Ancient exercise

Walking:  the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise.  ~Carrie Latet

I kick started my day with the ancient exercise of walking. It was on a treadmill, but nonetheless it was a walk. Well, it was a partial walk.  My treadmill workouts are usually interval workouts. Walk for a minute, run for a minute. It's a great workout. Well worth it if you are trying to burn fat fast, or so I have read. 

Out of bed sleepy head

Did you ever stop to taste a carrot? Not just eat it, but taste it? You can't taste the beauty and energy of the earth in a Twinkie. ~Astrid Alauda

No carrots or Twinkies for me today, just fried chicken and salad. I ate the salad but it didn’t taste like the earth. It tasted like salad. Now the fried chicken, it came close to tasting heavenly. It’s a good thing I got out of bed to exercise this morning.


The alarm clock went off at 4:45 a.m. this morning, as it always does. I couldn’t believe it was time to get out of bed. I closed my eyes for what I thought was just a minute. It was actually 15 minutes.

“Oh man,” I groaned silently to myself. “The gym is already open and I’m still in bed.” I knew if I didn’t get out of bed then, it was likely I wasn’t going to the gym at all today. Before I closed my eyes again, I heard this little voice in my head. At least I think it was in my head. “If you can’t do it for you, maybe you can do it for him.”

Well, that did it. I pulled back the covers and got up.

Lately, what’s been motivating me to get out of bed to exercise in the early morning is my Dad. He’s always been an early riser. He would get up at two or three in the morning to drive his eighteen wheel truck to the pipeline and then be at his first gas station to deliver gasoline before any of us had even hit our snooze button for the first time. Since being diagnosed with cancer, Dad’s had to give up truck driving, something he’s done since he was old enough to drive. I’m sure he would give anything to have the luxury of waking up early and driving that truck again.

So, I get out of bed. I put on my sneakers. I drive to the gym. I exercise. I pray. I offer up that first hour of my day to Dad. I use to offer it up in hopes that God would help Dad win his battle with cancer. Unfortunately the prayers have now changed. Now I pray that he has a day free of pain and that the good Lord keeps his suffering to a minimum.

Salad, pork & angel food cake

"I eat merely to put food out of my mind." ~ N.F. Simpson

In our church, as I'm sure it is with many others, when one or more are gathered there must be food. Today's funeral was no exception. There was a smorgasbord of delicacies to choose from for lunch. 

I avoided the temptation to pile on every delicious item available to me.  It's a plate people and it can only hold so much food.  The plate is divided into three slots for a reason. Three items and move on.  I indulged in ham, pulled pork and green beans. Two versions of pork, I know it was a bit bizarre but I went with it. I also had a bowl of salad.

Oh and let's not forget the angel food cake. It came with it's own plate.  I couldn't offend the ladies of the parish by snubbing my nose at their cake.

It was a delicious meal. I left full and satisfied, not stuffed and miserable. 

One last walk across the wobbly tin bridge

"My idea of exercise is a good brisk sit." Phyllis Diller. 

I'm standing in my closet once again in search of an appropriate tie for yet another funeral.  Tomorrow we bury Paula's grandmother, Alma.  Although we are sadden by the loss, we are also happy knowing that Grandma is finally free of Alzhezimer's disease.  

Staying healthy, well and physically fit is challenging especially when I am reminded that something as horrific as Alzhezimers can creep up and consume your mind and eventually your body.  It's easy to say to yourself what is the point in eating healthy and exercising when in the blink of an eye something can come along when you least expect it to destroy your health and the very essence of who you are as a person.  I'm inclined to believe that eating a balanced diet and staying active makes all the difference in how we live our lives in the present moment. 

Grandma Alma was living proof that just because she was getting older it wasn't stopping her from living. She was perhaps one of the most active people I knew prior to entering the nursing home. She was certainly a brave and limber soul. 

