Walking Catfish Wednesday

Great walk yesterday after work. Took on my 2 mile neighborhood loop for the first time in a long time. Maybe first time since last winter to be honest. It took me 32:50 to complete, a far cry from my best time of 29:30 on that loop. Not upset at all that I was that far off my best pace. It gives me something to challenge myself on as I get my mojo back.

Great eats yesterday too. Baked up a mess of catfish, here is what a mess of catfish looks like before...

These were in my freezer for a couple of months. A work mate of mine is a fisherman & hunter as am I. So a couple of times a year we have a game-exchange. Over the summer I traded him a mess of venison chops, brats & bacon for a bag of catfish & two pheasants. It's only right to share ones harvest with a neighbor!

Here is what they look like after giving them some love before cooking...

The dish on the left and another like it not pictured are traditional corn meal & spice coated fillets. The dish on the right is not coated in corn meal or any other starchy/carby coating, thus a bit healthier. That dish ese are seasoned in different flavor combos. Top to bottom: Chili Crusted,... Lime Pepper,... Garlic-Maple.

I oven baked all the fish versus frying in oil to keep them healthier still. Whoa these were some serious delicious! These were small fillets by standard, so my mind was telling me I could affrd to eaten six fillets. But I just had two as hard as it was to stop there.
Hey I wanted to let all know that I've been reading your blogs but have had a problem commenting on some of you that use Blogger. Oddest thing, I get that error when trying to comment on some blogger blogs, not all. The ones where the comments are left in pop-ups, I do not have a problem with. But when the comment is made on the page itself (like mine) and I have to select 'select profile' for google account, that is when I get this error. I am signed in, I have to be as I can post on my blog, edit, etc, yet never in the upper right corner does it show me signed in. I've posted a cry for help in the blogger help forum, we'll see if someone rescues me.

Enjoy This Day!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 409 - Adorable Blog Award

Back to work we go. Well, right after publishing this post that is. Hope all had a great holiday weekend. We enjoyed ours here. Saturday was our daughter's high school graduation, Sunday got in a couple of miles just before we we're treated to a monsoon of a thunderstorm, and yesterday we got in 4 miles before settling in to clean our rifles while the ribs got busy in the smoker. Good times...

How was your holiday weekend?

Karen over at Waisting Time gave me a blog award last week, The Adorable Blog Award. Very kind of her to do so. Not often I get called adorable so this is a rare treat for me. Kittens are adorable, so my wife says. But I'd rather be adored than have another cat in the house to adore; we have four, that is enough.

Rules of the Award
*Thank the person who gave you this award, and link back to them in your post.
*Tell us 10 things about yourself.
*Nominate your bloggers.
*Contact these bloggers, and let them know they received this award.

Ten things about me huh, lets see here; completely random and rapid-fire here I go....
1. Tomatoes, I love Tomatoes!
2. I grilled corn in the husk yesterday, husking corn is not fun; I'd rather have grilled Tomatoes.
3. Saw the Hangover Part 2 last week, Sick, Twisted and Hilarious; glad I went.
4. It has been at least a year and likely closer to two since I have had a real hangover.
5. Stacey Dash is trending on Twitter right now, I have no idea who that is.
6. If I were 18 again, I would not be in such a hurry to grow up.
7. I am hoping the Boston Bruins beat the Vancouver Canucks in the Stanley Cup Finals.
8. Frisbee, I never found throwing a frisbee to be enjoyable.
9. Zippers or Velcro; I am old school, give me a zipper!
10. Something I never understood, How is it that Willie Wonka is so skinny?

It has been a while since I have received/passed on a blog award. Let me pass on the fun to the following...
Ewa from Trail To Wellness
Tim from Fat Boy Thin
Sarah from not An Effing Diet
Floriana from Sugarless Diet
MandaPanda from Candland To Bandland
Carrie from Family Fitness Food
Christine from Phoenix Revolution

And I could go on and on for sure as I adore all of you who blog for fun, for fitness, for sanity, for insanity. By all means check out those I have linked to here, you wont be sorry.

Have an Adorable Day!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 400-401: Hock-A-Post



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 Time is so short this morning that I am going to have to hock up a quick post and put it out there. Hope it sticks and is worth your time today...

Great workout on Saturday. Hit the YMCA, mangled the weight room, tortured the elliptical. And I hit the assisted-chin/dip machine. Man that machine wore me out. Which is just why I am going back for more tonight.

School, this the final week of high school for 3 of our 4 high school'ers. This coming Saturday the Senior graduates; just less than three months and she is off to college. A year'ish from now our Junior graduates..., two from now the Sophomore..., three from now the Freshman. Five from now were are flat broke and selling plasma so we can eat off of the dollar menu.

Nachos, I can safely report that I ate no nachos this weekend. Although we do have a cat named Nacho, and I did pet him, so call me guilty!

Saw a snipet of a tv show this weekend where the menu included chocolate covered bacon, If ever I was to get married again it would be to a piece of chocolate covered bacon.

If I could read your mind, what would I be reading right now?

