The 365th Day

"Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve.  Middle age is when you're forced to. " ~Bill Vaughn

This is the 365th post to this blog. As I said in the beginning of this year, I didn't guarantee weight loss for you or for me.  

I believe I am as hefty today as I was on January 1, 2011.  When I got on the scale at the gym I weighed in at 217.  When I got on the scale at home I weighed 214.    Give or take three pounds, I'm maybe a pound or two less than I started the year. 

Today concludes my daily posts to this blog.  This post will conclude my ramblings about dieting and exercising.  I wish everyone a happy and healthy New Year!

Thinking of next year

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. " ~Benjamin Franklin

Another year almost gone and thinking to myself what should I accomplish in 2012.   I haven't a clue. At the moment I have a sinus headache and  I really don't care about much of anything. 

Perhaps I will feel better tomorrow or maybe next year. 

Writing letters

"You must write your first draft with your heart. You rewrite with your head." ~ Finding Forrester

Today, after all the work involved in getting the lights down outside, I found time to sit down to write my annual letters to the boys.  I write the letters and then mail the letters do that they are post marked with this years date.  I plan to give these letters when they graduate from high school. 

What a day

"Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me. Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful, that's what matters to me." ~ Steve Jobs

What a day!  I worked up a sweat tearing down all six of the Christmas trees in the house. I am wiped out. 

Birthday Calorie Finale

"Keep Christmas in your heart all year long. It will leave less room for cholesterol!" ~ Randy 

The birthday and hopefully the holiday overrating comes to an end this evening with a 1,000 calorie entree from the Olive Garden. 

The day after

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.  The good you do for others is good you do yourself. " ~ Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976

Fun, fun, fun day. I love the day after Christmas.

Mom, Paula and I kick started the day with shopping.  By afternoon I was at the gym working out.  I could have ate better - Hamburgers and Pizza - however I was pleased I found time to exercise. 

Run, eat and eat some more

December 25

Great little One! whose all-embracing birth
Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.
~Richard Crashaw

I turned 42 today.  

I kick started the day with a short run.  I should have ran for hours especially since I ate entirely too much today.  

I did try to contain myself.  I only had a half of a cinnamon role at breakfast and one serving of the egg casserole.   For lunch, I filled my plate with more green beans and salad and smaller portions of carbs.  I did have a generous helping of the brownie truffle dessert and a small slice of Red Carpet cake.   It was the candy sitting around the house that put me over the edge.  I couldn't refuse the bite size Baby Ruth candy bars.  

Oh well, the scale was kind to me this morning.  I weighed less than I was earlier this week.  I also weighed a tad less than I did last Christmas.  And I do mean tad...as in five, six, seven pounds less. 

Love a Good Christmas Mess

One of the most glorious messes in the world is the mess created in the living room on Christmas day. Don't clean it up too quickly. ~Andy Rooney

We are ready for Christmas.  The house is tidy. The dishes are in the dish washer. The laundry is done. 

I'm looking forward to the "mess" of Christmas -  Wrapping paper from unwrapped gifts thrown about the living room floor, dirty dishes from a delicious meal sitting stacked in the sink, and a load full of new clothes in need of being washed. 

Yes, I am ready for the beautiful mess of Christmas. 

A Festivus Miracle

It must be a Festivus Miracle because this morning after I finished my high intensity, twenty-five minute workout, I had lost one pound.  It's either a miracle or the fact I have been exercising the last three days and skipping the chocolate chip cookies.  

Actually, if the truth be known, the cookies are gone.  Happy Festivus to me!

Winter begins

One kind word can warm three winter months. ~Japanese Proverb

The first day of winter and I spent it under a blanket watching a great movie.  Water for Elephants was excellent. I should have read the book first.  It was a classic love story. 

Before I crawled under the blanket, I did get in a workout!

Dodging the crowds

"I will honor Christmas in my heart, and try to keep it all the year." ~Charles Dickens

I honored the season of Christmas with two visits to the Kohl's department store today.  First time, was to purchase some new dress shirts for the boys to wear to Christmas Mass.  The second trip was to return the shirts.  Wrong size for Logan and the other two didn't like my choices.  

All I know is I must have lost at least five pounds dodging the crowds of people, in particular husbands that had no business being in that store.  Seriously, start your shopping earlier if all your going to do is stand there dumbfounded in the aisle or if you are going to wander the store in circles.   I just wanted to say to every man in the store... "Buy her a gift card and save her the trouble of having to return the awful gift you are going to purchase in desperation!"

Pizza, wings and ice cream

"The best way to spread Christmas Cheer, is singing loud for all to hear.....I'm singing.  I'm in a store and I'm singing!" ~ Buddy, Elf

To celebrate my eleven year old's birthday, we went to Dave's Pizza and Wings.   While there, we asked our waitress, Ms Kristen, if she was going to sing a birthday song to Logan.   "Oh no, not me," said Kristen.  "I'll get Dave.  He can sing." 

We all laughed.  The last thing Logan wanted was for anyone to bring attention to his birthday.  And Kristen sure didn't want to be singing.  

Later Dave came out with a chocolate chip cookie covered in a heap of ice cream and chocolate syrup.  He gave him five spoons and told Logan if he wanted to share he could hand those out.   If he didn't want to, he could keep the spoons and keep it for himself.   He passed out the spoons!  

It was delicious!

The Christmas Letter

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. ~Peg Bracken

Dear Family and Friends,

I’m writing this letter on a cold, dreary day perfect for cutting wood, as opposed to the warm, sunny day that my family and I chose for wood cutting earlier this fall.

On that day in October, Derek, Caleb and Logan came to Grandma’s in their work clothes prepared to cut down a forest. I thought they were being silly. My Mom and my brothers had mentioned there were a few logs that needed splitting but I wasn’t anticipating we would be cutting wood all day. I arrived wearing a fairly nice pair of jeans, a Mizzou T-shirt and dress shoes and I wasn’t anticipating anyone would need my help. Unbeknownst to me, that once my brother Jeff gets a chainsaw in his hands, he simply cannot put it down.

When Paula arrived in her white t-shirt, shorts and open toed sandals, we all laughed. “You’re not exactly dressed for the occasion,” I muttered. I had suggested she go home to change, but she insisted on staying to help. The boys rolled their eyes and shook their heads in disbelief. My Mom, Jeff and my brother, Kevin, remained silent, unwilling to share their opinion on what Paula consider being appropriate “foreman” attire.

Our ten-year-old, Logan, was particularly unpleased to have Paula in the woods. At first, she wanted his job which was to push the lever on the automatic wood splitter. Logan refused to leave his post and directed her to the trailer, insisting she stack wood. As he observed her stacking abilities, he became more disgusted. “Woman, what are you doing?” he asked. “Down from there, let me show you how this done.”

With Logan stacking wood on the trailer, Paula was free to take her seat at the splitter. Jeff continued to cut more and more trees. Kevin and I lifted every heavy oversized piece of wood on the splitter. And Paula, well, she pushed a lever. Our thirteen-year-old, Caleb rolled the logs up the hill towards the splitter. In between each log, he would pull out his phone, check and respond to his text messages. Paula asked him, as she always does, “Who is more important than us?” Caleb slipped the phone back in his pocket and rolled another log up the hill to the splitter. “Oh, watch my toes,” yelled Paula. “Don’t roll those logs over my feet. You could break a toe.” Caleb rolled his eyes and said, “You think.”

As the day progressed and the trailer filled with wood, I was certain we would soon be done. Oh no, I was wrong. By this time, Jeff had showed our fifteen-year-old, Derek, how to cut down a tree. Now, we were on a roll. I asked Derek if he wanted me to show him how to cut a downed tree but he didn’t respond. “Grandpa Peters showed me how,” I said. “Of course he only let me cut wood once. And I’m sure that it had nothing to do with me running his saw blade into the dirt and the mud.” Derek wasn’t amused.

In addition to using the chain saw, Derek also got to drive Grandpa’s truck and trailer to deliver the wood. Seriously, there’s nothing scarier than riding shotgun while your 15 year old son drives a diesel pickup truck with a load of wood hitched to the back. “Get over,” I remember yelling, not once but two, maybe twelve times as we would encounter the oncoming traffic. Of course, I can’t really judge the boy. I think it might have been my fault the trailer got wedged up against the tree in the middle of the woods and my brothers had to unhitch the trailer and move the truck so we could re-hitch the trailer. I might be wrong, but I think they might have been a little aggravated with me. Just a little!

It’s been a long time since I helped cut wood but I’m happy that I did. Although there was some yelling and some name calling, there was also plenty of laughter and many opportunities for the boys to talk about Grandpa. Not a moment went by that warm, sunny day without the boys talking about how Grandpa would make them do this or do that when they cut wood together. I might have ruined a good pair of jeans and Paula might have almost broken her toe, but it was a day we’ll soon not forget.

May your Christmas and New Year be blessed with an abundance of laughter!

The Peters – Scott, Paula, Derek, Caleb and Logan.

Fried Chicken and a Nap

"First we'll make snow angels for a two hours, then we'll go ice skating, then we'll eat a whole roll of Tollhouse Cookiedough as fast as we can, and then we'll snuggle." ~ Buddy, Elf

I thought about going to the gym today but got distracted by a really good Christmas movie, a comfy sofa and warm blanket.  This led to an afternoon nap. 

I should have exercised because tonight we are having Logan's favorite meal for his birthday...Fried Chicken with Mashed Potatoes!

Favorite new soup

"We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns and syrup." ~ Buddy, Elf

I believe I have discovered a favorite new soup.  We had friends over for dinner last night.  Paula prepared sandwiches and soups.  One of the soups she prepared was from a new recipe.   It was a Chicken Tortilla Soup.   It was amazing.  Loved it. 