Alma lived in an old farm house. She had to cross over a creek to get from her car to her house. Most of the time the walk across was no big deal unless it would rain and the creek would rise with water. When it did, Grandma would walk across a wobbly few sheets of tin, she fondly referred to as a foot bridge.  I wouldn't have walked across it in normal conditions let alone when a fast moving body of water was rolling through only inches below my feet. At age 80, Grandma was still limber enough she could glide her way across the "bridge", get safely to her car, start the engine and fly gravel clear across the creek as she rolled down the gravel road at NASCAR speeds.  As a side note, I might mention that her granddaughter, Paula, inherited her grandmothers driving abilities and 'need for speed'.  

Although it is late as I write this post I am hoping to get in some exercise early tomorrow morning. I'll be thinking of Grandma Alma as I walk and praying that I and my family stay healthy and well as she did over the years.  I'll be imagining her taking those steps across that wobbly tin, crossing over from this world into heaven. 

Lots of love Grandma Alma. 

Guilt free pizza and wings

"If you resolve to give up smoking, drinking and loving, you don't actually live longer; it just seems longer." ~ Clement Freud, The Observer, 27 December 1964

It was pizza and wing night at Dave's Pizza and Wings.  I enjoyed every bite of the pepporoni pizza and the garlic parmesean wings.   I came fully prepared to feast on the fresh, hot pizza and wings.  Before I went out to dinner with my family, I spent forty minutes at the gym walking, running and lifting weights.   After working out, I was ready to indulge in my favorite pizza and wings free of guilt.

My youngest son, Logan, cracked me up this afternoon when he was the only one interested in going to the Activity Center.   "Mom, I'm going with Dad," he said.  "Me and Dad are gym people."   I laughed.   While I worked out, Logan worked out on the basketball court shooting hoops.   When we were done I asked him if he got in a good workout.   "Yeah, I sure did," Logan replied.  "I'm ready to pig out on pizza."   We, the gym people, did just that!
 
 

A slippery farewell

Walking isn't a lost art - one must, by some means, get to the garage.  ~Evan Esar

For a few hours today, walking was a bit treacherous. Within a couple of hours the snow came down with fierce determination making sidewalks, parking lots and roads particularly dangerous. 

It started out a cold and dreary day.  It was certainly not spring like as it should be for March 26.  Although the possibility of snow was in the forecast, I along with others weren't all that concerned. 

Mid-morning I surprisingly slipped into my black suit as opposed to stuffing myself into it.  It has been a goal of mine to fit back into that suit. I wasn't exactly wanting to prove that point by having to attend a funeral. Nonetheless, I paid my respects to Mr. Gelven in the attire fitting for a man I had great respect and admiration for. 

While a church full of family and friends bid farewell to Mr. Gelven, the snow fell and quickly piled up.  Immediately following the funeral, we were shocked to see how much it had snowed. It was then that the fun began as we all tried to make our way out of the parking lot.  Cars were slipping and sliding into the street. Vans and cars were getting stuck in the parking lot, mine included, with no where to go.  While young men helped a number of elderly folks get out of the parking lot and I stood there drenched from the falling snow, I decided the best thing for me was to get my car back in a parking space, go inside to dry off and call on my brother to pick me up and safely get me home. 

As I was back at home, hanging up my suit to dry and watching the snow continue to fall from the sky at a rapid rate of speed, all I could think about was the day that Mr. Gelven had told me about his days as a meteorologist.  I was surprised to learn that about him and I even chuckled when he told me. I asked him if he was any good at predicting the weather. He laughed and said, "No worse than the guys on TV".  

What a beautiful white carpet the Lord prepared for you today Mr. Gelven.  Farewell kind sir, farewell. 

Early morning walks

An early-morning walk is a blessing for the whole day.  ~Henry David Thoreau

I love Henry David Thoreau and totally agree with his assessment  that an early morning walk is a blessing. The key to actually receiving the blessing involves getting out of bed early enough to actually go for the walk.  

When the alarm went off this morning I was dreading the very thought of getting out in the cold. I was even expecting their to be ice and snow on the ground. I was pleasantly surprised the ground was only wet. 

Although I got in my early morning walk I doubt Thoreau would consider my so-called stroll on the treadmill the blessing he was referring to when he wrote of early morning walks. 

