Late night sitting on the bleachers

"Adam and Eve ate the first viatmins, including the package." ~ E.R. Squibb


It was a late night at the ball park.


The long nights are challenging for me, especially as it relates to diet and exercise. I didn’t eat less or exercise more. I had a bag of M&M’s during the game. I had an ice cream cone on the way home. And there was no time for exercise. My evening was spent sitting on the bleachers for four hours.

Although it’s challenging, I realize that in a few short years from now, I’ll miss these evenings watching my boys play ball, growing from boys into young men.

"I've decided that perhaps I'm bulimic and just keep forgetting to purge." ~ Paula Poundstone.

Exciting morning for me.  I got up. I went to the high school track. 

I walked not one lap, not eight, but 19 laps around the high school camp. I'm not sure what got into me.  

I had 10,000 steps in before nine this morning. It was a great start to my day. 

Squeezing into the trunks

"Happiness is a bowl of cherries and a book of poetry under a shade tree." ~ Astrid Alauda.

My family and I are considering a mini-vacation to the Wisconsin Dells this summer.  After watching Extreme Resorts on the Travel Channel, the boys are very interested in going to the Wilderness Territory.  The Wisconsin Dells is home to over 20 waterparks and considered the water park capital of the world.  Wilderness Territory is the world's largest waterpark. 

After gaining several pounds back, you can only imagine how excited I am about donning a bathing suit to slip and slide down the 100 outdoor waterslides, swim in the 10 pools and float down the two lazy rivers.  And in case it rains, I can still squeeze into my trunks to experience the four indoor water parks.  There is even an indoor wave pool which holds over 700 people at a time. 

Seriously, I don't care how many people are in the pool or how many indoor or outdoor waterslides there are, I'm not all that comfortable being in front of a bunch of people showing off my fat and flab. 

Oh well, I don't know if I have much of a choice in the matter.  I believe the boys have their hearts set on going.   I'm thinking maybe I shouldn't have had three pieces of fried chicken or the three pieces of pie for dinner. 

Gaining the weight back

"We plan, we toil, we suffer - in hope of what? . . . Simply to wake just in time to smell coffee and bacon and eggs." ~ J.B. Priestly

When it comes to torment and affliction, I’m such an easy target. What other explanation would there be for me to weigh myself this morning. It’s obvious I’m gaining back the weight that I lost earlier this year.

Not satisfied with the realization that my pants were getting a little snug again, I carefully positioned myself on the bathroom scale this morning.

I was stunned. I was speechless. I was sad. I was disappointed. The cold, rainy and dreary weather captures exactly how I feel.

I’m putting the weight back on about as quickly as I was taking it off. In the last seven weeks, I have gained anywhere from 15-18 pounds.

It’s not exactly how I wanted to start this summer. However, there is still something to savor in this moment.  I've gained some weight back, not all of it.  

Summer starts with a frozen drink

We are living in a world today where lemonade is made from artificial flavors and furniture polish is made from real lemons.  ~Alfred E. Newman

Speaking of lemonade, I had one of those Frozen Strawberry Lemonade drinks from McDonalds to kick off the Memorial Day weekend.  Luckily i didn't have anything else from McDonalds, the frozen drink is packed with sugar and is 270 calories. 

New muscle food available at 3 Scoops

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

With all the darkness and chaos the last few days, I haven't ventured out to have ice cream.  Although I have been craving it for several days.  Since summer officially, or is it unoffically, starts with the Memorial Day Weekend, I'm thinking that I will have to stop by 3 Scoops in Linn, Missouri to get my ice cream fix. 

In an article written by Men's Health editor, Adam Campbell, the headline reads Gain a Pound of Muscle Every Week, followed by Make One Snack Ice Cream.   Well let me tell you, I am in.  There is no need to read any further.   If ice cream is going to help me gain a pound of muscle instead of a pound of fat, I'm all for it. 