My wife got herself a heck of a sunburn yesterday while we were watching our son play soccer. And he lost 6-1, doesn't seem right mom goes out there, gets burned while watching his team get burned. Should be a sunburn back guarantee with the price of admission.

My stomach just growled, I am ignoring it. Probably just my heart moving stuff around for the additional fortitude I'll be moving in. Ah, growled again; better hurry up and get that fortitude!

I followed many tweets about FitBloggin'11 which took place this past weekend. Sounds like a great time, need to give that consideration for next year. That link there goes to the sites page of links to posts from those who attended and reviewed their experience. Some great reading there.

Ok, that is what I have to share today.

What about you, what can you hock-up and share with me from your weekend?

I'll resume the leadership traits tomorrow...

Have a Great Monday!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 358-360: Just Stuff U Wanna Read

Hope all had a fantastic weekend!. I did; highlights:
Wife bought me a new LaZBoy chair to replace the LaZBoy she bought some 11 years ago.
Dinner with my wife & mother at Bonefish Grill.
Watching (on TV) Matt Kenseth win the NASCAR race in Texas.
Watching the Blackhawks secure a playoff spot even though they lost their final game of the season.
Getting in an outdoor walk with my wife.
Going to the DMV on a Saturday morning, wait; that was NOT a highlight!

Yeah, I know it is Tuesday and that weekend well wish may be a day late. Took Sunday off from blogging and yesterday just too busy to get here. Almost made the time but just couldn't get the quality 10-15 minutes needed to write a post.

Question: How long does it take you to write your typical blog post? I know some can bust their typical post out in 5 minutes, others need an hour or more. Myself, 10-15 usually.

So the picture there to the top/left, what do you think that is? No, this is not a picture riddle. Has been a while since I've posted one of those, about time for another; soon I promise. But as I added in those two red circles to this cell phone photo of mine I wondered just what others might think I am highlighting...

A. That I started to draw a pair of googly-eyes and forget to finish?
B. My way of reminding myself that if I want to look so far away I need to remember to wear my glasses?
C. Using these circles meant to highlight something else?
D. Other?

My guess is more of you have D thoughts and if so please do share. While it is true both B & C apply here, C is what my intent is. As for A, I rarely draw googly-eyes but when I do, I am the Picasso or googly-eyes; just another of my many unknown talents now made public.

So the something else I am highlighting for you here is a pair of deer. The walk my gorgeous wife & I went on this past Sunday was at the Rollins Savanna, a place I have blogged about often. We just did the 2-mile segment versus the 3.6 mile full loop. Weather was amazing, it was this amazing...

Friday it was 50F'something, Monday 60F'something; great days sandwiching an awesome 84F Sunday. A freak temp spike for April for sure, not complaining for certain.

OK, back to the red circles, sorry had a momentary bout of bloggers ADD, aka as BADD. As I said there are deer in them circles, see them? No, of course you don't, neither do I. This photo was taken while my amazing wife & I were on that walk. I used my trusty Blackberry to snap that shot knowing full well it was futile. OK, it was an excuse to stop walking for a minute and look at lunch, I mean at the deer.

Trust me, there is a deer in each of those circles. I could see them clearly with my naked-eye, and not at all with the Blackberry camera; doesn't say much for Blackberry does it?

Gas prices continue to rise around here. Hard to find the cheap stuff under $4 now. Saw one yesterday that was $3.97, this however seems to be the norm north of Chicago & Cook County...

Last week John shared with me his horror of when he landed at Chicago's Midway airport and was shocked to see 4.29 for regular unleaded... ugh, soon that will make its way north to my pump I am afraid. Forgetting about gas, let me talk about John. Not that he has gas, not uncool correlation intended there. Rather let it be know John is way cool and you would be way cooler if you followed him. My opinion, for what it's worth. What is it worth by the way?

HAVE FUN!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 320-331: Hello & Happy Pi Day

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Hello friends... Happy Pi Day!

You do know that today is Pi Day right? Well if you do not, you are likely not a math geek like me. Even if you do know it is Pi Day you may not be a math geek. Math geek or not we can all enjoy Pi Day.

Today is March 14th, or 3.14, thus Pi Day; get it? When I was a kid in school we didn't do anything special for this day. Today it receives attention in school and is used to unwind a bit. Pie served in the cafeteria, something frowned upon in many of today's school cafeterias. Teachers and students alike will bring in pie for the class to share. Some teachers will piggy-back on the topic and actually teach a bit about this uniquely strange number. As well they'll salute Albert Einstein's birthday which happens to also be Pi Day.

Yes I have found my way back to my blog after nearly two weeks away. Thanks to all for the emails, posts, tweets and carrier-pigeon asking where I've been and wishing me well in my absence. I am here, amongst the living. As noted in my last post my schedule has altered a bit and I've had trouble finding time to blog. I also took some time off for a long weekend away to Albuquerque and then another weekend away to Milwaukee.

Now, while I have found my way back here I cannot in all honesty say that I am not lost. I fear and feel that I've gone off-road re: prioritizing my health. Over the past few weeks while time has been tighter and while away for fun in the southwest I've performed horribly. Finding time for exercise has been sporadic at best. And daily I've found reason to enjoy too much of the bad stuff.