The soup is sort of healthy.   As long as I don't top it off with shredded cheese and sour cream, I'm positive it would be even healthier. 

Anyhow, it was a delicious soup and an enjoyable evening visiting with friends.

Late night cookie binging

"No! No! I want an Official Red Ryder Carbine-Action Two-Hundred-Shot Range Model Air Rifle!" ~ Ralphie, A Christmas Story

I'm ready for these late night Christmas cookie binges to come to an end.  A night doesn't pass by that I'm not having at least three or more cookies.  It's not normal.  

Three cent dinner

"Can I refill your eggnog for you? Get you something to eat? Drive you out to the middle of nowhere and leave you for dead?" ~ Clark Griswold, Christmas Vacation

I had the best dinner this evening. First of all, it only cost me three cents.  Second, I had the best sweet potato fries along with a delicious mesquite grilled chicken breast. And the customer service was superb.  

I used a gift card at Colten's Steakhouse and owed three cents.  The waitress told me she wouldn't charge me the three cents.  However, I had no cash for a tip. I wrote a note to my waitress telling her I was going to the car for cash and would be right back. She must have thought that I got hit by a minivan in the parking lot because all I had was a twenty dollar bill. I went to the grocery store across the parking lot to break the twenty. Finally I had cash and went back to pay my waitress her well deserved tip. 

Stop the madness

"Actually, I'm a human, but I was raised by elves." ~ Buddy, the movie Elf

I've been eating all day long. I had a "meat lover's" pizza for lunch and a huge avocado hamburger with fries for dinner.  In no way have I been eating healthy today.  

Eventually something will click with me and I will stop the madness. 

Sleeping, not exercising

"When I grow up and get married I'm living alone! Did you hear me! I'm living alone! I'm living alone! I'm living alone!" ~ Kevin McCallister, Home Alone

Yes, I completely forgot to write a post to the blog last night.   If you were thinking that I was out exercising and didn't have time, you would be wrong.  I was at home sleeping.   Yes, I fell asleep before 8:30 p.m.  

Just another night in December

"I never thought it was such a bad little tree. It's not bad at all, really. Maybe it just needs a little love." -Linus, Charlie Brown Christmas

I'm sitting in the dark, eating Chocolate Chip cookies.  In addition, I am admiring the glow of the Christmas tree while my ten-year-old repeatedly breaks into song.  The Christmas program is this week and he has the songs stuck in his head.  It's just another night in December. 

Good to be home

"At Christmas, all roads lead home." ~ Marjorie Holmes

It is good to be home. 

We spent the day traveling home from Branson.  We shopped our way home stopping in Lebanon, the Lake and Jefferson City.  Although we didn't do much physically, we are all tired and wiped out. I could fall asleep writing this.  

It is good to be home. 

Anyone else in the mood for Christmas?

Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. ~Norman Vincent Peale

It was another wonderful visit to Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. 
 
I enjoyed every step of it - small and large.  
 
It was especially busy in the park on Saturday evening.  The weather was perfect for a stroll through Silver Dollar City's winter wonderland.  Obviously the rain had kept people away last weekend, so many locals decided to come to the park this weekend.   Of course, I really didn't mind.  I've come to expect it every year.
 
Although you had to wait in lines and deal with the abundance of people, the millions of light were spectacular.   My wife and I, who have been coming to Branson at Christmas since 1992, thought the park was decorated especially well this year.  
 
I ate a huge chocolate chip cookie with a cup of hot chocolate while I was there.   I even shared.  There were many food items to indulge in while I was at the park, but I avoided all of them except the chocolate chip cookie.   
 
I'm grateful my wife and I found time to bring the boys to Silver Dollar City once again.  Once again, I am in the mood for Christmas.

Branson or bust!

"Nothing says holidays, like a cheese log." ~ Ellen DeGeneres

In Branson, prepared to finish my Christmas shopping.  No cheese logs on my list.  

It's going to be a great weekend. Shop till you drop.  I'll be getting in plenty of walking time at the outlet malls and at my favorite amusement park in the world - Silver Dollar City!

Let Christmas officially begin!

Love gifts that come from the heart are the best

“Christmas doesn't come from a store, maybe Christmas perhaps means a little bit more....” 
― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Christmas comes from the heart and gifts that come from the heart are always the best. 

I think the best gift I could give myself is to take it easy on myself and instead of beating myself up perhaps build myself up. 

I will have fries with that!

"French fries. I love them. Some people are chocolate and sweets people. I love French fries. That and caviar." ~Cameron Diaz

Yes, I ate French Fries from McDonalds.  And it was good!

I read an article in the Reader's Digest about a man who follows a vegan diet all day until six.  At six, he eats a regular meal with meat, cheese and all the other food products that are not on a vegan diet.  By practicing this method of madness, he actually loss weight. 

I decided to give it a try. It worked for two days and I suppose I could count today to if you consider French fries vegan. 

It snowed, I walked

“Nature has no mercy at all. Nature says, "I'm going to snow. If you have on a bikini and no snowshoes, that's tough. I am going to snow anyway." ~ Maya Angelou

Even though it was snowing this morning, I risked my life to exericse today.  I drove directly to the gym.  I went inside and I stepped up on that silly treadmill.   For 21 minutes, I walked.   I increased and decreased the speed continually for all 21 minutes.   It was a good workout and I believe I broke a sweat. 
 
I also got on the scale and used that gadget that calculates your body fat percentage and your body mass index.   We will not speak about that and just say that I did it.

Ate in moderation

I don't want any vegetables, thank you. I paid for the cow to eat them for me. ~ Doug Coupland

It was a good day. I ate with moderation. And best of all, I didn't over indulge in the Christmas cookies and candy. 

Healthier dinners at home

“Bein' rich is having leftovers. Good leftovers make yo' tongue fly outta yo' mouth and smack yo' brains out.” 
― Paula Deen

There usually aren't leftovers in our house. I suppose we aren't rich?!  

We haven't ate at home all weekend. I'm guessing we consumed way more calories than we needed. 

We really need to eat healthier dinners at home.  Perhaps that would be a good resolution for the New Year. 

A cookie baking, letter writing sort of day

If trees could scream, would we be so cavalier about cutting them down? We might, if they screamed all the time, for no good reason. ~Jack Handey


Today's quote has everything to do with the Christmas letter I wrote this afternoon.   While Paula and the boys were baking cookies and making candy, I was downstairs in seclusion writing the Christmas letter that we send out each year with our Christmas cards. 
 
The letter I wrote has a connection with the quote I posted today.   Since I haven't printed the letter or mailed it out, I won't share it yet.   I will say that it is about trees.  And of course, it is also about us - me, Paula, Derek, Caleb and Logan.
 
No bragging about accomplishments in my Christmas letter this year, which is usually the case with all the Christmas letters I have written.   I try to capture a moment in our lives and I believe I have successfully done so once again.   I hope everyone that receives the letter in their mailbox enjoys the letter and knows that I send the card and the letter with lots of love.
 

Motivation to exercise, an app for that?

"Peace on earth, good will toward men? Is there an app for that!" ~ Randy Glasbergen

I'm checking the newest apps available for diet and exercise. I'm not having much luck finding anything. 

There are so many apps it is overwhelming. I can map and track my run but of course I would have the desire to actually run.  I can also track my period if I had one. I can even download an alarm clock that analyzes my sleep patterns and awakes me when I am well rested. I'm guessing it wouldn't wake me up until noon. 

I'll keep searching. 

Christmas wish list

"I was texting while driving my sleigh,” said Santa. “Your toys are in a ditch outside of South Bend, Illinois.” ~ Randy Glasbergen

I have a Christmas wish list.  I only have one item on the list so far - lose 5 pounds this month.   I don't think I started things off very well.  I didn't exercise.  I bought a box of chocolates at lunch.   I had McDonalds French fries for dinner.   Oh and there were those three chocolate chip cookies I had after I finished my dinner.  

I really need to find my motivation back because it has been missing for a long time.

Marathon writing

“I am thankful, of course, for the prize and thankful to God for each story, each idea, each word, each day.” ~ Isaac Bashevis Singer  

I’ve been running a marathon today.   Not an actual marathon.  Please, let’s get serious.   I’ve been engaged in a writing marathon.   I’ve been writing countless articles, one after another, at work.   When I got home, I was helping Caleb with his writing project.  Some edits here and there and that his project was finally done.  

To top off the day, I’m writing not one but two blog posts, because yesterday I forgot to post so today you get two posts instead of just one.

If I have an ounce of energy left, I might finish writing the Christmas letter.   We’ll see.

Is it possible to burn calories writing?  I think my hands and fingers are looking a little thinner.  Ha!

Only have time for laughter

“I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.” ~ Woody Allen

Yesterday, I got so completely busy with work and with the boys that I didn’t find time to post a quote, write a blog post or exercise for that matter (what’s new)!   Instead of writing about my diet and exercise woes, I was living life.   I was laughing with my family.  Luckily I wasn’t drinking milk or I too would be having milk come out of my nose.

Lovin' Christmas

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree.  In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.  ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

I love having the Christmas trees up in the house. It is a lot of work but I always enjoy every single tree in the house.  Trees in the living room, the dining room, the bedrooms and the rec room in the basement.  Lovin' Christmas.  

Searching for the words

"I'm very busy this time of year, so I’ll keep my Holiday Newsletter brief. Our family is so much happier and more successful than yours, so you should be very jealous. Seasons Greetings, The Johnsons.” ~ Randy Glasbergen

I'm actually struggling with the Christmas letter.  I'm having some serious writer's block.  

I wrote something earlier this morning but I'm not sure I'm in love with it.  

Hoping for some inspiration. I'm looking for just the right words, the right sentences, etc.  