Of course after reading the article I discovered that you were required to workout.   The article recommended a bowl of ice cream two hours after a workout.  Seriously, I have to workout and eat the ice cream.   I knew there had to be a catch.  It seems the ice cream causes an insulin surge and does something for the post-workout protein breakdown.  So on and so forth.

You can read more about it at Men's Health.  I've included the link.  Or you can just go to 112 on the Square in Linn, Missouri and have a scoop of ice cream, workout or no workout.
Read more at Men's Health: http://www.menshealth.com/mhlists/gain_ten_pounds_of_muscle/Make_One_Snack_Ice_Cream.php#ixzz1NV4Ij8ON
 
Become a fan of 3 Scoops on Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/3-Scoops/138788572812268?sk=info

Help me I'm drowning

"Everything is walking distance if you have the time," Steven Wright

After watching the Subway commercial during the American Idol finale, I am convinced more than ever that I will not be sitting in a blow up chair in the middle of any pools.  I laughed myself silly watching  this rather large lady sitting in her plastic chair. One more bite of fast food and the floatation device exploded under the pressure. 

Hilarious but so terribly true. I have got to find my motivation back. 

Although I didn't find tonight's Subway video, I thought I would share a link to another hilariously funny Subway video. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsZFsZw5jtU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

The late, late night posting

The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience. Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around.... Throughout history, "tender loving care" has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing. ~Larry Dossey



It's late, very late.  I just finished watching Oprah's second to last episode that I recorded today.  I might have shed a tear while watching it.  If you ask me about it tomorrow, I'll deny we had this conversation. 

 I'll have a tough time getting out of bed tomorrow. Even though I will be tired, I am hoping I give myself the same love and respect that I gave myself this morning.  I got out of bed, I drove to the high school track and walked every single lane. 

It was awesome to be outside as the sun came up this morning. It was perfect. There were plenty of clouds but it didn't stop the light from breaking through the clouds. I love it when the beams of the sun break through the cloud. How can you not think of God and heaven when you witness something like that in the sky. 

So here's to tomorrow which will be here very shortly.  Much love to Oprah as she closes this chapter of her life.  And my sincerest hope that I find the time to go for a long walk. 

Without a place to call home

"I love the body. Flesh is so honest, and organs do not lie". ~Terri Guillemets

Before the sun set, I took a stroll in the neighborhood.  I wasn't exactly motivated to go for a walk but thought I needed to get in some sort of exercise today. 

As I walked through the neighborhood a wave of sadness came over me.  I thought about the people in Joplin, Missouri without a neighborhood to walk through, without a house to go home to, and without a tree to call their own. 

My heart goes out to all those who have lost their homes and more importantly their love ones. 

Who says grown men can't skip

"There was a boyishness about Mr. Clemens sometimes that found different modes of expression. Once, when the long corridor of the second floor of the hotel presented a temptingly empty avenue, he hopped, skipped, and ran, and then gave a delicious suggestion of a cake-walk. As soon as a door opened, he stopped and assumed a supernaturally grave aspect." ~Elizabeth Wallace, Mark Twain and the Happy Island, 1914.

I tried skipping in Silver Dollar City today. 

After the American flag had been raised, the pledge of allegiance recited and the Star Spangled Banner sung, Silver Dollar City was officially open for the day.  For the first time ever, my family and I were some of the first people in the amusement park. 

The boys were determined to get to the back of the park as quickly as possible and be the first ones on the Powder Keg roller coaster.  With the boys down the hill and in the front of the pack, I had to practically run to catch up.  As I quickly passed by the dumbfounded amateurs reading maps and scouting out their path for the day, I chuckled to myself.  I thought what a perfect opportunity to take out skipping down the path and glide pass the boys on the way to the roller coaster. However, I feared my own humiliation especially if I were to  slip, fall and roll down the asphalt pavement.  

So instead of taking out like Dorothy and the Scarecrow, I jogged ahead of the parents pushing strollers to catch up with the boys. Upon reaching the boys, we had reached the bottom of the hollar.