It is alarming to see the inequity in effort required lose weight and gain weight. We can eat well and work out and lose 1, 2, or even 3 pounds a week on average when we are vigorously disciplined to our mission. When we are vigorously disciplined in the other direction, we can gain 5-10 pounds a week.

Speaking for myself a ten pound gain is what I've seen happen here over the past few weeks. Much of that I know occurred over my four days in Albuquerque as that was allot of fun wrapped around some ugly displays of gluttony. I have a handful of pictures to share from that trip and as well some other stuff going on in my world lately, but I will hold them to share later this week. Instead let me stay on the health & weight loss topic here.

While I am disappointed I've allowed my schedule change and vacationing to get the best of me I am not discouraged. I've learned allot over the past near eleven months and know just what I need to do. The only thing preventing me from re-losing that 10 pounds is myself; not knowledge of facilities. I know what to do and have all I need to do it.

Tonight I have a date with the elliptical and I'll be stoked and fueled for that workout as I know just what I'm eating today and when. Looking forward to it! Oh, and we do have a pie in the house for the kids to enjoy with their Pi Day celebration. But that pie is not in my plans for today, instead I'll celebrate Pi Day by recalling some Pi Trivia.

Like...

If you have a circle the size of the known universe and calculated it's circumference to do so for that number to be accurate to within the radius of a single proton, how many decimal places of pi would need to be used?

Again - Happy Pi Day!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 315-319: Here Is March

Good Morning Folks, Welcome to March!

Thank You to those of you whom have sent me emails or Twitter DM's the past day or so inquiring about my absence. I am alive and staying healthy; all is well. Over the past couple of weeks my morning schedule has become increasingly compressed and the bit of time I usually write up a post & hit the blogs has been narrowing. It bothers me more that I have not been able to get to your blogs more so than I've not had time to write a post.

So I will need to get more creative with wringing out some blogging time it seems. That in itself may be my main goal for March. Yes, it is March. Spring is oh-so near, or so says the calendar. Hopefully the weather will equal the calendar's expectations. I am hungry to get out there for some outdoor cardio. Last December I was toughing out the frigid temps for some outdoor cardio and I was rewarded by catching a cold twice. So since then I have limited my cardio to the elliptical.

March, what do I have planned for March...

• A weigh-in, been about a month since I did that, thinking next week I'll give the scale a visit.
• I'll be attending the National Fiery Foods & Barbecue Show this coming weekend. That'll pose some dietary challenge which I will handle just fine. As well I'll be golfing a couple of rounds for exercise.
• My son has advanced to state regionals in Wrestling, not something we expected. I will miss regionals as they are this weekend but fingers crossed he advances on to the state finals the following weekend in Champaign; or are they in Springfield? We'll figure that out when he advances.
• I am going back to the plastic surgeon to get more of my face sliced off. Recall my recent brush with melanoma, I have another spot on my forehead I've been advised to kick to the curb as a precaution so kick it I shall. Damn!, I just this minute remembered last September I was told to park the weight lifting for a week or two while the incision healed; $#&T!!!!!.
• Spring Break is the last week of March, I'll take a day or two off that week for yet to be determined fun.

So what do you have planned for March?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 294 - Tips For Free

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Everyone needs a tip or two here and there for improving their get-fit game. If it weren't for the many fine tips from my fellow bloggers there is no way I would have had the success I have had thus far. For that I thank you, and allow me to reciprocate with these offerings...

Veggies, many of you don't like them, yet you know you need more. You are just looking at the wrong veg. Turn away from those over ripe ugly choices in the store. Instead go for the baby veg. Just look at those baby carrots there; aren't they cute! How could you now just fall in love with them and want to gobble them up?

You do not have to give up the foods you love. That would be just wrong to deprive yourself completely of the foods that make you smile if not feel food-drunk. However, yes there is a but in the best interest of your butt; those foods you love must be modified into less horrifying looking versions of gluttony. For me Pizza is one of my food loves. And when I indulge, I tame down the damage it can do me by making them into cat shapes. No way these kitties are going to harm you...

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Blog and Blog often. But if you think punctuation is not important, think again...

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Now you know diet alone is not sufficient over the long haul. Exercise is a MUST. But if you won't take my word for it, maybe the words of a professional cartoonist will resonate stronger with you...

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Yes, all of that advice is free. I know, my generosity is priceless.

Put it to good use as you embark on your day today.

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 293 - They Said What?

Good Morning. Your snow storm (a.k.a. Snowmagator) update for today; our schools are closed again. Urgency is lacking in getting the roads back to normal. A bit surprising it is taking so long for me it is no big deal really, I can work from home easy enough.

Yesterday it took two of my teenage boys & I 1.5 hours to remove all the snow from our driveway & sidewalks. They say we had 20 inches of snow fall, I believe them.

There you see a picture before we got started. My daughters car had drifts around it that I took a tape measure to which were 35 inches deep. Bummer too as I really wanted go out and shoot some hoops!