Six Christmas trees later

Christmas gift suggestions:  To your enemy, forgiveness.  To an opponent, tolerance.  To a friend, your heart.  To a customer, service.  To all, charity.  To every child, a good example.  To yourself, respect.  ~Oren Arnold

It was a stay-at-home day. 

It was cold. It was rainy. It was simply frightful outside.  Luckily, we had plenty to do inside.  

We started at nine o'clock this morning putting up Christmas decor.  As usual we worked until we were done.  By three o'clock, all six of our trees were up. 

Although my feet, legs, shoulders and back are throbbing, I am now on the sofa watching a Christmas movie with only the glow of the Christmas tree as a light.  It is Christmas once again!

Black Friday

"He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree." ~ Roy L. Smith

I am exhausted.   I began this day in a line waiting to make a purchase at Target.  Once the purchase was made, it was time to get some sleep. After four hours of sleep, I was up again to do some more shopping. Five hours later, I was back home. 

Although I was tired, I kept going. No time to rest.  The weather was too perfect.  There were additional items that needed to be put up outside for the Christmas season.  

Now as the day is winding to a halt, so do I.   My mind and my body are done for the day.  Black Friday is officially over. 

Thankful for the sunny day

"Thanksgiving, man.  Not a good day to be my pants." ~Kevin James

I'm thankful for the beautiful weather today. It was so nice we went outside to take family photos.  And yes it wasn't a good day for my pants. 

Burning pies

"We're having something a little different this year for Thanksgiving. Instead of a turkey, we're having a swan. You get more stuffing." ~ George Carlin

Good thing we aren't having "swan" for Thanksgiving because we are having a hard enough time getting the pies baked. Two of the pies have already burned and we are starting over. 

I did a few situps and a few pushups and that was about it. I'm not sure that has burned off enough calories for the big meal tomorrow. 

Relaxing evening at home

"Thanksgiving is an emotional holiday. People travel thousands of miles to be with people they only see once a year. And then discover once a year is way too often." ~ Johnny Carson

I'm thankful for ... a relaxing evening at home under the blanket watching television. 

McDonalds and Tongue Biting

“Biting your tongue and swallowing your pride is a meal of humility. Though it may not be tasty to you,it is indeed healthy.” ~ T.Ruth Israel

It was an evening of high school basketball.  Of course that left no time for exercise. And it was dinner at McDonalds.  Diet and exercise was not a part of the plan for the evening.

All the tongue biting and pride swallowing I have done today I needed some fast food from McDonalds.

First Thanksgiving Dinner

"What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of November when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving? ~ Erma Bombeck

Thanksgiving Dinner at Mom and Dad's house is always the Sunday before Thanksgiving. This year was no exception.  The only difference was that Dad had other places to be.  Hope all is well in his little corner of heaven. 

Platters as plates

"Never order food in excess of your body weight. " ~ Erma Bombeck

I don't think I ordered food in excess of my body weight, but I believe the platter of Mexican food I ate came really close. 

Nothing to say

No post yesterday. 

I got busy and I fell asleep early.  End of story. 

Circling the buffet table

"Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food." ~ Craig Wilson

The buffet table circling season is about to begin.  While your out shopping for Christmas gifts, I recommend everyone purchase bigger pants. 

I'll be trying to avoid taking more than one lap around the table. And hopefully I will be buying smaller pants. 

More mashed potatoes

"As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission." ~ Craig Wilson


Can you tell it's almost Thanksgiving?  I'm already thinking about mashed potatoes. 
 
As we venture into the season of expanding waste lines, I'm hoping I can either maintain my weight.  I would actually prefer to lose a few pounds.   We'll see what happens.
 
Perhaps more exericse and fewer mashed potatoes.

Secret of falling behind

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. " ~ Mark Twain

I wonder what the secret is to falling behind. I'm guessing it has something to do with the chocolate brownie, with chocolate icing, carmel and pecans that I had yesterday and again today. It was delicious and I am certain it is the secret to why I am not losing weight. 

Traveling and eating right

Wherever you go, no matter what the weather, always bring your own sunshine. ~Anthony J. D'Angelo, The College Blue Book


I’m traveling today. It’s tough eating right while you are traveling. I was faced with all my favorites – chocolate chip cookies and brownies. Then it was chips, cheese dip and enchilada for supper. I hope this hotel has a gym so I can work out in the morning.

Thinking about pie

"Seven percent of Americans have passed off a store bought pie for homemade." ~ Pascale Le Draoulec, Parade Magazine 

I haven't had any pie this weekend but I have certainly been thinking about it and thanks to Parade Magazine I have also been reading about it. 

What's Thanksgiving without pie?  Next week, the pumpkin pie along with several other Thanksgiving fixings will find it's way on to my plate and into my belly. It's probably not a good time to start a diet. 

Time for a nap?!

"Sadly, in today’s times, pies are an endangered dessert." ~ Paula Deen

After an afternoon of climbing around on the roof of the house, I am being lazy watching an episode of Paula Deen's cooking show on the Food Network. 

I am getting a little hungry watching the show. Good thing I'm also getting a little sleepy as well.  I think I will take a nap instead of getting up to eat!  

In a daze

How important it is for us to recognize and celebrate our heroes and she-roes! ~ Maya Angelo

I went to the gym in a trance this morning. Do you ever do that?  

I was there for twenty minutes. I lifted some weights but there was no enthusiasm to it. It wasn't intense. I was just going through the motions. 

I'm hoping for a better workout tomorrow. 

Let's be naughty

"Let's be naughty and save Santa the trip." ~ Gary Allan

I have been naughty today. I have had many cookies. Many, many cookies. 

Hard work required

"I'm a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work the more I have of it."  ~Thomas Jefferson

I must not be working out hard enough because I have no luck when it comes to moving that needle on the scale.  I was hoping the number on the scale would be lower however it was the same as it has been for months. Disappointed. 

Wearing out the shoes

"Between saying and doing many a pair of shoes is worn out."  ~Italian Proverb

I'm doing everything I can to wear out my new tennis shoes.

I was up early again this morning. I lifted some weights and worked out my abdominal muscles.  

This morning I wanted to stay in bed.  It was raining outside so it wasn't that difficult to persuade myself to stay in bed a few more minutes. 

I didn't stay there long. I did finally get up, slip on the clothes and shoes and stomp through the puddles so I could get in a workout. 

Tonight I did a few more minutes of abdominal exercises.  Now my abs are seriously sore. I doubt I will be able to complete any more of those crazy ass ab exercises tomorrow. 

Tomorrow I may have to slip on my pair of shoes and put some wear on them by walking or running. 

Sticking with this like a postage stamp

Consider the postage stamp:  its usefulness consists in the ability to stick to one thing till it gets there.  ~Josh Billings

I'm going to stick with this dieting and exercising thing till I get wherever it is I am going with all of this dieting and exercising. 

For a week, I have been having fun exercising. I was also eating less until the last couple of days. However, I won't let that deter me. Sticking with this like a postage stamp. 

Ringing out the sweat

"What lies behind you and what lies in front of you, pales in comparison to what lies inside of you. " ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson 

I found out today that what is inside of me must be lots and lots of sweat.  I was on the treadclimber for thirty minutes and I was sweating profusely.  It was a great workout but I could ring sweat out of my shirt. 

Patience

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

With a little patience my two youngest boys were able to quietly walk into the woods, wait patiently for an hour or so and end up killing two bucks this morning.  I'm sure my oldest was patient too but he didn't have as much luck.

I went to the gym to work out.  I patiently worked out for close to an hour.  I got on the scale today for the first time in about 5 days.  I was pleased the number was lower.  I was hoping for a lower number but it was lower, so I'll be patient.

We are all adopting the pace of nature and trying to be patient!  Trying, really hard!

Dripping with sweat

"Healthy is not a number. It is a lifestyle." ~ Bob Harper

Today, I found twenty minutes to exercise. I ran, yes ran, for all twenty minutes. It was sweet! I also spent 12 minutes on the treadclimber.  I also did a quick 15 minute circuit.  I was dripping with sweat.  

Get the agony over

"Run like hell and get the agony over with." ~ Clarence DeMar

I ran for another twenty minutes today. Insane, I know. 

It was a bit agonizing. When I had five, maybe seven minutes left to run I had to dig deep mentally to keep going. 

I felt great when it was over. 

Run, Scott, Run.

"Healthy is not a number. It is a lifestyle." ~ Bob Harper

Today, I found twenty minutes to exercise. I ran, yes ran, for all twenty minutes. It was sweet!

Good reasons to replace the carpet

"The worn out carpeting proves I snack too much ... Tomorrow I get prices on hardwood floors." ~ Marty Bucella 

The carpet in our house does need replacing although putting in hardwood to hide the path to the kitchen really is extreme, although it is a good excuse for getting new carpet. 

I really need to stop the snacking or get rid of the snacks. I'm thinking it would be cheaper than replacing the carpet. 

Halloween cake

"We used to go around tipping outhouses over, or turning over corn shocks on Halloween. Anything to be mean." ~ Loretta Lynn

I baked a Halloween cake tonight because all the chocolate candy was gone. We bought the Halloween candy the middle of October so the only thing left is the non-chocolate candy.  I added chocolate pudding and chocolate chips to the cake to ensure I got more than enough chocolate for Halloween night. 

Brownies

Charlie Brown is the one person I identify with.  C.B. is such a loser.  He wasn't even the star of his own Halloween special.  ~Chris Rock

I'm a sucker for a brownie. Make that mote than one brownie. I can't walk past a plate full of brownies without having one. Tonight was no exception.

Photography, laundry

"Whatever you are be a good one." ~Abraham Lincoln

I spent the first half of my day walking campus taking photos.  I spent the second half doing laundry and organizing the mess in the storage room.  Being good at whatever you are is a lot of work and wears a person out. 