"Ok, boys this is where we take out skipping along the path," I said as I started to skip ahead of them.  My ten-year-old was all for it. He even grabbed my hand.  Logan was caught up in the excitement.  Caleb, Mr.  Junior High, was about to join us until his older brother, Derek protested. 

"Stop it now," he said to us. "Seriously, you can just stop that now!"

I laughed. Mission accomplished. I had recaptured my childhood and managed to embarrass at least one of my children. 

Skipping aside, I walked another five miles in Silver Dollar City alone. Another beautiful sunny day in Branson. 

Man walks five miles shopping

A vigorous five-mile walk will do more good for an unhappy but otherwise healthy adult than all the medicine and psychology in the world. ~Paul Dudley White

Even with the world and it's six billion inhabitants lives in possible jeopardy of coming to an end, I was able to get in a five mile walk today. I wouldn't necessarily say it was a vigorous walk, but I did walk over 10,000 steps today. 

Knowing I would spend many hours strolling in and out of stores at the Branson outlet malls and the shops of the Branson Landing, I slipped a pedometer on my belt today. I was curious to know if by the end of the day I would reach and possibly exceed 10,000 steps.   I am happy to report I exceeded the steps by a 1,500 steps.  The trip to the Walmart Supercenter put me over the top. 

Tomorrow we head to Silver Dollar City.  I'm guessing I will reach 10,000 steps with no problem.  However, there is a possibility of rain tomorrow and this could impact the total number of steps I take tomorrow.  Of course, that is tomorrow and no sense worrying about what will be. 

For now, I'll sit back on the patio of the hotel and enjoy this warm spring evening. Feet up.  Let the rest and relaxation begin.  Enjoy. 

Taking time for pizza and family

"Money talks, but chocolate sings." ~ Author Unknown. 

I have had plenty of chocolate and plenty of food today.  

I had pizza twice today which most certainly placed me way over my calorie count for the day.  Lately I seem more committed to eating than I am to being healthy, well and physically fit.  

One of my moments with pizza included lunch at Dave's Pizza and Wings with my Mom.  After Dad passed away, I either called or texted her once a day.  This week I don't think I called or texted her once.  I just got busy I suppose.  So anyhow, instead of dining with friends I picked my mother up from work and took her out for pizza. 

Good pizza, great company. 

Hiking rain or shine

Hiking is the best workout!... You can hike for three hours and not even realize you're working out.  And, hiking alone lets me have some time to myself.  ~Jamie Luner

As a teenager I use to love going for hikes in the woods.  After a day at school, I would change out of my school clothes and into my "everyday" clothes.  On those hikes, I would be gone until sundown. It was a great way to get some alone time and surprisingly I got in a workout as well. 

I thought about going for a hike this afternoon once the rain stopped.  It would likely require boots but I was positive I would enjoy it. And it would have be a really good workout. 

Unfortunately, life isn't as carefree as it was when I was a teenager. At 41, I have to pick up my own teenager from baseball practice. I have to sort the laundry and start the washing machine.  I have to load the dishwasher, throw away the junk mail and open the bills, and all those other things grown-ups have to do. Tromping through the woods, through the mud and the muck, well that's just not on my list of things I have to do. 

Maybe some other day, a warmer day when maybe the boys can go to. That's the kind of hiking a 41 year old father of three boys does and enjoys!

Scars worth talking about

Scars are tattoos with better stories.  ~From a Toyota advertisement in Sports Illustrated magazine, 3 June 2002

I thought perhaps I would be wearing a speedo and showing off my scars this summer.  However, that simply won't be the case.  Summer officially kicks off Memorial Day weekend and there is no way I would be caught dead in a speedo.

Although I do have to admit that I do have some scars with some interesting stories.  Mine involve a four wheeler and a barbwire fence. One cut required thirty some stitches. It would be an understatement to say that it was a wild ride. 

Anyhow, just got back from a ball game, it is getting late and I am tired. 