Today seems like a great day to give some Shout-Outs to some bloggers and their posts which grabbed me good recently. Check them out, I think you'll be glad you did and follow on with these fine bloggers if you are not doing so already...

MARY from A Merry Life gave us this cool & very unique insight into what has been motivating her over he long journey. Literally long!

Do you have your own, "The Stack" story?

Myself, nothing as cool as Mary, but I have a bunch of T's I've received as gifts over the past decade that are 1x which I am determined to fit into this year.

DEB from Deb Shrinks got my attention quickly with the title of this post, Vaseline, frozen eyelashes, oh, and ONEDERLAND BABY!!! Actually when I saw it all I read was 'Vaseline' and I raced to click open the post; what does that say about me? It wasn't until I read onto the final paragraph that I noticed her HUGE NSV NEWS where she has arrived in ONEDERLAND.

Have you had an NSV recently you have yet to share?

Myself, well, I have a pre-NSV in that I am on the verge of taking hammer & punch to my old belt again. Maybe in a week or two; NO, definitely in a week or two!

BETHANY from Bethany's Journey is a new blogger. She is also the daughter of KAREN from Sunshine's Heart, so you can call this a Two'fer Shout Out entry. CAUTION, if you do not like cute pictures of infants & toddlers, don't go here. Bethany has begun her weight-loss journey, lets share our experiences with her to help get her off and moving here.

Remember when you started your weight-loss journey?

Myself, absolutely. The difference from then to now in my knowledge of the topic and understanding of my capabilities is as different as the taste of cow-pies and moon-pies (making an assumption here that cow-pies taste worse than bad).

Spread What Moves You & Shout Out Some Link Love This Week!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 292 - Come On, Out Plank Me Already!!

Snow, yes, we have allot of snow. Schools are closed, my wife & I are working from home, winter can kiss my round yet knavish hindquarters...

Moving on... last week I spread the news of Josie's (Yum Yucky) plank challenge known as The Planktastic Plankathon Challenge. Hit up her link there and check it our if you have not yet done so and enjoy the videos of the challengers taking on this tough yet fun exercise.

Myself, I made a go at it on Saturday and chose to do the Straight-arm plank hold, I did better than I expected by holding position for 90-seconds. Josie was cool enough to include my video on her page (link above). She surprised me when she noted that I was current male challenge champ for that hold.

Huh, over-weight / weak-core me is the champ? Never would have guessed that.

Pondering that I figured the male bloggers out there who follow Yum Yucky just haven't participated. Oh some have in different categories; Reinaldo of DarnFitness put up an insane 6 minute Forearm plank hold.

Quite a few female bloggers have taken up the challenge in various categories, again check out her blog to see them in action. There are even some doing slightly easier holds such as the knee plank or the assisted plank. My fave, 88-year-old MamaMcFoodie getting her forearm plank hold on! Her video alone is worth the visit!

But I am sure that is just a matter of time until other male bloggers play along with Josie. But until they do, I suppose I have to challenge myself to up the time in this grueling category.

And I did just that. Here is my effort Tuesday afternoon, I nudged the time up to 2 minutes!...


What it is about this challenge I like I am not sure. Perhaps because it is quick to do; a minute or two or a few is all it takes if you've got game. Perhaps it is because I realize my core is weak and this does wonders for addressing that. Perhaps it is because I like feeling my whole body quiver and quake and know it is not a bad thing. Perhaps because I find it FUN!

Now, ENOUGH about me. What about YOU?

I am CALLING out my fellow male bloggers, you got game?

No way 2 minutes should be the championship mark men!

Female bloggers, many of you inspire me to move, so I know you got game!

Pick a category, get your video going and get in the fun being had here if you deem yourself healthy enough to take this challenge.

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 271 - Stylish Blogger Award

Good Morning one and all! Hope all are enjoying the whether it has been filled with snow and hot chocolate, or, sun and chocolate milk.

We received about six inches over a days time here in the Chicago area. Which is akin to a fly buzzing about for a few seconds; easy stuff for the hearty folks here. Nothing was shut down, the roads moved with minimal slow down due to conditions; it was a tame dose of fluffy light harmless snow. Those of you that endured the not so nice dose of sloppy heavy nasty snow, bummer;it'll melt soon enough.

Yesterday I was graced with the honor of receiving a blog award. Thank you to Michele and Josh @ Healthy Cultivations for honoring me with this Stylish Blogger Award. Check them out if you have not yet done so; great site for awesome food pics and thoughts on being mindful in eating and life.

Ok, some business for me in accepting this award:

1. Post and link back to the person who awarded you this award;
2. Share 7 things about yourself;
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers (or as many as you can); and
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they’ve won!

I can do that, here we go...1. Did that above.