Giving thanks for today, Fighting for tomorrow

"Give thanks for what you are now, and keep fighting for what you want to be tomorrow."  ~Fernanda Miramontes-Landeros

I love this quote.  I always forget to give thanks for what I am now and too often I stop fighting for what I want to be in the future. 

Love me some grilled chicken salad, not once but twice

"You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream. " ~ C.S. Lewis

It's been a good day. In fact, it's been a great day.  

I kick started the day with ten minutes of yoga. It was a great way to wake up. I really should do it more often.  The stretching and the breathing actually does wake me up. 

I also ate healthy all day long. I had eggs and ham for breakfast. I had a spinach salad with a grilled chicken breast for lunch while dining at Annie's Station.  It is my favorite new salad.  And for dinner, I had my other favorite grilled chicken salad at Chop House. 

As I said, it has been a great day!

Small decisions

Sometimes its the smallest decisions that can change your life forever. ~ Keri Russell

Today, I made a small decision to exercise more and eat less.  I'm really hoping it changes my life forever. 

Chocolate chip diet?

"As for those grapefruit and buttermilk diets, I'll take roast  chicken and dumplings." ~ Hattie McDaniel

I'm considering a chocolate chip cookie diet.  I know I could survive on it and I would certainly be happy!

Fit me for a Santa suit

"You're going to disappoint the children.  They expect a fat Santa." ~ Mrs. Claus, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

As much Halloween candy I am stuffing in my mouth, you would think I was preparing to fatten up for a role as a department store Santa. 

I didn't exercise today but I did make sure that I parked further from the door and I used the bathroom on the opposite side of the building so I could get in more steps today. 

I ate well too. I had whole wheat bread with my eggs for breakfast.  I had a banana with my oven roasted chicken sandwich at lunch.  I had a salad with my grilled chicken strips for dinner.   It was the blasted Halloween candy that brought me to my knees. 

Just give me time and I will fit into the Santa suit.

Lazy Sunday

"Some people drink from the fountain of knowledge; others just gargle." ~ Anonymous

No drinking from the fountain of knowledge today. I've been on the sofa watching TV. The most I've done today is loads and loads of laundry. It's been a lazy Sunday. 

Walk, hike and roll

"You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in. " ~ Dr. Seuss

I believe this Dr. Seuss quote says it all.  I am in pretty good shape for the shape I am in. 

Logan has been wanting to walk the golf cart path ever since we got here.  I believe he was more interested in strolling by the ducks to torment the poor creatures.  

I agreed to go for a walk with him before the sun went down.  I was correct about the ducks.  He tried to get close to one and of course they weren't having it.  They dove in the lake and quickly swam to safety. 

I reminded Logan we were on a walk.  He recommended we walk up the hill towards the club house.  I agreed, although our stroll was quickly becoming less of a stroll and more of a hike. 

We talked golf and tees until I was gasping for air and couldn't speak.   We walked around the club house and headed back in the direction of the condo. 

As we are descending down the driveway, Logan recommends I run with him to the bottom of the hill. 

"Seriously," I said. "Don't you think we might fall."

"Not me," Logan laughed. 

So, against my better judgement we ran down a hill paved in asphalt.  I was expecting a tragic end with me rolling like a boulder to the bottom of a ravine. Luckily, I survived!

Let's eat

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. " ~ Dr. Suess

Today was one of those days when the diet was completely put on hold. 

We are on a weekend trip to Branson.  We started our day with homemade biscuits and gravy.  Then it was off to Silver Dollar City where I munched on chicken strips and French fries.  After a dip in the pool, we had steak, baked potatoes and green beans.  

I ate it all and enjoyed it guilt free. I'll exercise tomorrow. 

Skipping breakfast

      
“But there are advantages to being elected President. The day after I was elected, I had my high school grades classified Top Secret.” ~ Ronald Reagan

Today is a special day. Instead of one blog post there will be two.  Yesterday's post didn't make it to "print".  

I skipped breakfast yesterday morning which wasn't wise for many reasons.  I was on edge most of the morning and showed my frustration with co-workers.  By lunch, I was so hungry I made unwise and unhealthy choices such as a Quarter Pounder with Cheese and a medium French Fries from McDonalds.

Even my dinner didn't satisfy me and I ended up eating way too much Halloween candy. 

Let the holidays begin

"When the bold branches bid farewell to rainbow leaves...welcome wool sweaters." ~ B. Cybrill

If the cold snap we are having is tge beginning of winter, this means I must put away the short sleeves and get out the winter clothes. I certainly hope I have a sweater that fits me.  

Rainbow leaves aren't the only thing bidding farewell. I'm bidding a farewell to dieting.  Bags of Halloween candy showed up in our house and the stitches came out of my mouth today, so the holidays have officially started.  

First it is the Halloween candy, then it is the turkey and pie and finally it is the Christmas cookies.  I usually eat my way through the last ten weeks of the year and eventually gaining ten pounds by the New Year.  

Perhaps this year that won't be the case. 

Still hungry

The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again.  ~George Miller

The trouble with my Italian lunch today was that it wasn't very satisfying.

Is Chicken Marsala really suppose to be deep fried?  I believe mine was left in the frying pan too long.  

I hope I cut some calories by not eating the breading.  I was expecting better. 

Next time we eat the cookie dough

"There is a peculiar burning odor in the room, like explosives. the kitchen fills with smoke and the hot, sweet, ashy smell of scorched cookies. The war has begun. " ~ Alison Lurie

I should have known making chocolate chip cookies from scratch was a mistake. I haven't done such a thing since, I don't know, the summer of 1984. 

As I was mixing the ingredients Logan was right beside me.  He was questioning my baking abilities and rightfully so.  He laughed when I was stirring the stubborn, stiff ingredients that eventually became my cookie dough.  

"You are really getting a workout stirring that cookie dough," Logan said.  

"If he gets in his workout making the cookie dough, then he can eat more cookies," said Caleb. 

Sounded like a plan, until the first cookies came out of the oven flat as pancakes and hard as dog biscuits. I should have taken Caleb's other advice and just ate the cookie dough. 

Chopping wood

“People love chopping wood. In this activity one immediately sees results.” ~ Albert Einstein 

The Einstein quote appropriately describes the day for my family and I.  The boys and I joined Paula, my Mom and my brothers, Kevin and Jeff to cut down several dead trees in the woods. 

It was a beautiful day for cutting wood but now I am exhausted.   I believe it was more intense than my workout I did yesterday. 

I hope I worked off a whole pound!

New use for an old ball

"Believe you can and you are half way there." ~ Theodore Roosevelt 

Logan is fascinated with the exercise ball that didn't sell on the rummage sale.  He isn't using it to do situps instead he is outside shooting hoops with it.  At least someone is getting some use out of it. 

I stopped using the ball at home. I have been using the exercise balls at the gym.  I'm not sure that I'm doing it properly because I'm still carrying around this gut. 

Let's have some pizza

      
“For the first time ever, overweight people outnumber average people in America. Doesn't that make overweight the average then? Last month you were fat, now you're average - hey, let's get a pizza!” ~ Jay Leno 

It's always a good Friday night when   the family and I have dinner at Dave's Pizza and Wings.

They offer salads, which are very good but I wasn't all that interested in diet food. It's a pizza place for goodness sakes. I had pizza! 

Love the pizza!

PB&J

"My mom used to make everything. She had a great garden and composted and made everything from scratch - peanut butter, bread, jelly, everything. I don't know how she did it because all those things take time and love and labour." ~ Julia Roberts

Mom raised four boys. She also planted a garden, a gigantic garden and she too made everything too. I don't how she found the time and love either. 

Julia's quote caught my attention because it was about food and it made me laugh.  Seriously, your Mom made peanut butter.  I can imagine her delivering the line, so that made it even funnier.  

I love Julia Roberts.  She is my favorite actress of all time.  I would pay money to watch Julia Roberts eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  Anyone else hungry for a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!

Reaching a goal

"There is nothing to be intimidated about - it's just another long run where a few more people show up and they happen to wear numbers."
Wesley Stafford

I am going to take this opportunity to brag and explain why I ate so much pizza at CC's Pizza. 

I went to CC's Pizza to celebrate with the St George Cross Country team. The boys and girls had an awesome season. Boys came in second place repeatedly this season and the girls finished first several times.  

Tonight, Caleb hit his goal to break into the top ten. He came in 10th tonight. Last year his goal at the same meet was to come in 30th. Major improvement from a year ago. 

Awesome season. 

Run, Dad, Run

"If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world." ~ J. R. R. Tolkien, British scholar & fantasy novelist (1892 - 1973)

While dining at McDonald's with Caleb and Logan, we talked and laughed and ate our dinner. 

After eating my grilled chicken sandwich sans the mayo, I told the boys that a chocolate chip cookie sounded good right about now. 

The boys recommended I purchase not one cookie from McDonalds but a whole tote full of chocolate chip cookies. They sell those in a cute little Baker's Dozen Tote. 

I discouraged the purchase only to have the boys recommend I stop by the grocery store to buy those break and bake chocolate chip cookies. 

"Seriously, I have done really well on my diet today," I said. 

"You can go for a run while the cookies bake," said Caleb. 

"And again after you eat the cookies," said Logan. 

As hard as they tried, I didn't purchase the cookie tote or the cookie dough.  The cookies would have tasted delicious but I wasn't thrilled with their solution...run,then run again!

Worry more, diet less?

"I highly recommend worrying. It is much more effective than dieting. " ~ William Powell

It's been another uneventful day of dieting.  I didn't get out of bed to exercise. I ate too little for lunch and too much for dinner. I ended my day eating three scoops from the cookie dough container and when I was given the time and the place to exercise, I only walked thirteen minutes.  

Yeah, I'm over the dieting and ready to give worrying a try. 