Rise and shine fat cells

"No diet will remove all the fat from your body because the brain is entirely fat. Without a brain, you might look good, but all you could do is run for public office." ~ Geroge Bernard Shaw

I have heard we don't actually burn fat or rid our body of fat cells.  Our fat cells don't go away, they simply go to sleep.  And my fat cells have been awaken and I don't like it at all.

Raining dark chocolate candy kisses

I'd give up chocolate, but I'm no quitter! ~Author Unknown

It was time to pick up a new bag of Hershey's dark chocolate candy kisses.  Only a few kisses were left in the jar.  And I was about to be a quitter. I'm need my small dose of dark chocolate. 

Even today while I was trying to eat on the go I had to have my 100 calories of bittersweetness. I grabbed one of those make your own tuna salad packets for lunch. It was ok, but left me wanting something a little more satisfying. By the time I got back to the office it was time to break into the bag of dark chocolate kisses.  Of course, I broke into the bag in style. Instead of cutting it open, I had to pry it open with my bare hands.  Once the bag came open, it was raining dark chocolate throughout my entire office. The desk, my chair and the floor was covered purple candy kisses. 

Happiness in a plate of eggs

"All happiness depends on a leisurely breakfast." ~ John Gunther

Who wouldn't be happy after eating a breakfast from Oscars.  Caleb and Logan ate their way through a full order of biscuits and gravy.  Derek and I finished off omelets the size of platters. And Paula dined on an order of eggs, bacon, hash browns and toast. Happiness is an understatement. 

Of course tomorrow I will have to walk a few thousand more steps and eat way less.  But guarantee you I will still be eating another leisure breakfast, fewer calories, but still a leisure breakfast.

CBS replaces Sheen with Kutcher, I replace sleeping in with working out

"It is exercise alone that supports the spirits, and keeps the mind in vigor." ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

So, Ashton Kutcher is replacing Charlie Sheen on Two and a Half Men. Of course the media instantly speculates about what Charlie thinks about his replacement and whether or not Ashton can keep the sitcom at the top of the ratings. What I'm concerned about is what workout regimen is Ashton going to use to prepare for his role on the television show. 

When the six foot movie star got in shape for the movie, The Guardian, he swam everyday. When he was in the movie, Killers, he was rumored to have used P90x to have the physique of a secret agent. And in a recent article of Men's Fitness, Kutcher admitted he was staying in shape using some Israeli military routine so he could be able to protect his family from Armageddon.  

So if Kutcher's role is anything like that of Mr. Sheen's, are we to expect a "diet and exercise" plan similar to that of his predecessor. I certainly hope not!  

Anyhow, I ramble on about all this only to say that after reading a workout article featuring the "king of twitter", I was inspired to go to the gym this morning and actually lift weights for thirty minutes!  So here's to Kutcher and Sheen, I wish them both good health and wellness. 

Amazing, simply delicious doughnuts

Anyhow, the hole in the doughnut is at least digestible.  ~H.L. Mencken

Who cares if a doughnut hole is digestible or not, when you can the whole doughnut from the store across the street. 

For weeks I've been hearing about the most delicious doughnuts in all of Osage County.  It seems that every Friday morning the  Deutsches Heim store opens its doors at seven o'clock to sell freshly made doughnuts.   Although I go by the store every Friday morning to drop Derek off at school, I have been avoiding the glazed pastries because  I've been on this silly little diet. 

Although I am still committed to being healthy, well and physically fit,  I have discovered there is still room for a doughnut from time-to-time. So today I bought a box of the doughnuts and took them to work. The doughnuts were as good if not better than Krispy Kreme doughnuts. I can understand why I see more and more people stopping by the store every Friday. It is understandable why the store owners couldn't box the doughnuts fast enough. I have heard they have been making 700 plus doughnuts every Friday. Amazing.

Of course one doughnut was enough. I shared the rest of the box with the office. More than one of those doughnuts, I am positive I would be in a sugar coma for the rest of the day. 