2. Seven Things, whew, see if I can come up with some winners
--1-- I do not have a myspace account, perhaps I should apologize to the 500 people that they just laid off.
--2-- Rye bread is my favorite, if it is not rye bread it really is just a sponge made out of food
--3-- I do NOT get what folks get all excited for Shark Week on television; that is cool why?
--4-- I have used the snow blower only once this winter; I now shovel by choice!
--5-- Watching the news on TV to be so 1992 and thus rarely do; by the time the news comes on TV I already know it all thanks to my blackberry or laptop.
--6-- I truly believe that Rachael Ray wants me; don't tell my wife please.
--7-- I'd run for President but I have a moral issue with being paid for doing nothing; but if I change my mind and win you better believe I am serving venison at the inauguration luncheon.

3. Hmmm, 15 recently discovered great bloggers, not all are recent but let me recognize...
Zineb @ Losing My Baby Weight
Carrie @ Family Fitness Food
Rinn @ Ring Around Rinn
Chubby McGee @ A Mom On A Journey To get Fit Forever!
Suzanne @ Scared Of Wearing A Bathing Suit
Darla @ My Winning Year 2011
Stephanie @ She's In There Somewhere
John @ Prior Fat Guy
C. @ The Evolution of Me
Mrs. D @ In Pursuit
Kelly @ KellyisLosingWeight - I am a Future Thin Girl!
Michele @ Ruminations and Uncovering: Toward a New ME!
Anne @ How I am Losing It
Cinner @ ME, MY FOUR CHINS AND I
andi @ My Quest for a Yummy Life!

4. Done

Have a Great Day!


Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 266 - Some Friday Follows

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Wazzzup? Hey There! Yo... or just plain Good Morning...

Yep, it is Friday and I have no desire to talk about me. I am good, real good, I just haven't an interesting thought re: ME at the moment.


SOooo, since it is Friday and my next stop is Twitter to pump out some "Friday Follows" ( For you tweeters hashtag #FF ), why not put up a couple of them here and shout-out some fellow bloggers/tweeters whose own interesting-ness recently grabbed my attention.


Maybe you are already following on with them, if so you are as lucky as I am. If not, then this is your lucky day!

Vinny over at The Fat To Fit Diary - he tweets at @VinnySlavin

His blog link there is to his post yesterday. He shared some good news in first post of the new year; a nice number summing up his 2010 success and a grand announcement to kick off 2011. Check him out, comment & #FF him up.

Cindy Lou over at jillian inspired journey - she tweets at @jillianinspired

We've shared a tweets for a few months. Cindy's got great focus; her 2010 saw her lose a mess of weight, go on a cool cruise with Jillian Michaels, fight through some challenges and run a bunch. Why she doesn't have more blog followers is a mystery to me, I certainly need to enjoy her journey there as much as I enjoy her tweets. Oh, and I recommend that you do so also!

Oh I have a bunch more #FF love to give... whether you tweet or not is irrelevant; on your blog or however you can, follow someone up with some friendly thoughts today!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 243-249 Enjoying These Holidays

Hello Bloggers, Hope all have been doing well this December & Holiday season.

Myself I am having a blast thanks in very large part to being fitter and friskier than I have been in years. I've been having so much fun wrapping up things at work for the year, connecting with family & friends as the holidays near, and continuing to exercise and eat well. While I have gained a bunch of energy it seems I have struggled a bit with time management. But not in a bad way, simply I'm enjoying being active having fun so much that I've struggled to make time to sit down and do things like get my blogg'n on.

Twitter has seen allot more of my time the past few weeks that the blogs; so much easier to connect with folks when time is tight from the cell browser than blogs. For those of you that don't tweet I'm sorry to have been absent from you for a while. So what do I have to say today? Who knows, making this up as I go which is my norm. Let me share a few thoughts via photos...

As I have said I continue to get in the exercise and am eating well. Let me not mislead you though, while my eating has been well, but not phenonemal. Thus my weight loss has slowed to a crawl, but the scale still leans a bit more downward each time I step on which has only been about once every 10 days since the holiday season has started.

Exercise, still loving it even though the winter is here and messing around with my outdoor cardio. We have to find fun even in the cold and here is a bit of fun I saw along my walk the other day...

This snowman came complete with mini-guitar and it seems he had a band mate at one time who didn't cut it and was knocked over so this guy could go solo.

In recent years I have felt older than my actual age at times, these days I feel younger than my years...

And I choose to not get old anymore.

Last week my truck hit a milestone turning 140,000 miles...

Averaging about 20,000 a year and I'd like to get another 140,000 out of it if I can. Wishful thinking I am sure but with one kid entering college each of the next 4 years, I will do all I can to get as much life out of my truck as I can my own body.

This is just a reminder to myself to stretch more than I do...

Why I still don't respect the need to stretch as much as I should I do not know. If these ladies can do it, so can I!

While I have not always been healthy in my approach to my weight I have always been on my game in my approach to my dental health...

Here are my x-rays from yesterday's semi-annual exam & cleaning. Yep, those are fillings you see there. I think I have had 6 or 7 in my life. I didn't have any until I was 20 and that year I had 4!

And just because I like to have fun, you get to look at this...

Are you really surprised?

Have fun everyone; Have FUN!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 202 - Tagged With Enthusiasm

Going to keep it brief and fun today...

