like yours. They used to call it the exchange diet. Stick with it, it will pay off in time. I was on a similar diet a few yrs ago, several small meals a day, and eating healthy and walking, and I lost 40 lbs. Unfortunately, I gained it back when my scedule/job changed, but I'm working on it again. Love to walk, but it is hard in winter. Do they have a Curve's in Manchester? They have a pretty good exercise plan. You mentioned in your back ground that you are a christian. Do you go to church in Manchester? I used to go to Faith Baptist out on the end of Lake St. up across from the Shady Glen Restraunt. Do you know where that is?