Walking with the dogs, not chased by the dogs

Since Blogger was unavailable all day yesterday and making it next to impossible for me to make my daily post to Freckles and All, I used Facebook notes to get in my post for the day.  I'll be posting again later tonight! 

"A dog is one of the remaining reasons why some people can be persuaded to go for a walk." ~ O.A. Battista.

A dog is also one of the remaining reasons why some people, like myself, can be persuaded to run. Earlier today, I decided I would go for a walk in the neighborhood. It was hot, it was muggy and every dog in the neighborhood was awake. Our dog, Dottie, was barking at something moving in the woods behind our house. The dogs across the street were barking at something until I came outside and they decided to stop their silly behavior. As I took out down the street there was even more barking. Of course, they didn't stop barking and decided to trot behind me as I was walking. I really didn't need companions for my morning walk, however, they insisted. I told them they could follow along but no one was to chase me or nip at my heels and certainly not bite me.

I'm not the biggest fan of dogs. I may have already told this story, but as a small child I was biten by a dog on Halloween night. I blame my mother and to this day she denies my story is true. I suppose we didn't have money for costumes or my parents had simply failed to buy my brother Jeff and I costumes. We desperately wanted to go trick or treating. Since there was only one mask and it was too little for my big face, Jeff got to wear the cute little bear mask. I had to settle for making my own. I had to make a mask out of a paper bag. I colored some silly face on the paper bag and then cut out place for my eyes so I could see and a place for my mouth so I wouldn't sufficate. I'm not sure what I wore for a costume. I have had flashbacks of wearing a feed sack, but Mom insists my memories aren't true.

When we arrived at Grandma and Grandpa's house to go trick or treating, I was very excited to get out of the car. It was the first of maybe five houses that Mom would take us to before she had enough of Halloween for the year. I stumbled across the lawn walking towards the porch light when out of nowhere a big black ugly dog comes from out of nowehere. The dog barked and growled and I took out running for the house. The dog went for ankle with his narly teeth, luckily missing. My heart was pounding and I was till running, trying desperately to keep the bag on my head. The dog snapped at the calf of my leg just as I was reaching the door. I was never so thankful to see Grandma fling open the door. I flung my body into the house, out of breath and almost in tears. I never liked Halloween since and I'm still not all that fond of big black dogs.
In the dog's defense, if I saw a boy with a paper bag over his head wrapped in a feed sack, I would attack too!

Desperately seeking the perfect diet

"In minds crammed with thoughts, organs clogged with toxins, and bodies stiffened with neglect, there is just no space for anything else.  ~Alison Rose Levy, "An Ancient Cure for Modern Life," Yoga Journal, Jan/Feb 2002

I picked up and perused every single diet book in Walmart today.  I was looking for a diet or a workout or a plan of some sort to get me back on track.  After the ninth, maybe tenth book, I whispered to myself..."Put the book down and walk away!"

I told myself months ago I was done with diet and exercise books, so what on earth was I doing back in front of a shelf, top-to-bottom, full of such books.  Desperation I suppose.  I'm desperate to find the perfect diet for me. I am not sure it exists.

I'm feeling the quote I posted today. My body is stiffened from neglect. My organs are clogged with toxins.   And my mind is crammed with thoughts.  Is it any wonder I am feeling a tad desperate?

Fortunately, I left the selection of diet books.  I strolled the grocery aisles filling my cart with dark chocolate, Greek yogurt, bananas, oven roasted turkey breast and other healthy choices. Perhaps tomorrow will be slightly healthier than today.  

Attention Men: Lose 35 pounds, gain an inch in length

If you have health, you probably will be happy, and if you have health and happiness, you have all the wealth you need, even if it is not all you want.  ~Elbert Hubbard

Today, Oprah Winfrey had her last and final episode about weight loss. In her audience were 100 of her most loyal viewers who have lost more than 100 pounds.