Fruit Count: 103 - We have collectively eaten 100 pieces of fruit the past three days. Just past /2-way to our goal of 199 now. More putting of fruit into our mouths people, let it drip all down your chin & arms; eat fruit with passion and shout out how many pieces you eat today!

Dr. Fat To Fit tagged me the other day with four questions. I am to answer them and then ask 4 others a different set of questions. I love a good game, so with Enthusiasm; my word for today; here we go... Here are her questions for me:

1) If you could be any animal, what would you choose?
Eagle - An amazing combination of grace & power that I can't imagine possessing. And the ability to fly - schwwinnngggg!

2) Name 1 thing you would NOT do, even if I payed you a million bucks?
Dishonor my marriage vows. they say everything has a price, but that is my exception that rule.

3) Name one big news event that made an impact on you other than 9/11. Why and How did it impact you?
Nixon's resignation. I was only 9 years old, but that event opened a young mind to not just the theatre that is politics, but more so to the wonder that is history. I am a political junky (though I won't talk it on my blog) and a history addict. I can trace that addiction back to Nixon.

4) Where did you go or would you like to go on your honeymoon?
Walt Disney World, my wife is addicted to WDW. We also went there for our 10th anniversary. And a few other times in between and since. Getting the picture?

Here are my 4 lucky bloggers...
Kimmi
TheHeavyMan
Keelie
Mertle

Please answer these here or on your blog and and then ask 4 others a different set of questions.

and their questions...
1- You are banished to a small island with seeds to grow one veggie, that's all you get to eat for eternity, which veggy do you choose?
2- Farthest distance at one time you have ever walked/jogged/ran/biked, etc. under your own power?
3- Do you consider Friday the 13th to be unlucky, lucky, or neither?
4- What was the last furry thing you touched? And did you eat it?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 167 - Fun, Need More

Our picture riddle yesterday was fun for some good guesses. The most popular guess was the tassel rope/cord on a on a graduation cap. And that certainly was close, but not quite right. My fave guess was it being "polypropolene rope to keep my black silk shorts up during runs", thanks Ann :-)

Becky over at First Steps did get it right with her guess of "the gold honor cord I got to wear around my neck at graduation". The difference being that this was the honor cord I wore when I graduated, finally, in 2007. Thanks to all for playing and congrats Becky on nailing the answer. Good times.

The picture there is me on that day. It is actually a photo of a photo, our scanner died; hence the cruddy quality. Look at the face! Easily I am 310 if not much closer to 320 in that photo. Cheeks, chin, even my ears are fat! Not sure what exercise to do to slim the ear lobes. And the gown, it was huge. They had three sizes if I recall; Small, Large & Tent. So glad I have left the tent sizes and a chin or two in my wake recently.

Thursday was fun for me in many ways...

• Blogging, fun; so many of you posting up good news I can't get enough. I need more time to comment and draw even more inspiration from you. Oh, read a good one today here at The Right Fit.
• Twitter, fun; some of you connected up with me after yesterdays post and we got busy chattin up being healthy and goofing off a bit too. I had to let it be know to FatGirlvsWorld that the Giants will fall to the Bears Sunday night. She'll get over it.
• Work, fun; yes it was fun too. Someone tried to ruin my day with a project delay & I disarmed them with humor and understanding. Once the chip was off his shoulder we got the schedule re-set in a way that satisfied all.
• Eating, fun; I kicked butt keeping temptation at bay and chomping down on good quality choices. Well, um, maybe I did have a few too many beans in my salad.
• Exercise, fun; knocked that ball so far out of the park that it filed a flight plan with Captain Kirk. Or do you prefer Captain Picard? Sit ups, Push ups and walking. Then round two was a one mile walk/jog combo for time, the first time I timed such a combo; 15:14 minutes. So we'll use that as a benchmark to improve on going forward. This and Lake Andrea will be my personal challenges for the near future same as Stanton Hill was over the summer. Thanks Jody for giving me the inspiration to have such a personal challenge to keep exercise fresh, fun and meaningful.
• Family, fun; my wife is gorgeous, sexy and I can't keep my eyes off of her when she gets home. My daughter was accepted to her first choice of colleges and raked in a good size scholarship to boot. So now I wont have to sell as much plasma as I feared. My boys, well they didn't get in trouble yesterday so a thumbs up to them too.

October is here, I am having fun, and I want more!

What do you want more of?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 118 - We Win When

Yesterday Christine asked me this; "So, um....what are you doing this week to ensure that when you step on the scale on Sunday that you'll see a loss? Because you came out even last week, right?"

Now that is what I call great; friends holding friends accountable. Thanks Christine. And to answer your question, here is what I have been doing…

Exercised on Tuesday & Thursday. Tuesday was the mosquito walk I blogged about and yesterday was a lunch time walk. Both about 2 miles. Accountability consideration; not enough. Argh, it is true, just that plain too; not enough. More cardio will be had today & tomorrow and a stint with the dumbbells will be had too - promise!

Food has been good this week, not great and not bad. I have found that I am being tempted more and pondering giving into to temptation more as of late. Not sure why, perhaps all of the change influences I blogged about yesterday. Really I don't want to ponder that too much as it feels like I am searching for excuses.