Dusty hayride

"Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ~ Carol Bishop Hips

It was a beautiful day for a hayride. It could have been a little less dusty and I could have ate a little less food.   No leaf-kicking but the leaves are certainly changing.

Explore, dream and discover

 "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  ~ Mark Twain 

 I really like this quote by Mark Twain. It may be my favorite new quote. I'm not sure how it relates to eating less, exercising more and losing weight. I'm sure it applies somehow. 

Stealing bases

"Progress always involves risks.  You can't steal second base and keep your foot on first."  ~Frederick B. Wilcox

I wish the Cardinals baseball team all the best tonight.  I have high hopes that any base stealing will be risks worth taking. 

I'm taking a risk that if I eat less and exercise more I can reach my weight loss goal by Christmas. Thirty pounds in 78 days.  I can think of no better gift to give myself for Christmas and my birthday! Sounds risky to me!

Now, let's steal some bases.

Positive changes coming soon

"Don't keep pushing off a better life to "next week", start making positive changes today." ~Bob Harper

In a few days, seventy-eight days to be exact, it will be my forty-second birthday.  I really want to reach my goal weight by my birthday.  

Unfortunately I keep pushing off a "better life" for more sleep and another chocolate chip cookie.  It's ridiculous.  It really is time to make some positive changes. 

Rice cakes?

Eating rice cakes is like chewing on a foam coffee cup, only less filling. ~ Dave Berry

I have never ate a rice cake in my life but I am considering it.  If it will help me lose weight I willing to give it a try.

Accept yourself, extra pounds and all

      
“Accept everything about yourself--I mean everything. You are you and that is the beginning and the end--no apologies, no regrets.” ~ Henry Kissinger
 
I suppose today's quote means that I should accept the 30 extra pounds I'm carrying around.   According to my BMI, I am overweight and borderline obese.  I really need to do something about that.  Perhaps I shouldn't be eating my lunch from a paper bag that was served to me through the window of my car.  

Better luck tomorrow!

Dust off the thigh master

"Not everything should be displayed at a garage sale. There are items too embarrassing to sell on your own property.  It is not the place to associate yourself with any exercise device sold by a celebrity on a late night infommercial." ~ Rick Dickert

I guess that means I won't be putting the ThighMaster on the rummage sale!

Actually, I could use a thigh master gadget right about now.  I consumed entirely too many calories today, especially carbohydrates.  

I started the day off really well. I exercised for 42 minutes. I ate a really healthy breakfast.  Then it came to lunch at McDonalds and it all went downhill from there. 

Enjoy the food

"Each serving contains 17 grams of WHO CARES, 22 grams of MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS and 54 grams of SHUT UP AND LET ME ENJOY MY FOOD!” ~ Randy Glasbergen.

I ate plenty and enjoyed every minute of it.  There was scrambled eggs, fruit and yogurt for breakfast.   Then, a delicious turkey sandwich loaded with veggies and a little mayo.  For an afternoon snack, I enjoyed my Mother's homemade chocolate chip cookies.  And for supper, I enjoyed a grilled pork steak, baked beans and a baked potato.   

As I said, plenty of food and I enjoyed every last morsel. 

Wiped out

"I learned about stress management from my kids. Every night after work, I drink as much chocolate milk as my stomach will hold, eat handfuls of sugary cereal straight from the box, then run around the house in my underwear squealing like a monkey." ~ Randy Glasbergen

I'm exhausted.  I started the day with twenty minutes of weight lifting.  I walked up a hill and down main street to participate in a parade. I stood on a concrete floor for a few hours serving sausage for the fall festival.  I am wiped out. 

Thin like French fries

"If you are what you eat, I'd rather be thin like a French fry than round like a head of lettuce!" ~ Randy Glasbergen.

I always knew there was a reason I loved McDondlds thin and crispy French fries.  Now, I know. It's because I would rather be thin like a French fry.  

Smile already

"It takes seventeen muscles to smile and forty-three to frown." ~Author Unknown

I wonder how many calories you burn when you smile.   I smiled a few times.  So, surely I have burned some calories working those 17 muscles. 

What can you carry?

"Physical strength is measured by what we can carry; spiritual by what we can bear."  ~Author Unknown

I carried a few baskets of laundry today and I lifted a few weights.  If I could carry less loads of laundry and more weights I might not weigh as much!

Done?

"I am so happy you ate 37 doughnuts to workout at 5:00 in the morning!" ~ Bob Harper

I didn't eat 37 doughnuts today but I did overeat today.  I got on the scale today and not a single pound. I was pissed off. 

"Done," I told myself. "I am done.". I'm not sure what I meant by that.  I was thinking no more weighing myself.  Then, I was thinking no more watching what I eat.  And finally, I was done with dieting. 

I'm still not sure what I meant but I am acted as if I am done.  I ate and ate and ate all day.  And I only exercised for fourteen minutes.  I need to get a grip!

Drying off with beach towels

“I’ve gained a few pounds around the middle.  The only lower-body garments I own that still fit me comfortably are towels.”  Dave Barry.

I've gained and re-gained my share of weight over the years.   I always know it is time to go back on a diet when my bathroom towel doesn't wrap nice and snug around my body.   It is an indication that either my gut is immensely large or my backside is enormously huge.  

I've considered purchasing a huge, gigantic beach towel instead of dieting.  

Wiping the sweat off my face

You have a choice. You can throw in the towel, or you can use it to wipe the sweat off of your face.
--Gatorade

My choice was using the towel!  Forty-two minutes and plenty of sweat to wipe from my face. 

Cares, weight will drop like autumn leaves

Climb the mountains and get their good tidings.  Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.  The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.  ~John Muir

For me, this quote says it all.  John Muir captures exactly how I feel about autumn.  It is one of my favorite times of the year. 

Yesterday, was a perfect fall day. My family and I spent the entire day working outside.  The yard looks fantastic. 

I was so wiped out from the time spent outdoors and my early morning workout at the gym that I fell asleep without writing this post. Today, there will be two posts. 

Moving myself

"If a man would move the world, he must first move himself." - Socrates

Lots of moving happening in our world today. 

Caleb and Logan ended their week of school with a cross country meet.  Caleb was moved to get ahead of the pack he's been running with and he came in 12th place tonight.  

Awesome and inspiring. 

I ended my week on a high as well.  I completed another 28 minute cardio workout this morning.   I weighed in five pounds lighter than I was last week this time.  I'm moving in the right direction and I am determined to reach my fitness goals for the year. 

Crazy good

"My favorite vegetable is pudding. I didn't know it was a vegetable until I saw it on a salad bar." ~ Randy Glasbergen 

I don't know where I found the energy or the enthusiasm but I worked out twice today.  I spent 28 minutes on the treadmill this morning. Then after dinner I went to the gym a second time and went all crazy staying on the treadmill 49 minutes. 

I know... Crazy! Crazy good but nonetheless crazy. 

Farewell big belly

 "I need a big belly. You can't fit this much charm and personality into a small package!" ~ Randy Glasbergen 

I really don't want a big belly.  I'd rather try fitting what charm and personality I might possibly have into a small package. 

Today, I successfully trotted along on the treadmill for 28 minutes.  Farewell, big belly. 

Only eat soft food for four weeks

"Happiness is your dentist telling you it won't hurt and then having him catch his hand in the drill. " ~Johnny Carson

I had dental work done today.  

After the dentist completed the two hour procedure, I was instructed to only eat soft food for the next four weeks. 

"Did you mean to say 4 days?" I asked. 

"No, 4 weeks," said the dental assistant. 

"Wow," I said. "This should certainly help with my weight loss goals."

Well, the first thing I had to eat was a 700 plus chocolate shake, so maybe not so much. 

Try, try again

"If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.  Then give up.  There's no use in being a damn fool about it." ~W.C. Fields

Perhaps I am being a damn fool.  I haven't given up yet.  I talked myself into getting up early to exercise and once again I am counting calories. I'm trying and trying to get back into tip top physical condition. I'm trying and trying and trying. 

"If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you." ~Arthur McAuliff 

I didn't go skydiving today, but I did complete a 49 minute workout at the gym.  I did a little cardio. Lifted some weights. Walked the track. Did some situps. 

Boiling order

"Pray that success will not come any faster than you are able to endure it. " ~Elbert Hubbard

Boiling order for our water district.

After getting drinking water from my Mom's house, we were set for the day. 

So, we thought!

Later in the day Logan had to get ready for his night out.  Tailgating and MU football.  

"How will I take a shower?" he asked. 

We assured him the shower was not raining down poison and he could take a shower despite the boiling order. 

"But what if I get some in my mouth," he asked.  

Anyhow we got him showered and on his way and we made a warm healthy pot of chili. When I mean we, I mean Paula. Health nonetheless.

Something wrong with the scale

“Self delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales.” – Paul Sweeney

I pulled in my stomach this morning and it didn't do a thing for me.  Unfortunately, the number on the scale has gone back up again. What's up with that?!

No fun

"Fun-sized Snickers? Who’s this fun for? Not me. I need six or seven of these babies in a row to start having fun." ~ Jeff Carlin

I'm fresh out of Snickers.  So, no fun for me!

Gettin' my priorities straight

"Health and intellect are the two blessings of life." ~ Menander

I should have went to the gym to exercise but instead I baked cookies and watched mindless television. I seriously need to get my priorities straight.

Bug in the bag in the freezer

Our own physical body possesses a wisdom which we who inhabit the body lack.  We give it orders which make no sense.  ~Henry Miller

While reaching for the ice cream bucket I found what appeared to be a sandwich bag. When I picked it up, I realized there was a small critter in the bag. It was a tiny green grasshopper. 