While I folded the laundry and ate cookie dough from the carton, I listened as viewer after viewer told how they had been inspired by something they had heard and/or learned on the Oprah Winfrey Show over the last 25 years.

Although I applaud everyone for their weight loss success, nothing was all that inspiring to me until I heard Mike’s story. On a previous episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show, Dr. Oz made the statement that if a man loses 35 pounds, he will gain one inch of penis length. I remembered watching that episode. Everyone in the audience burst into laughter.

Mike also happened to be watching the show that day and it inspired him to lose weight. Mike started working out religiously and has now lost 104 pounds. His wife, Shannon, revealed today on Oprah that Dr. Oz was right!

So if you or the man in your life need inspiration or motivation to lose the weight and gaining an inch in penis length is important to you, I recommend visiting Oprah’s website to learn more about Mike and his diet and exercise regimen.

I myself cannot say for sure if penis length happens after you lose 35 pounds. I only lost 33 pounds from January 1 to April 9. Since then I’ve gained eight pounds back and struggling to find the time, motivation and focus to be healthy, well and physically fit. Perhaps I’ll never know if Dr. Oz was right or not.

http://www.oprah.com/oprahshow/Weight-Loss-Finale-Amazing-Transformations/7

Dust off that P90X DVD

"Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint." ~ Mark Twain


There is still hope for all of you P90X fans.  If you haven't seen it yet, check out the cover of the June issue of Men's Health.   Illinois Congressman Aaron Schock, a fan of the P90X workout, reveals his rock hard abs on the June cover to inspire the rest of us schmucks to get back into shape this summer. 

According to Aaron, he does P90X for 60-75 minutes everyday.  I'm thinking my 15 minute walk this morning explains why I haven't been considered for a cover of Men's Health.   Before you dust off your P90X DVDs or go online to purchase your very own copy of the workout, I must tell you that in addition to the workout Aaron also runs five miles, swims a mile and lifts weights 60-75 minutes.  

So men, if you want to learn more about Mr. Schock's workout visit this link.  http://www.menshealth.com/fitness/aaron-schock-fitness

And ladies, if you just want to check out Mr. Schock, the "ripped representative", then visit the same link. 

I don't think a really good pie can be made without a dozen or so children peeking over your shoulder as you stoop to look in at it every little while.  ~John Gould

I'm on the sofa reading a diet book.  

Sometimes all it takes is one sentence to capture a moment. 

So, that's it! I'm on the sofa reading a diet book.

A "broken" scale, a black suit and chocolate cream pie

"Coffee makes it possible to get out of bed. Chocolate makes it worthwhile." ~ Author Unknown.

Chocolate does make life worthwhile however it goes straight to my stomach, hips and thighs. After a full month of binging on chocolate, the scale enthusiastically revealed my seven pound weight gain this morning. 

Imagine stepping on the scale the morning you are suppose to fit your big behind in a black suit you just started wearing again.  "Suck it in big boy," I told myself. "Think skinny thoughts."

I'm not sure what I was worried about because I fit in the suit just fine.   The pants might have been a little more snug than the last time I wore them which was at my father's funeral a month ago.  I only had to wear it for eight hours so the worse thing that could possibly happen was that my pants might split wide open. 

Of course I made it through the day without splitting my pants.  I even ate a sensible lunch that included more salad than chicken or green beans and I skipped the cheesy potatoes.  

Instead of the potatoes, I opted for the chocolate cream pie. It was delicious. Yes, chocolate makes it worthwhile to get out of bed. 

"Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it." - Michael Jordan

I believe my biggest obstacle might be myself in this whole diet and exercise thing.  

I didn't get out of bed when the alarm went off.  Once I made it to the gym I only worked out for about fifteen minutes. I ate three chocolate chip cookies from McDonalds with my morning coffee and had a chocolate cream pie with lunch. It gets better. I grabbed a bag of M & M's while purchasing a Mother's Day gift at Wal-mart and after a reasonably healthy dinner at the Chop House Grille I came home to eat several scoops of chocolate chip cookie dough.  