Running here and there

I don't think jogging is healthy, especially morning jogging.  If morning joggers knew how tempting they looked to morning motorists, they would stay home and do sit-ups.  ~Rita Rudner

It's 44 degrees and brutally windy on this late afternoon in March.  I sent the youngest son to ball practice with another parent. I drove the middle son to track practice.  I'm waiting patiently in the car for the oldest to finish baseball practice which should have been over fifteen minutes ago. I should be walking or jogging around the track while I wait, but did I mention it is 44 degrees and brutally windy outside. 

I'm saving up my energy because once Derek finishes baseball practice I have to run him home and head out to pick up Logan and his team mate at their ball practice.  As for Caleb, I hope Paula remembers she has to pick him up when he's done with track practice. If all goes like planned I should be home by 7:00. 

No need to worry about me being along the road tempting motorist while I jog. I haven't the time.

Windy day deters walking the dog

If your dog is fat, you're not getting enough exercise.  ~Author Unknown

Our poor dog lives a sheltered life. Dottie doesn't see much of the world besides the back yard. Rarely does she get out of the yard for a walk.  Although she doesn't stroll through the neighborhood with us, I wouldn't say she is fat, but I wouldn't say she is thin either. 

I thought about taking her for a walk in the neighborhood today. It was a beautiful day with plenty of sunshine, blue sky and puffy white clouds.  However, the thought passed as easily as it came to me once I realized how windy it was outside. I feared that we might be picked up by the wind and find ourselves in the merry-o-land of Oz or worse yet...Munchkinland. 

Instead of walking or riding a bike, I stayed inside during my lunch hour. I spent about twenty minutes lifting weights. It wasn't the longest or most intense workout but nonetheless it was a workout. 

Perhaps tomorrow I will get out of bed early enough to exercise. Although as I sit here waiting for my oldest son to return from a school function, I am quickly realizing it is going to be another late night. 

Mindless TV and sit-ups

It is a hard matter, my fellow citizens, to argue with the belly, since it has no ears.  ~Plutarch

I've not been arguing with the belly at all today. I have ate my fair share of calories. I've not exceeded my calories, although I have ate my maximum limit. 

I should have did some additional exercising besides sit-ups and crunches to burn all those calories.  However, I was too busy laying on the sofa indulging in mindless television and guilty pleasures like Betheny Ever After. 

I tried doing sit-ups while watching the show but it's sort of difficult to workout your abs when you are laughing so hard it hurts. 

Baseball bleachers and wide open spaces

"Want to look thinner, stand in a bigger room. The bigger the room, the leaner I look." ~ Peter Marc Jacobson, co-creator of the sitcom, The Nanny.  

I didn't exactly stand in any big rooms today. It was the first day back to work after being off  for a week so most of my time was in a eight-by-eight cubical space. However, by the end of the day I was in close proximity to a baseball field watching my son play baseball.  Not exactly a large room but the ball players did look thinner standing out in the field.  

With baseball season officially started for our family, my time to exercise will certainly become limited.  Tonight we sat on the bleachers for at least three hours.  It won't be long and the bleacher butt I've been trying to  rid myself of will be back.  Or so the possibility exists. 

I am certain it will be challenging to eat right and exercise with three boys playing ball this spring and summer but I am thinking I might be up to the challenge. Either that or I'll have to take Mr. Jacobson's advice and move my desk to a bigger room like the conference room. 

Let the bike riding begin

My grandmother started walking five miles a day when she was sixty.  She's ninety-three today and we don't know where the hell she is.  ~Ellen DeGeneres

The first day of spring was a perfect day for our family to get outdoors.  Before the sun went down the boys had pulled out their ramps, bicycles, rip sticks, baseballs and bats.  Even I got my bike out.  

I aired up the tires, climbed on the bike and pedaled my way up and down the street.  I soon discovered that even though I have lost a few pounds I am certainly not in the best of shape.  Two miles on a bike completely wiped me out!  