Certainly I have no excuse for any giving in to temptation of which I can cite two instances this week. Our team at work went out earlier this week to welcome a new hire to the team, and beer & pizza was everywhere which I did dabble in. I didn't dive into it as I would have in the days of old, but, if honest I dabbled more than one who is looking to drop pounds ought to have. The other was whipping up some homemade Mac N Cheese for the wife & kids for dinner, I think it was Monday, and then having that as my dinner too. Lately when doing something like that for them I've usually whipped up a salad for myself. That night we had no salad fixings in the house, so I had a small bowl of that sinful nonsense. Weak, that was just weak of me!!

Yesterday, thanks to Christine's poking me accountability nerve early in the day, I decided to make it a two'fer. I had two salads yesterday, one for lunch and dinner each. Would have been bad if I had two for lunch or two for dinner, no? The picture up above there, that is lunch. The one below here, that was dinner. I love mozzarella & tomatoes, a near perfect pairing if I ever tasted one.

Today will be just as good as yesterday I am certain. Um, no, it will be better; why not?

It is reflection like this that makes the difference in the success of a mission. It is people like Christine asking one simple & direct question that make the difference. It is that which will make the difference this time around which we all seek, I know I seek it.

This reflection has inspired me to title today's post, "We Win When"

We Win When - We blog, when we share our successes & struggles. We all need help, knowledge, accountability & an avenue to vent. Blogging gives us that and we get more of what we need when we give & take with those we follow.

We Win When - We say immediately say No to temptation & then say Yes to a better choice. Saying No should not be negative, it should not leave you feeling left out or punished. It should in fact feel good & empower you further. Following each No with a Yes enables that.

We Win When - We have fun with the changes we are making to our eating and exercise habits. Forcing ourselves to eat food we despise or perform exercises we dread or are not yet capable of doing, there is no fun there. Find the healthy choices that you can call fun, and have at them.

We Win When - _____________________________

You fill in the blank, We Win When ?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 117 - Back To Why

Source

Change is on the doorstep. Actually it is challenge that is here. Likely these or similar are appearing on your doorstep too...

• School starts next week for the kids; the one year all four will be in high school. The kids sports schedules are already picking up with try outs & practices and soon enough games.
• As noted yesterday the daylight hours are shortening noticeably now too.
• My plate at work has never been fuller; many new and more complex systems to usher from ideas to reality than ever.
• And there are other challenges dawning here as the summer inches closer to autumn.

In past years, these would be the paramount excuses I'd lean on for continuing onward with an obese lifestyle. They are the things that take time, drain the mental tanks, and zap the will make time to attend to yourself.

This however, is 2010. And there are other changes, challenges, I've introduced on my own...

• Exercise
• Blog
• Eat healthy
• Blog
• Plan ahead
• Blog
• Reward myself
• And I Blog 

These are the reasons I will not return to accepting being obese no matter what challenges appear.

When I started this blog I took to though and scribbled out a short list of reasons for accepting this mission. I documented them here, take a peak if you like...
What I Dislike and Don't Want…

Today, in realizing that challenges are appearing, I believe it wise to revisit that list and perhaps even add to it. In doing so, it is my hope that I am shining up the armour I wear that will protect me from the assault upon my will that these challenges will bring. And as well sharpen the paring knife I use to slice my fruit because i really like my fruit sliced neat & clean.

I wont re-write those I wrote before, hence the link back, but let me add a few new ones.
I don't want have to just walk for exercise, I want to be able to jog, skip, run, sprint, etc.
I dislike sweating in air conditioned rooms
I don't want to ever have to use a Gopher Pickup Tool for anything
I dislike waking up, getting up, and feeling ready for a nap 5 minutes later

So, what are some of the reasons you chose to start your mission way back when?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 96 - What's In A Name

Recently I was asked why I named my blog Responsibility 199. Naturally I had a quick answer, "Did you read the introduction at the top of my blog titles 'Responsibility 199, what is it?', it explains it there". Nope, she hadn't read it and instead of going on to read it and leaving me be to enjoy my apple she chose to comment that it just seems like a name that doesn't catch the eye, doesn't draw you in. Really, huh; I wondered for a second before dismissinmg any second guessing on my part. The purpose of the title is not popularity or even advertisement but just simply a super-duper-short summary of me and what I am doing. That's my take anyhow, maybe you see it different with your blog names.

All that said, when I was setting up this blog I did struggle with what to name it and I recall some of the ideas that came to mind at the time. Thought it would be fun to share them...