I would say the obstacle to my weight loss goals would be me.  I will certainly have to work on that. 

Good food, great conversation with family

"I am on a seafood diet...I eat everything I see." ~ Author Unknown 

When dining with three young boys you simply forget you about what you are eating, what you should or shouldn't be eating, you simply sit back and let the evening unfold. 

While we were snacking on tortilla chips the boys and I had a conversation about what to get my mother for Mother's Day.  I received several suggestions from the boys. Logan recommended a gazing ball. Caleb suggested a trampoline. Derek suggested a four wheeler.  Paula was certain their suggestions were of no help, but I'm thinking a four wheeler is worth considering. 

Being Cinco de Mayo today, the restaurant was packed. Being busy also afforded us the opportunity to get cozy in a booth. Although there was a little wait for the food, there was plenty of time for conversation and chips.  The service was excellent, the food was delicious and  the time with the boys was priceless!

Better than spending time counting calories and walking on a dreaded treadmill.  Diet. What diet?!

Laundry room fitness

"Commit to be fit." ~ Author Unknown

Did you know that you can burn 79 calories an hour doing the laundry? I’ve been putting clothes in the washer and dryer and folding and hanging clothes since I got home from work. It's a good thing you can burn calories doing the laundry because there’s not been time for fitness, let alone committing to it.

I’ve been at this since five thirty this evening. If all goes well I should have everyone’s clothes washed by 10 or 11 this evening. By then I should have burned 130 calories or more.

I'm spending so much time in the laundry room tonight, I've thought of keeping dumbbells in here, maybe even a treadmill so I can workout in between loads of laundry.

Weight loss insanity

Saying yes to the skinny jeans by saying no to the donuts.  ~Betsy Cañas Garmon

Saying no to the donuts isn't an issue for me.  I can take or leave a donut.  As you might know, I have a problem saying no to the chocolate chip cookies and to the carbohydrates. 

Sunday, I decided to say no to the processed carbohydrates for the month of May.  Why did I decide to do something so insane?  Because I have completely lost my mind.  The reason for my insanity was the realization that if I didn't do something drastic and intense I was not going to reach my weight loss goal by Memorial Day.  

I promised myself I wasn't going to do this again. I was not going to fret about a goal. I wasn't going to be obsessive about reaching a goal by a certain time. I wasn't... but here I am ...fretting, obsessing and driving myself crazy. 

After polishing off about thirty tortilla chips and the chicken fajita salad including the tortilla shell it came in this evening, I realized perhaps the idea of eliminating carbohydrates was not a wise decision.  So enough the madness, I am going back to a sensible diet complete with a chocolate chip cookie now and then. 

 

Chocolate and sugar withdrawal

To lengthen your life, shorten your meals.  ~Proverb

I did eat smaller meals today, even yesterday. However, I'm not particularly interested in lengthening my life.  I just want to shrink my back side and keep it shrunk. 

It's 56 degrees on a Monday evening.  I'm outdoors watching my son's baseball game in this frigid weather.  I'm sitting in my extra wide lawn chair sipping coffee from the concession stand  just to stay warm.  It was tempting to have a candy bar with the coffee, but I contained myself. 

I haven't had any Easter candy since Saturday.  I am certain the sugar and chocolate withdrawal will hit hard tomorrow.  It might be tonight - Caleb wants, of all things, a candy bar from the concession stand. 

Avoiding the processed carbs

"If nature had intended our skeletons to be visible it would have put them on the outside of our bodies." ~ Elmer Rice

I avoided the dessert table at the banquet this evening. Instead of a rich, creamy and high calorie dessert, I had four strawberries instead.   It was the perfect little taste of sweetness to go with my dinner. 

After a day of eating well and actually spending forty minutes on the treadmill, I certainly didn't want to mess that up while attending a high school banquet with my son.  With plenty of food to select from, I carefully selected food that was high protein and low carb and above all avoided the dessert table.