Hoping everyone had the opportunity to get outside today. I'm looking forward too many more spring days like today. 

Full size, rectangular buffet plates

Your stomach shouldn't be a waist basket.  ~Author Unknown

No walking, no running, not even one sit-up all day long. It was a rest day and I believe my body needed it. 

Unlike yesterday I ate sensibly throughout the day. I even survived a smorgasbord of pastas, potato dishes and desserts galore  at the pre-season baseball gathering for Derek and his team. My styrofoam plate was rectangular and came with not three but six spaces for food.  Although the plate had plenty of room for the food, I selected three choices from the table and didn't revisit the buffet table. It was delicious and I was satisfied. 

The day went so well I ended it with a delicious chocolate brownie with butterscotch chips. Yummy. 

Three tacos, entire day's calories

A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book.  ~Irish Proverb

I had the most difficult time selecting something from Chili's menu at lunch today.  Being Friday, my options were limited. My choices included a salmon platter, fried shrimp and fries, a salad with grilled shrimp or three fried shrimp tacos with rice and beans. 

The salmon platter was extremely expensive. I didn't want fries, so the shrimp and fries was out.  The salad was a serious consideration until I read the menu realizing it included pineapple, dried cherries, peaches and who knows what other fruit mixed with greens and the grilled shrimp. When the waiter arrived, I opted at the last minute for the crispy shrimp tacos. 

I've never had shrimp tacos in my life. I will admit they were delicious. 

Afterwards, I went on the Internet to download the nutritional information to log in my Lose It app on my phone.  "Oh my gawd!". I was seriously flabbergasted to discover that my entire lunch was an entire day's worth of calories for me.  1610 calories for shrimp tacos!  "Oh my gawd!". 

Logan started laughing when I yelled in complete and utter dismay. "Dad, I bet this puts you in the red for sure," he chanted referring to the Lose It app's ability to alert you with a red number indicating the calories you have exceeded. 

I had already worked out for an hour at the gym this morning but that wasn't enough to repair the damage. I made a second trip to the gym. I walked and ran and weight lifted my way back out of the red. I believe I can now have  a total of 8 calories for dinner!

Delightful dilemma

"All people are made alike... of bones and flesh and dinner... only the dinners are different."  ~ Gertrude Louis Cheney.

I had the most delightful dilemma this morning.   I couldn't find anything that fit me.   I tried on shorts and the shorts were too big.  I tried on a green t-shirt for St. Patrick's Day and the t-shirt was too big.   I searched the closet and the drying racks for a pair of jeans that fit.   Unfortunately, nothing fit.   I had too dig way in the back of the closet for something to wear.   I didn't particularly care for what I was wearing, but none-the-less it worked.

A few months ago I was having the same dilemma in the mornings.   However, it wasn't the least bit delightful.  I couldn't find anything to fit but it certainly wasn't because I was losing weight.   My waist was expanding and so were my slacks. 

Tomorrow, we go shopping.  Perhaps I'll find some clothes on sale that will fit my behind!  I'll keep you posted. 

Sunshine in the gym

People say that losing weight is no walk in the park.  When I hear that I think, yeah, that's the problem.  ~Chris Adams

It was a great day for a walk in the park.  The weather was exceptional. I hope many of you made it outdoors today.

Although it was a beautiful day, I did my exercising indoors this morning. I was at the gym a little later today. It wasn't pitch black outside while I was exercising.  It was a pleasant experience to be exercising as the sun was rising and filling the gym with plenty of natural light.

I'm looking forward to yet another day of spring like weather.  

Eating better...at McDonalds?

I'm trying to eat better.  And, I do feel wise after drinking tea.  After eating vegetables, I just feel hungry.  ~Carrie Latet

Spending the day at the hospital completely wrecks havoc on eating better. 

Over the last few months I've been eating five to six small meals a day. I pack an insulated bag with plenty of protein, dairy products, fruits and veggies.  I have to agree with the experts that it does increase my metabolism and I have an abundance of energy when I feed myself every few hours. Unfortunately today I spent the day at the hospital with my Dad and Mom. The only time I ate anything was when my brother and I left the hospital to grab lunch from McDonalds of all places. I did avoid anything fried, opting for grilled snack wraps and yogurt parfaits.

