Since my retirement (退休) from teaching music in 2001, I have spent a good deal of time painting as an artist. I actually began drawing again in the summer of 1995 when my father died, so perhaps I was trying to recover from the loss of my father, or maybe it was just that it brought back memories of him. In any case, I drew pen and ink animals and landscapes much influenced by Krenkel and St. John for five years.

    For some strange reason, I had been waiting until my retirement to start doing watercolors again, but as soon as I walked out of the school door for the last time I picked up my brushes and rediscovered Andrew Wyeth, who quickly became my favorite artist. I had looked through all the art books I had on my shelves and found his watercolors to be the closest to how I thought good watercolors should look. So I painted landscapes around Minnesota for three years and tried out many other types of painting. However, watercolors remained my first choice, and I think I did my best work there, showing my paintings at a number of art exhibitions.

    Art is now together with my piano playing and reading. There is a time for everything in my world, and it is wonderful to have some time doing what I want to do. As Confucius once said，“At seventy I can follow my heart's desire (渴望).”

    The key to losing weight is to understand what really interests you. Have you ever been excited about losing a few pounds? And to help you keep your weight under control, you need some coping strategies (策略).

Ask questions. When you're researching different dieting products and plans or even talking to a doctor about diets, ask as many questions as you can. Ask questions like: Do I have to buy special meals? Does the program include a part to help me keep my weight loss?

    Get real. Don't burden yourself with unrealistic expectations. Remember, large amounts of weight loss are not realistic and are most likely not safe or healthy. Talk with your health care professional to determine a healthy weight goal.

     To keep your weight, you must balance your intake of calories with the energy you burn. Just 30 minutes of fast walking in most days can take about 10 pounds off your weight each year.

    Weigh yourself weekly. It's important to track your weight on any diet or weight loss plan, but don't get on the scale every day. Weighing daily won't show you the big picture.

A. Stay balanced.

B. Once a week is fine.

C. Stick with your healthy eating plan.

D. Losing one to two pounds a week is a realistic goal.

E. Being well informed will help you choose the best diet for you.

F. Regular weight check-ins will show you your progress over time.

G. If so, you must find a way to turn that excitement into determination.

结合语境，根据汉语或首字母提示用单词的适当形式填空。

    The most successful people all have certain habits in their daily routines. Forming a new good habit can be a struggle, but it is well worth the effort. Here are the four steps you can follow to form good habits.

    Set your goal. Before you can begin to work on your new habit, it is worthwhile to consider your goal. Make sure that your goal is specific, measurable and realistic to increase your chances of success.

     Having good habits that are in line with the goals can improve your chances of attaining your goals. After you have set your goal and worked out all of the specifics of achieving that goal, identify a habit that is part of achieving that goal. Consider what good habit would help you accomplish that goal.

    Consider your motivation. Once you have identified your goal and the new habit you need to accomplish this goal, take some time to consider your motivation. Good motivation can be the difference between success and failure in terms of forming a new habit. So take your time to consider your motivation.

    Give yourself time. Forming a new habit can take a long time. Some people can form a new habit in as little as a few weeks, while other people will take several months. As you work to form your new habit, just keep in mind that it may be a while before it comes true.

A. Identify ways to achieve goals.

B. Find the habit you want to form.

C. Good habits are sure to make you a success.

D. These habits help contribute to their success.

E. Figure out exactly what you hope to accomplish.

F. Try to be patient with yourself as you form your new habit.

G. Your motivation is the reason you want to form this new habit.