I realized the bug in the bag was for my oldest son.  Derek's been collecting bugs and leaves and a number of other things in nature.  His little brother Logan has been more than happy to help him out with the project.  He's been collecting ants and worms and other tiny living things for weeks.  He finds it, bags it and in the freezer it goes.  

It is totally disgusting.  You would think that it would repulse me enough that I wouldn't want to eat the ice cream from the freezer.  It doesn't. I still topped my brownie with chocolate chip ice cream and chocolate syrup.  Don't judge...after all it is International Chocolate Day!

We live in a fast paced society. Walking slows us down. ~ Robert Sweetgall

Today remained fast paced and I didn't walk!

Wiped out by lawn mowing

It is better to deserve honors and not have them than to have them and not deserve them. - Mark Twain

Some days I should go back to bed and start all over.  Today is one of those days. 

I cut the grass for the first time all summer. My oldest has refused to let anyone else cut the grass. Since he was busy this weekend, I decided to do it. 

Why I got on the lawn mower is beyond me?!   I had no gas and had to go back to town for gas.  One wheel was flat and the other one fell off and rolled into the woods. Once the wheel was back on, I couldn't make any right turns. I had to borrow the neighbors lawn mower. 

I got in a workout at the gym earlier today so it has been an exhausting day. 

Making it to the finish line

"In running, it doesn't matter whether you come in first, in the middle of the pack, or last. You can say, 'I have finished.' There is a lot of satisfaction in that." 
-Fred Lebow, New York City Marathon co-founder

I thought this was a perfect quote for all the men and women, boys and girls who ran today.  

I'm very proud of my two boys who ran their first cross country race of the season. The boys and the rest of the Saint George team had a great run despite the mud. 

I'm also really proud of all my friends who ran today during the Roots and Blues Festival in Columbia, Missouri.  I admire anyone, any age who slips on a pair of running shoes and finds the courage to make it from the starting line to the finish line, no matter the distance. 

Awesome work everyone. 

New dish, bad choice

"Life is a combination of magic and pasta." - Federico Fellini

Have you ever went to a  restaurant with the intention of ordering your favorite dish only to talk yourself into trying something new on the menu and later regretting your decision?

I did just that this evening.  My family and I made an impromptu trip to the Olive Garden this evening. I was going to order my favorite dish - the Chicken Scampi - 2700 calories of pasta, chicken, bell peppers and onions smothered in pure butter.   Instead of ordering the Scampi, I opted for a new dish - the Mediterranean Chicken - a combination of pasta, grilled chicken, spinach, tomatoes, black olives and feta cheese.  It sounded good until I had my first bite.  The sauce overpowered everything on the plate.  It was a bad choice, one I won't make again!

Gray hair, expanding waistline

"Worrying about gray hair when your weight's soaring out of control is like mowing your lawn while your house is on fire. " ~ Edward Ugel, I'm With Fatty: Losing Fifty Pounds in Fifty Miserable Weeks, 2010

I'm not sure what else I can say. This quote says it all.   No sense in worrying about my gray hair as my waistline grows larger and larger.  

I've been working on shrinking the waste line most of the year.  If you read this blog, you know I had extraordinary success in the beginning of the year.   Then Dad passed away, and the dieting and exercising didn't seem all that important.   

The summer was brutal.  Busy at work, busy at home.   Little exercise and excessive eating, quickly put the pounds back on.  And now it's autumn.  

Perhaps I should go back to worrying about the gray hair!

A stick of butter, stick margarine... does it really matter?

“As for butter versus margarine, I trust cows more than chemists.” ~ Joan Gussow

Be it a stick of butter or a stick of margarine, it really doesn't matter to me.   It really makes my fried potatoes taste really, really, really good.

Tonight I prepared a big skillet of diced onions and potatoes.  Before I diced the onions and sliced the potatoes, in went the stick of margarine.   I even added a dash of extra virgin olive oil.   It was like being Paula Dean and Rachel Ray all at the same time!

There wasn't a potato left in the skillet when we got done with dinner this evening.  It's a good thing the pork chops were grilled! 

God has other plans

"What saves a man is to take a step. Then another step. " ~ C.S. Lewis

I am comforting myself with a big bowl of ice cream.  I had big plans to exercise this evening but instead I am helping my boys do their homework.  I suppose God has other plans for my evening. 
 
No steps today, just scoops and scoops of ice cream.

"We never repent of having eaten too little." ~ Thomas Jefferson, 1825

Fifty minutes of walking the track led to one big blister on my foot.  Oh well... No pain, no gain. 

Beautiful weather

"Tell me what you eat, I'll tell you who you are." ~ Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Beautiful autumn-like day.  Overnight it rained and with the rain came cooler weather. It's only 78 degrees.

The cool breeze combined with the baby blue sky was so inviting, I had to go outside for a walk. It was a quick, brisk walk.  Nonetheless it was a walk. 

Beautiful indeed. 

112 crunches while watching a movie

“People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” ~Zig Ziglar


I completed 112 crunches today.  I didn't run 112 miles.  I didn't climb 112 steps.  I didn't lift a 112 pound barbell.   All I did was 112 crunches in my living room while watching a movie. 
 
Better luck tomorrow when the weather will be more autumn like!  I can't wait!

No more diet books

“I tried every diet in the book. I tried some that weren’t in the book. I tried eating the book. It tasted better than most of the diets.” ~Dolly Parton

I have sworn off diet books this year. 

I have a huge box of diet books in the basement. I even have a few in my bedside table and I might have a couple in the trunk of my car. Even with all these books, I am still overweight!

After buying two diet books in December of last year, I told myself that no matter what this was it. I wasn't going to buy any more diet and health books.  It is September and so far I have not purchased any diet books. I have picked some up, carried them around in the store, but I have always put the books back or I have left them at the checkout. I have not purchased them. 

Soon we will be having a rummage sale and those books are going on the sale. I'm done. I am finished reading and ready to follow what we all know is the answer - eat less, exercise more. 

How many calories burned pitching a tent?

"How many packs of gum would I have to chew to burn as many calories as two miles of jogging?" ~ Randy Glasbergen 

I wish I would have jogged two miles today. I would have even settled for two miles of walking.  Instead I had to spend an hour watching my three boys argue and fight while putting up a tent for the weekend. 

Instead of losing weight this evening, I might have lost my sanity, maybe even my religion. 

Good night all

“Health is the first muse, and sleep is the condition to produce it” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson


If sleep is the condition to produce health, then I'm all for it.   I am so blasted tired that I can't wait to go to bed tonight.  I probably fall asleep the minute my head hits the pillow.
 
It was an awesome day at work but one that required my co-workers and I to be on the go and on our feet all day long.   The special event had plenty of ins and outs, ups and downs, however, it made for a memorable event to celebrate a major milestone for the college.
 
It's been a long day.  I'm wiped out.   It's time for sleep.  Good night all.

More sleep, less exercise

"Exercise should be regarded as tribute to the heart." ~ Gene Tunney

I am tired and wiped out and exercise is the last thing I feel like doing. 

Last night I turned off the alarm and decided I would let my internal clock wake me up.  It was my intention to get caught up on my sleep. I don't know that I caught up on my sleep but I did sleep a little later. My internal clock went off at 5:30 a.m.  

I got up but I didn't have time for a full workout so I did some stretching and some situps. So, that is all the body got for today!

Slowly slipping into a sugar coma

“Dinosaurs didn’t smoke cigarettes, drink alcohol, or eat junk food… and where are they now!?”  ~ Randy Glasbergen

I'm really struggling this evening. I am eating it all.  

I kicked off the evening with a leftover brownie. Then while helping Logan with homework, I ate Triscuits straight from the box. Even after a delicious pork loin, a four layer cheese rice dish and steamed carrots, I still unloaded the tub of chocolate chip cookie dough from the freezer so I could bake some cookies. 

It's insanity. I have thrown the diet out the window today and I am on a sugar high.  Soon I will crash and burn just in time for bed. 

Together again at the dining table

He who eats alone chokes alone. ~Proverb


Tonight was the first night all five of us have been home at the same time. We actually sat down at the dining room table for dinner.

It was a superb meal. Paula grilled steaks, cooked green beans and twice-baked our potatoes. It was delicious.

It was a great way to end the weekend.

I need sleep

"Sleep is the best meditation."
-Dalai Lama

Oh sleep would be so nice.  After two late nights in a row, you would think that I would sleep for hours and hours.  However, I didn't fall asleep until 11:00 p.m.  and then I was up at 6:00 a.m.  

In-between the loads of laundry, I am hoping I get some much needed sleep.  

Sleep is good for my health, so I best get plenty of it.  Not only is it good for my health but good for everyone else around me!  

Tired feet and a beautiful moment

"Walking is free. Get up and get moving." ~ Bob Harper

No more walking for me today, maybe not even tomorrow. I'm thinking no walking for the rest of the weekend!

I just got home from three days of a superb outdoor leadership course with my son Caleb.   Besides all the ropes courses and the swimming there was excessive walking.  And it seemed we walked uphill everywhere we went. 

The walk to the cabins was uphill. The walk to the shower house was uphill. The walk to the pool was uphill. The walk to the dining hall was uphill.  The walk from the lake back to the top of the slide was ... well you get it... Uphill!

Although my feet are tired, I am thrilled the camp went so well for the  junior high school kids.  I am always amazed by the confidence the ropes courses build in each and every student.  Left and right, students are climbing poles and walls,  crossing wires, and jumping from trees.  With each drop of sweat, they let go of their fears and put their trust in themselves and others. 

Perhaps the most awesome moment of the entire camp was when a young man facing his own physical challenges was able to garner enough self confidence to climb the pole and get on the walking bridge. What brought me, as well as other adults, to tears was witnessing over 40 some teenagers stop what they were doing to focus on helping the young man have the courage to get across the high wire walking bridge. 

A beautiful moment!