I've also been drinking lots of water which has also contributed to my weight loss. Of course at the hospital the coffee was readily available and I consumed an excessive amount of caffeine. So much for cutting back on caffeine for Lent. 

Perhaps I'll eat and drink better tomorrow.  

My hat's off to everyone keeping their New Year's resolution to eat less and exercise more. 

An incredibly imperfect day

As a nation we are dedicated to keeping physically fit - and parking as close to the stadium as possible.  ~Bill Vaughan

It was an incredibly imperfect day.  

I've been dedicated to my physical fitness lately and I've even been parking further from the door.  Today, I was more than eager to park close to the building with a couple of inches covering the ground and snow and sleet continuing to fall from the sky. I suspected it would snow but not this much a few days prior to spring.  It certainly contributed to the imperfection of the day. 

In addition to the snow the day continued to unfold in imperfect order. After suffering from pain for weeks, missing his chemotherapy treatment and having his gall bladder removed, my Dad still continued to be in agony.  With yet another trip to the emergency room it was finally determined that the cancer had spread to my Dad's liver.  Although I wasn't surprised by the doctor's diagnosis it still came as a shock to hear that now instead of years to live Dad had maybe only months to live.  

I ended my day sitting in the kitchen soaking my soar foot after a workout on the tread climber.  As I moved my foot from cold ice water to hot water, I could only ponder on the events of the day.  

As I said, an incredibly imperfect day. 

Dinner at the in-laws

Eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow ye diet.  ~Lewis C. Henry

Weekends can be very tricky if you are on a diet.  Yesterday, I ate light knowing that dinner was going to be huge. Today, I also ate light throughout the day knowing that I would probably eat a large dinner at my in-laws. 

I was correct about the big calorie dinner at the in-laws. Paula prepared a delicious meatloaf and homemade scalloped potatoes while her sister Lisa prepared a salad with a homemade dressing chalked full of mayo, ranch dressing and sugar.  Yes, I said sugar!  It was all scrumptious, even the "candy" coated salad. 

Luckily for me I hadn't worked out yet today. Although the gym wasn't opened, I already had a plan of action to burn some calories. I got down on the floor in front of the TV and started working out my abs. Thirty minutes later, I was done.  Now, I can veg out in front of the TV for the night!

One meal, one day's calories

"I consider exercise vulgar. It makes people smell." ~Alec Yuill Thornton

I am thrilled I exercised this morning.  Forty minutes of walking, jogging and sprinting ensured that I could indulge in not one but two hot thrown rolls from Lambert's Cafe in Ozark, Missouri. 

With many delicious and oversized choices awaiting me on the Lambert's menu, I knew before we left for Rogersville, Missouri this morning that I would have to consume very few calories throughout the day.  Luckily, I ate light because after the Wildcat basketball game my family and I consumed our fair share of calories. I believe some of us ate more than our fair share.  

On the way home I calculated the calories of my grilled chicken breast dinner.  With the two chicken breasts, baked potato, green beans and sides, I had consumed a 1300 calorie dinner. Now that's crazy!  You certainly don't want to eat like that everyday.  It's a good thing we only eat there once a year. 

Parking further from the door

Another good reducing exercise consists in placing both hands against the table edge and pushing back.  ~Robert Quillen

Selecting a parking space further from the door to get in a few extra steps hasn't been all that desirable these last few months. It has been cold and windy and one of the wettest winters I've experienced in a long time. 

Today, however, parking further from the door was quite enjoyable. When it is 68 degrees outside I am more than willing to park further from the door. 

If you are looking for a way to add a few steps to your day, I highly recommend it even when it is cold and wet outdoors. 

Busy days equal zero exercise

"Large, naked raw carrots are acceptable as food only to those who lie in hutches eagerly awaiting Easter."  ~Fran Lebowitz

Two days and no exercise.  It's been a busy couple of days. Hoping to get back to the gym tomorrow. 