• Waisted No More (Had potential until I realized I am fat in places other than my waistline)
• This Is It (So boring I was afraid it would bore me from wanting to visit my own site)
• Mission Not Impossible (Gave this serious consideration)
• I Am Getting Healthy, Or Am I (Figured a dose of doubt might somehow inspire)
• Blog Be Gone (Sounded like a pesticide that might repel any interest including my own)
• I Can Do It (The chance of being seriously considered related to the Waterboy were too great to accept)
• Pounding Myself Off (um, for obvious reasons I left this one for someone else braver than I)

That's all I got today blog fans. Oh, before I go a quote to inspire, "Captain Insano shows no mercy"

 

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 82 - Forty Five

So far this week has been good for exercise and eating forgetting about Sunday and July 4th eating if you will. Monday my wife & I walked the Rollins Savannah 3.5 mile loop and yesterday my son & I walked the Lake Andrea 2.25 mile loop. Tuesday morning I did my dumbbell routine. More exercise will be had by the time I weigh-in this coming Sunday.

Speaking of weigh-ins, last Sunday I posted I had hit that 30% milestone but chose not to speak much about it since it was July 4th. But hit it I did and if I have not gone backwards on the scale this coming Sunday I will get to cash in on that 30% reward I have noted on My Numbers page.

This week I turn 45. Man, seems like just yesterday I was playing pinners in the school yard and collecting baseball cards as if it was the only thing that was of any importance. Well when I was 8, it was all that mattered.

One thing I know about turning 45 that is different than when I turned 44; I feel a heck of allot better. What my weight was exactly last July I am not certain but it is a safe guess it was between 310-320. The scale read 284 as I entered into this week. When you look at those two numbers they are both huge, both obese, both ugly; but they are night and day when it comes down to how I feel. When I turn 46, what will the number be? How much better will I feel then??

When YOU hit your next birthday, what will the number be?

How much better will YOU feel then vs. your last cake candle blowing?

Followers, I am up to 50 followers I see. When I started this blog 82 days ago I didn't think much about followers. Probably because I didn't figure too many people would be interested in following along with a guys efforts to lose weight. I mean, just how exciting can that be?

Well, I proved myself wrong with the latter part of that soon after arriving as I soon found it exciting to follow others in their efforts to get fit. Not only is it exciting but it is beneficial to my efforts, so much more than just cool reading. And we can never have enough friends in life and I feel I've added some new friends along the way as well. That makes it all worth it all on its own.

Myself I am following 70 other blogs now and that number should go up and up as I add a handful each week. True, some blogs on my list are not very active, but most are at least weekly posters and many are daily. Who knows how many I'll be following in a year from now, or how many will follow me. The number is really irrelevant. Whether it is 5 or 50 or more the relevance is that we enjoy the exchange, gain from it mutually, and form respectful friendships from our time here. If we do that, we'll all be so much more healthy in a years time.

Whew, sorry if that sounded a bit sappy. Being this rough and tumble sort of guy that I am this diversion is a bit out of character for me, I think. Perhaps birthday's do that to you. But hey, now you know what blogging, and what you, mean to me.

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 74 - Semi Complete

The last day of June is here. Half of 2010 is just hours away from being history. Did you hear me; HALF! Where does the time go?

Seriously; Where does the time go?

For me it used to get thrown away waiting 6 cars deep in a drive-thru line for a Big Mac value meal and 2 double-cheeseburgers off of that lovely dollar menu (where was that when I was in college?). The doubles were my appetizer before the Big Mac main feast; anyone else do that before?

Time was also given up to watching hours, 4-5 hours an evening, of TV. Crap like reality shows and how-to shows. Did I really need to learn taxidermy & how to grout tile on the same day? Will there ever be a time I do either; let alone do them both on the same day?

Oh let's not forget those hours I punted by napping on weekends if I didn't have anything else to do or because I was stuffed from stuffing my face. Just how relaxed does one person need to be? Plus dreams from naps aren't as good anyhow.

That's where too much of my time used to go to waste when this year began. Today Big Mac's have been replaced by balanced & portion controlled choices, most TV time has been replaced by blogging, and extra sleep has been replaced by weight lifting & walking.

How is today different for you from your days just six months ago?

Did you make any resolutions on Jan. 1, 2010 (I didn't) and if so how are you doing against them?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 64 - Happy Fathers Day

Happy Fathers Day ~ Our plan today to visit our fathers... drive from St. Charles MO to Marion IL (for BBQ @ 17th Street Grill ~ temptation alert), to Benton to visit my fathers grave, to Elmwood Park to visit Cathy's father, to Round Lake to park my butt in my recliner.

Wedding was a blast; there you see the happy couple. Hot couple too, it was mid-90s outside for their gazaebo wedding. For a wedding gift we got them a large bottle of Crown Royal & a couple of Chicago Blackhawks Stanley Cup Championship T-Shirts. Good time had by all.

Overall I didn't over indulge in food, maybe I came close to that fine line between getting my fill and getting more than one should fill up on. If anything the beer is what took me over the line. Although I was conscious of the beer impact as for the first time in my life I drank the '64' brand, just 64 calories per bottle. It had less flavor, make no mistake, oh the sacrifice!

Blogging is just not as fun from the phone via cell phone. I can post easy enough by sending pics & text to my blogger email address, e.g. this post was made via email and not directly on the blogger site. Problem is I can't do so on blogger directly via cell browesr, nor can I post replies on your blogs; but I can see & read your blogs. Oh well, I'll be back home tonight.

Enjoy the day!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!