Everything is uphill at Camp Sabra

"God sent Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden for eating the apple. Apples have carbs and carbs are evil." ~ Randy Glasbergen 

It's been an exceptionally good day with a bunch of teenagers.  

It's been a mentally and physically challenge day at Camp Sabra with St George's Junior High.  We walked  many miles. We climbed high into the sky. And we swam in the pool and lake. 

As one parent said, "I think everything is uphill around here!". That is how much we've walked and hiked today.

Great day for the kids and the adults. 

Off to camp we go

"I just look at a bagel and my a** gets bigger!” ~ Jillian Michaels

I'm loading up on the protein this morning.  I have ate three eggs and a large glass of chocolate milk.

I'm participating in St. George's annual trip to Camp Sabra for the 6th, 7th and 8th graders.   It's been my experience that the meals at the camp are high in carbohydrates.   It's great for the kids because they are climbing walls, crossing tight ropes and zip lining.  For me, the food just goes to my hips!

Anyhow, looking forward to another fun time at camp.

Paula Deen again

"I'm your cook, honey, not your doctor!" ~ Paula Deen

Tonight Paula came home to inform us she was trying a new Paula Deen recipe. Logan instantly moaned.  "Not that again!"

The last time Paula sprung a Food Network recipe on us Logan wasn't impressed.   Paula made what she called Rachel Ray potatoes.  According to Logan they were nasty!

Anyhow, despite Logan's comments, the Paula Dean enchiladas were delicious. 

Under stress, living with kids. You might be fat!

“Forget your diet, let the chocolate chips fall where they may.” ~ Author Unknown

At the dinner table, Caleb tells me that he heard on the TV that most people who have kids and are under a lot of stress are usually fat. 

I looked at him with a glare. "What are you trying to say Caleb?" I asked. 

According to Caleb there is a medication I can take to get rid of the fat. 

I thought he was going to tell me that there is a drug to get rid of the kids and the stress. 

Of course, Caleb can't remember the medication's name.  "I think it starts with a Z."

Thanks a lot Caleb!

Munchies

"My diet says I can have 1800 calories per day. It doesn’t say anything about night!” ~ Randy Glasbergen

Munchies. I have the munchies really bad today.  

Do you ever have days like that? You eat something and an hour later your looking in the pantry or the refrigerator looking for something to eat. 

It is days like today that I consume entirely too many calories. I am guessing that I have went over my limit. 

I hate days like this!!

Moving forward

Pain is temporary. Quitting lasts forever. ~ Lance Armstrong

While the lightening was dancing in the sky early this morning, I was safely tucked away inside the gym on a treadmill.  While it rained, I jogged. 

In addition to the jogging I lifted some dumbbells. It was the day to workout the arms - the shoulders, the triceps and biceps.  It turned out to be a very productive forty minutes. 

I'm still dealing with the awful blister on my foot. Despite the pain I am pushing through it and making some progress. So today's forty minutes were an even bigger deal for me. I'm not quitting. 

Step on scale, suck in your stomach

“Self delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales.” – Paul Sweeney

I stepped on the scale this morning. I believe I might have rid myself of a pound.  At least, it was a number I haven't seen in awhile. I didn't even have to suck in my stomach before getting on the scale. 

Tremendous boredom

The word aerobics comes from two Greek words: aero, meaning "ability to," and bics, meaning "withstand tremendous boredom." ~ Dave Berry

I've been considering the P90X workout or maybe the other workout by Mr. Horton.  What's it called, intensity or insanity?  I don't recall. I've hesitated purchasing or even borrowing the DVDs because I have tried such silly exercise programs before only to be - how did Dave Berry say it - "tremendously bored".

I'm getting ready to calculate my calories and activity for the day. I'm anticipating it won't be pretty. I didn't workout today so there won't be any activity to record. As for the food I ate, well it was a high calorie, high carbohydrate day.  Lasagna and pizza in the same day.  Not exactly diet food.

By the time I am done calculating my calories, I might be wishing I put one of those boring exercise DVDs in the player this morning.

Five calories over the limit

"It is a scientific fact that your body will not absorb cholesterol if you take it from another person's plate." ~ Dave Berry

I'm back to counting calories. Counting calories isn't fun but it does work for me. 

For the last couple of days I've been under my calorie count. Today I was five calories over.  I should have skipped the bowl of ice cream tonight. 

Although it isn't fun, it is easier to do nowadays with online services and mobile applications to do the work for you. Now if there was an app that did the exercise for me I would be set!

Downsizing

"Without ice cream, there would be darkness and chaos." ~ Don Kardong

It's time to get serious and eliminate some calories from my daily diet.

I'm starting with ice cream. I'm not giving up ice cream. Let's not be crazy.  I'm trying to downsize my ice cream bowl.   I have been eating from a soup bowl, a large soup bowl, more like a gravy bowl.  So this evening I ate my chocolate chip ice cream in a smaller soup bowl.  

Bucket of chicken

“It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car.” ~ Michael Pollan


Tonight’s dinner didn’t arrive through the window of a car, but it did arrive in a cardboard bucket from Wal-mart.

Unfortunately, it was less than what I had anticipated. On many occasions my family and I have purchased the $10 buckets of chicken from Wal-mart especially when there isn’t time to prepare dinner. Usually, we dine on three very delicious flavors of piping hot chicken.

Sadly, the usual flavors of chicken weren’t available. The only options were chicken tenders, popcorn chicken and deep fried ravioli. Although it might sound appetizing, it wasn’t. The chicken tenders were hard as a rock and the popcorn chicken tasted like breaded little balls of grease.

Despite a less than satisfying high calorie dinner, I did stay under my calorie budget for the day.

Giving the kneeboard a workout

"The water is your friend. You don't have to fight with water, just share the same spirit as the water, and it will help you move." ~Aleksandr Popov

Kneeboarding is an acquatic sport.  My first clue that I wouldn't be good at kneeboarding should have been the word - sport.

Last year while camping at Mark Twain Lake, I tried kneeboarding. I tried over and over again to get myself up on the kneeboard. I actually got up on the board but don't blink because you would likely miss it. 

One year later, I am back at Mark Twain Lake, back on a boat and once again in the water trying to get my big ole behind on a tiny little flat object floating in the water.  After three or four tries, I finally got myself up on the kneeboard and for a few brief moments I was gliding across the water.  It was quite a workout getting on the kneeboard. Staying on it not as much.

All adults and children on the boat feared I would be in pain this morning when I got out of bed.  I didn't dispute it. I was certain I might experience a number of aches and pains. Fortunately that wasn't the case and I was one of the first up this morning ready to go! 

Horse flies and blisters

Perhaps the truth depends on a walk around the lake.  ~Wallace Stevens

I took a walk around the Mark Twain Lake early this morning. I didn't come back with any truth. Instead I came back with a huge blister. 

I've been wearing these new tennis shoes for over a month.  Not once did I get a blister. Today I take a leisure forty minute walk down the highway near our campground and I get a huge blister. 

Not only did I get a blister the size of a quarter, I also got attacked by a vicious horse fly.  It was relentless.  I tried to out run it but it insisted on joining me for what was suppose to be an enjoyable stroll. 

Half way back to the campground the pain from the blister became too much. I took off my tennis shoe and hobbled the rest of the way back to the campground. Every time the horse fly showed up I would shake my shoe at it. 

For all the pain and turmoil of this morning's walk, surely I've lost a half a pound of fat!

All food bad for you after forty

"After age 40, all food is bad for you.  Learn to chew air and eat rocks." ~ Randy Glasbergen.

My family rushed me to make a decision about what I wanted to eat at McDonalds. I didn't want to eat at McDonalds for lunch but we are on our way to go camping and the boys were in a hurry. 

There aren't very many healthy options on the menu.  Since all food is bad for you once you reach 40, does it really matter if I have the five dollar grilled chicken sandwich or the  buy one get one free Big Mac.  I think not!

And by the way, the rocks in the parking lot didn't look all that tasty. I should just do as Randy Glasbergen suggests and chew on air.

Pumping iron vs. Sawing logs

"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable." ~ Jillian Michaels

Oh, geez. Jillian Michaels is right.  I'm really comfortable sitting here on the sofa so the thought of going for a walk or even a jog seems very uncomfortable. 

This morning when the alarm went off, the pillow under my head was comfortable.  However, I got up and pushed my body to the limit lifting weights.  It was a great way to start my day. 

Ten minutes on the treadmill

"I have a confession. I bought the treadmill to cover a stain on the carpet." ~ Randy Glasbergen

Treadmills. What an interesting piece of exercise equipment? I would say it is the most dreaded piece of necessary equipment in the gym and when it's in your home it always seems to make a fantastic clothes rack. I've never owned one, but I have used them from time-to-time at a number of fitness centers. Today I used one for ten minutes. I didn't allow myself much time to exercise this morning, so ten minutes was all I had time for today.

Have you noticed the minute you update your status on Facebook, the related ads change on the right hand side of the screen. I posted today's quote about buying a treadmill to cover a stain on the carpet. Instantly, the quotes changed to the Fitness Zone, Sports Art Fitness and Flex Band Online. Obviously, the widgets that make the ads pop up thought I needed to purchase a treadmill or some other piece of exercise equipment. I seriously believe there is a flaw in the dynamics of the words Facebook's automated system selected for me. Maybe what I really need is to have my carpets cleaned or maybe I just need to purchase a bottle of Resolve carpet cleaner.

Be careful what you post on Facebook, you never know what Facebook will have you purchasing.

Plenty of vegetables and boys in the kitchen

“The first Food Pyramid was built in ancient Egypt by a Pharoah who hated vegetables so much he buried them at the bottom.” ~ Randy Glasbergen

Vegetables.  Did I have vegetables today?  I had pizza sauce with my pizza at lunch.  Does that count as vegetables?   I did have a salad with my pizza.  It was suppose to fill me up so that by the time the pizza came to the table I wouldn't eat the whole 9-inch pizza.  It didn't exactly work the way I planned it.   I ate half the salad and all the pizza.