Empty calories and little caffeine

"Vegetables are interesting but lack a sense of purpose when unaccompanied by a good cut of meat." ~ Fran Lebowitz

It's Ash Wednesday. For us Catholics it is a day of fasting, abstaining from meat and giving up something we are willing to part with from now until Easter. 

Although I am Catholic, I am not a die hard rule follower when it comes to my faith, especially the fasting. I skipped breakfast.  However for lunch, I did have tuna salad, wheat crackers, an orange and a small glass of chocolate milk. 

For dinner, I dined on a filet o fish from McDonalds.  It left me feeling less than satisfied. It's perhaps the emptiest 400 calories I have ate in awhile. 

As for the alms giving, I have given serious consideration to giving up all caffeine drinks. I already stopped drinking soda over a year ago so giving up tea and coffee really shouldn't be that big of a deal.  Unfortunately, it wasn't as easy as I anticipated it being. I had a large coffee, a 32 ounce ice tea and a large coffee all before noon. On the bright side that is far less than I would have drank in a day!

Walking and blogging, blogging and walking

"Nothing would be more tiresome than eating and drinking if God had not made them a pleasure as well as a necessity." ~Voltaire

I am at the gym working out and blogging real time tonight. I am trying to work off that fourth of a small bag of McDonalds French fries. 

I'm on the treadmill, listening to Usher and watching the Biggest Loser.  Bless their hearts.  I know I wouldn't want Jillian and Bob as my personal trainers.  They would definitely frown on me walking and Facebooking at the same time. 

God must have been sending me a message this evening. When I sat down to eat my chicken club sandwich. The chicken was sliced as if it belonged on the top of a salad instead of a bun. Do you know how hard that was to eat?  I would take a bite and the chicken would fall out. It was a mess. I got the message God. I should have had the salad!

Since I didn't have the salad, I am here at the gym on the treadmill. Luckily the treadmill doesn't talk back anymore. A couple months ago when I would crank the treadmill speed to an 8, it would flash a message that said, "Warning, overload"!  Now, I can run a whole minute before my brain tells the rest of my body I am out of my mind.  "Make him stop now.  It's probably why the knee gives out and the feet began to cramp every time I get on the treadmill lately. 

Workout first, eat chocolate chip cookies later

"Nothing tastes as good as being thin feels." Author Unknown

It's rather entertaining the lengths I'll go just to have a chocolate chip cookie, or two. Ok, so I had three. 

After dinner, I jokingly said to my boys, "Which one of you are going to bake me some chocolate chip cookies?" Well, I didn't have to say that more than once. Within seconds the cookie sheets flew out of the cabinet and the frozen cookie dough was being dropped on the sheets. 

The freshly baked cookies were quite tempting and with the majority of my calories for the day being depleted, I knew the only way I could eat even a half of a cookie was to go for a walk. 
So, Logan and I went to the gym. He shot hoops and I went for a quick jog on the treadmill. When we got home, Logan opens the door announcing our return. "We're back for our cookies!"

If it is any consolation, I placed three chocolate chip cookies on a plate and poured a small glass of milk.  Instead of devouring cookie after cookie, mindlessly eating each one, I actually enjoyed every single bite of all three of the chocolate chip cookies. I suppose we can call that progress. 

Chocolate chip muffins, need I say more

"The more you eat, the less flavor; the less you eat, the more flavor. ~ Chinese Proverb


Today, Paula and I went to McDonalds for breakfast. We tried to get the boys to go with us. However, they didn't want to pull themselves away from their video games long enough to get themselves dressed for a quick trip to Mickey D's. 

When Paula and I returned home from eating our less than satisfactory breakfast, the aroma of baked goods floated throughout the house. Although the boys didn't want to put on something more than their boxers, they were still hungry.  While we were gone, Derek and Logan nominated Caleb to bake chocolate chip muffins.  He must have wowed them with his culinary skills because most of the muffins were gone. 