Yes, vegetables.  I remember now, I had a spoonful of green beans with my steak.   Does a bake potato count as a vegetable?  What about butter and sour cream?  My steak was good.   Derek has become really good at grilling steaks this summer.   The best part is that he enjoys doing it and we don't even have to ask him to do it.  I came home from work and he had just finished grilling.   Add a baked potato and some green beans and you have yourself a meal in a matter of 15 minutes.  Awesome!

Yep, I had vegetables today.   I also had pizza, steak and chocolate chip cookies.   Cocoa comes from a cocoa bean, right?  Beans are vegetables, correct?   I wasn't planning to have any more "vegetables" today, but Logan insisted on baking cookies.   He was outraged that he had been at a friend's house last night when we baked cookies and there were only two left when he got home.  I couldn't hurt his feelings and not eat one of the cookies he baked for us.  Speaking of chocolate chips, I've been told that Caleb makes a really good chocolate chip pancake.  It seems Caleb has been the first one up in the morning which would be eight or nine o'clock in the morning during the summer.   He must be a master chef when it comes to making breakfast.  I've yet to sample his master pieces.

I could get use to my sons making me breakfast, lunch and dinner.   I'll be fat, but I'll never have to cook again.

Have you kept your New Year's Resolution to lose weight?

“My advice if you insist on slimming: Eat as much as you like – just don’t swallow it.”- Harry Secombe

Are you keeping your New Year's Eve resolution?  I had resolved that I would reach a normal body mass index of 24 which meant I had to lose almost 42 pounds.   I lost 30 pounds by April and then gradually gained 20 of those pounds back.  I stopped exercising on a daily basis and I stopped eating healthy.   Now as we get closer to the end of the year, I'm desperately trying to get back into a routine of eating less and exercising more and it's been tough.

Also, I pledged to myself that I would post a quote about dieting and exercising every day on my Facebook page and I would blog about dieting and exercising every day.   So far I have kept that commitment.   I started out being somewhat inspirational to others, but now I'm just battling the bulge like everyone else. 

So that's where I stand on my New Year's Eve resolution.   I still have 145 days left.   Perhaps I'll kick it into high gear and surprise myself with a miraculous weight loss story.  :-)

Calculating calories accurately

I lied on my Weight Watchers list. I put down that I had 3 eggs... but they were Cadbury chocolate eggs. ~Caroline Rhea

Earlier this year I downloaded the Lose It application for my phone.   I was faithfully and honestly recording what I ate and how much I ate.   As I started to fall off the diet wagon, I wasn't as faithful about it, nor was I as honest about it either.   After you've ate more than a dozen cookies in one day, doesn't it really matter if you really ate 15 cookies instead of twelve.

Gaining muscle?

"My gym has special bodybuilding workouts for beginners. I signed up for the grunting class." ~ Randy Glasbergen. 

For the the fifth day in a row I have made it to the gym.  Some days I have only worked out twenty minutes and other days it has been thirty minutes.  Today was a little over forty. 

No matter the minutes, I suppose showing up is what counts.  

I guess I will go back on Monday. After a week of weight lifting I wasn't all that thrilled with the scale at the gym this morning.  I weighed five pounds more than I did on Tuesday.  How the heck did that happen?!  

I guess I could let myself believe that I gained that in muscle but I seriously doubt it!

Starting the day off right

"The healthiest part of a donut is the hole.  Unfortunately, you have to eat through the rest of the donut to get there!” ~ Randy Glasbergen

I avoided the donuts today although the sinfully delicious treats were available.  Instead, I started my morning with weight lifting and a delicious breakfast of sausage and eggs. It was a great start to my day and luckily my eating habits remained healthy throughout the day. 

Oh how I hate to run

"Life is often compared to a marathon, but I think it is more like being a sprinter; long stretches of hard work punctuated by brief moments in which we are given the opportunity to perform at our best." --Michael Johnson

What a blessing to finally find a quote that speaks to the "sprinter" that dwells inside of my mind, my body and my soul.  

I so admire all of you who enjoy running.  I'm in awe of all the people who fall in love with running so much that they will run a marathon.   Heck, I'm amazed by anyone who runs a 5K.  I have never signed up, nor do I expect to sign up, for any of those sort of races. 

I have never been a long distance runner.  I hate it.  I simply do not enjoy it at all.   I've tried it many times and I still find no enjoyment in it at all.   Perhaps I don't stretch enough.  Maybe I don't breath right.   I'm not real sure what it is about running, but I am not a fan.

You will find me sprinting.  I would much rather do twenty or thirty minutes of sprinting on a tread mill or a track than to run at a steady pace for any long distance.  

I was never on the track team in high school, but I think I might have enjoyed it.  I might have even been good at it.  As for cross country, I would have sucked wind, passed out and rolled down the hill.

Anyway, I'm glad to see the weather shifted today.  The rain came and the excessive heat slightly dissipated.  And for us sprinters and runners up early this morning, the clouds enhanced an already gorgeous sunrise.  

Avoiding obstacles

"A strong body makes for a strong mind." ~ Thomas Jefferson

I have to agree with Mr. Jefferson. I have a much better day when I start my day with exercise. I am usually in a better mood. I make better decisions. And I generally feel better about myself.

Despite many obstacles - getting out of bed late and going back home for my phone - I did get in a quick twenty minute workout.

The pizza's hot idiot

"If pizza is hot enough to burn the roof of your mouth, why isn't it hot enough to burn belly fat?" ~ Randy Glasbergen

While eating pizza at Dave's Pizza and Wings with a co-worker, I started shoving pizza in my mouth the moment the waitress placed it on the table.  Immediately, I moaned in pain and reached for the water.  I scalded the roof of my mouth. 

I suppose that's what I get for eating    salad and pizza. I ate well all morning. I had a healthy homemade burrito for breakfast including a banana  and then an apple for a snack.  Of course, while I was out with a co-worker I was easily talked into eating lunch out.  I had plenty of salads to select from at Dave's, however I was weak and I opted for the salad and the pizza.  

Is it any wonder I struggle to lose and maintain my weight?  

Good thing I got in a workout this morning because the pizza burned the roof of my mouth and not my belly fat!

Expensive snacking

"Don't tell me to improve my diet. I ate a carrot once and nothing happened!" ~ Randy Glasbergen 

Why is it eating healthy is so expensive?  

I bought a prepackaged container of sliced apples and diced cheese for a snack today.  When I paired that with a bottle of water, I was shocked when it rang up for three or more dollars. I realize it was prepackaged but did it really cost that much to cut the apples and dice the cheese. For a dollar, I could have ate three chocolate chip cookies from McDonalds.  

So, I can either be thin, healthy and broke or I can be fat, happy and filthy rich. 

Food Network inspires me to eat

You know it's time to diet when you push away from the table and the table moves.  ~Quoted in The Cockle Bur

I am watching an episode of The Next Food Network Star.  While watching this episode I am thinking two things.  First,  I really need to plan another trip to New York City which needs to include a visit to Chelsea Market where I can eat and eat and eat.  And second, I am hungry. I always get hungry watching any Food Network shows. 

Chelsea Market, located in the Meatpacking District of Manhattan, is home to Food Network.  On my first visit to New York City a few years ago, I only passed by the Chelsea Market in the middle of the night.  When I return to the Big Apple I am adding the urban food concourse to my places to visit.  And if I am going to eat my way through New York City, I better find a place to workout while I am there. 

For now, I will take care of my hunger. I'll be having a big bowl of ice cream even though the boys have ate all of the chocolate syrup. 

Enthusiasm needed

There is a necessity for a regulating discipline of exercise that, whilst evoking the human energies, will not suffer them to be wasted.  ~Thomas de Quincey

I'm ready for a change in this weather. The heat has me extremely wiped out, day in and day out.  Hoping cooler weather is on the way and with it comes more energy and more enthusiasm to exercise everyday. 

'Small' dessert feeds the family

"We don't have a diet menu, but for $3.99 we can let you lick the stains off a tablecloth." ~ Randy Glasbergen

After taking in the Captain America movie, my family and I headed to Long Horn Steakhouse.  Some of us were hungry and some of us had ate too much popcorn at the movies.  

I didn't find anything remotely diet friendly on the menu. As if it really mattered since I had already had an entire nine inch pepperoni pizza and a salad at lunch.  I did consider having a salad but opted for the grilled chicken breast sandwich with the seasoned French fries.  

While at the restaurant the youngest decided he just wanted dessert because he really wasn't hungry. He orders this chocolate delicacy that is huge enough to be an entree.  Logan was in heaven. 

He proudly dug into the dessert.  After making a small dent in the dessert, Logan says, "Hey, people you need to dig in because I can't finish this on my own." 

Before we left, we all had our fair share of Logan's dessert.  It wasn't a diet item from the menu but it sure beats a salad or worse yet... Licking stains from a tablecloth!"

Homemade pizza with the neighbors

"I'm trying to be more active. Which one burns more calories - twittering, blogging or googling?" ~ Randy Glasbergen

I hope this evening's blogging, twittering and facebooking all lead to some serious calorie burning.  I'm going to need it.
 
I was thinking of making something like grilled chicken and salad.   Instead I come home to a surprise dinner prepared by my two oldest boys.   They found a recipe for homemade pizza dough and talked the girls across the street to help them make pizza for tonight's dinner.   Now, we have dinner plans with the neighbors across the street.   Am I disappointed?  Not in the least!  It's not exactly my diet but neither were the three chocolate chip cookies I had when I got home from work.
 
I'm looking forward to the homemade pizza!