I did my best to ignore the delicious treats sitting there on the stove top.  Within the hour, I couldn't take it anymore.  I grabbed a banana, a chocolate chip muffin and a bottle of water from the kitchen. I went to the dining room to do something I don't usually do - I sat down to enjoy my snack for the day. Usually I grab a snack and eat it on the go.  Today, I really wanted that muffin, so I decided what better way to enjoy it than to sit and enjoy every minute and every last bite of the muffin. 

Loading up on pizza

"It's okay to be fat.  So you're fat.  Just be fat and shut up about it." ~ Roseanne Barr

Prior to tonight's performance of Nana's Naughty's Knickers, the family and I went to Dave's Pizza and Wings for dinner. I loaded up on pepperoni pizza and  garlic parmesan wings.  I am more than ready to lift boxes for my second performance as a UPS man. 

I didn't feel a bit of guilt.  First of all, I had an intense 60 minute workout this morning so I'm probably in need of real "muscle building" food. And secondly, the pizza and wings are fat free. Right??!!

Enjoyable steps

"I am pushing sixty, that is enough exercise for me." Mark Twain. 

I love Mr. Twain however I have to disagree with his quote.  I've already pushed and knocked over 40 and I could certainly use plenty more exercise. 

Today I got plenty of exercise. In addition to a forty minute workout at the LSTC Activity Center, I also walked almost every inch of the 249 acre campus of Linn State Technical College where I work.  Well perhaps I avoided the heavy equipment work site and the air strip, but I did walk the majority of the campus taking photographs. 

I love walking campus especially when the weather is as pleasant as it was today.  The extra steps and hopefully the extra calories burned were quite enjoyable. 

On another note, I also enjoyed my few steps on the Osage Community Players stage tonight.  My debut performance in Nana's Naughty Knickers was a non-speaking, quick appearance. I walked in, dropped off some boxes and reacted to Nana's naughty knickers.  

Exhausted

"The only reason I would take up jogging is so I could hear heavy breathing again." ~ Erma Bombeck. 

I'm exhausted. A full day of work, dress rehearsal for the play and not one but two workouts.  I think it's time to go bed and get some rest. 

Calories burned from a two second sprint

"Fitness - if it came in a bottle everyone would have a great body." ~ Cher

While crossing the street today, I was almost hit by an SUV.  

Seriously, I stepped into the street assuming I, as the pedestrian, had the right-of-way. Obviously I was mistaken because I'm certain that when I walked into the street the women driving the SUV hit the gas to speed up. 

Either she was infuriated by the price she just paid for gas to fill up her SUV or she somehow knew I hadn't exercised yet today and thought I needed to get in a full sprint to make it across the road alive. 

Now as I calculate the calories I consumed and the calories I burned, I'm coming up with zero calories burned.  Unless I can count the quick dash I made to avoid being a big fat greasy spot in the middle of the highway. Unfortunately, sprinting isn't an option and a mad dash isn't recordable either. 

I suppose I can record it as a two second run.  Of course the Lose It! iPhone application doesn't allow you to record anything lower than five minutes.  Perhaps I can round up. Although I was only in motion for a couple of seconds, the amount of adrenaline pumping through my veins surely induced some chemical reaction that caused me to burn more fat.  

So that is that! I'm recording that I burned five calories and I'm still alive to speak of it. 

Belly laugh

No city should be too large for a man to walk out of in a morning.  ~Cyril Connolly


After a long day of work and a dinner meeting that included three chocolate chip cookies, I had to come home, drop to the floor and get busy working out my abdominal muscles. 

My fourteen-year-old son quickly began criticizing the way I was doing my sit-ups.  After two full days of baseball practice, Derek was convinced he was the expert.  "You want six pack abs, you need try this exercise," he said as he dropped to the floor to demonstrate.  I couldn't help but laugh when Derek started moaning from the pain. Two days of intense conditioning was obviously pushing Derek beyond his threshold of pain. 

The more he demonstrated his workout, the more he wailed in pain. I'm not sure if it was Derek's ab exercises or the belly laughs, but I went to bed with soar abs.