Day 451-452: Clean Butt Thanks To Lady Luck

Monday's colonoscopy was all good news. The best part of the news was the fact I do not need to go for another one for 3 years, thank you!!!

Lady Luck was with me in the morning as I was first up on the list for my colonoscopy Monday morning, a 7:30 a.m. appointment. It couldn't have been 7:35 a.m. when they were knocking me out. Good thing too as the power went out shortly after 8 a.m., just minutes after I began waking up, the procedure complete. Those who were there, all prepared and waiting for their turn, they had to wait until the power came back on. Sure the back up generators kicked in and the placed looked as if all was normal. But apparently they are not allowed to start non-emergency procedures while on back up generator power.

That was nearly 24 hours ago. At home, our power is still out. Oh I hope they were able to get the hospital's power back online yesterday morning so that those folks waiting for there colonoscopy could get it done. It would score very high on the Suck-O-Meter if you had to reschedule that appointment after starving the day before & flushing out the plumbing that night. Hence why Lady Luck was with me in the morning.

Since our power is still out, I think Lady Luck left me, left the county it seems, as soon as the storms moved into our county yesterday morning. The storm swept through the area swiftly but it's brief stay was enough time to deliver a potent hit. I am one of the nearly 1-million Chicagolander's who lost power right away. As of this minute about 350,000 are still without power including us.

Well, speaking of this minute; I am at work where it is cool, there is internet (hence the blog post), there are cold beverages... the kids however are at home where it is hot, there is no internet, there are angry cats, and no cold beverages. I suppose I should feel bad for them.

Last night we grilled out for dinner. Since I wouldn't allow anyone to open the refrigerator of freezers when the power went out, we had to either make do with what was in our pantry or find something at a store to grill. Earlier that day when I had my son out learning to drive I noticed that one of the grocery stores was open for business. They were selling what they could via generator power. We snapped up a package of frozen chicken breasts and Ho-Ho's. So we had grilled garlic-ginger chicken, seasoned corn (from a can), and Ho-Ho's (kids felt these would help them through the heat of the night).


After dinner the kids we besides themselves since there was no internet, no television, no xbox. I had an emergency radio on listening to the news, but that did nothing to entertain them. So we broke out some old-school entertainment and played Monopoly. As the day was turning to dusk light became an issue. But we fared well making use of flashlights.

For the record, Cameron kicked all of our butts, it wasn't even close.
 

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 305 - Memories Are So Odd

source

Today is day 305 of my mission. Yesterday 304, tomorrow Lord willing will be 306. Now that I have the math out of the way allow me to entertain myself, and you, with why the number 305 is bouncing around my head like my niece bounced around my family room this past weekend.

How often does 305 pop up? OH it does at times when channel-surfing the TV, or when the amount to be paid is $3.05, or when a crash in the race I'm watching occurs on lap 305; the number really does pop up more often that one would expect. Whenever I see the number 305, my mind instantly reminds me that my 3rd grade classroom number was 305. I cannot tell you what my 2nd grade, or fourth grade classroom numbers were, or any other grades room number.

What happened in room 305 that burned that number into my memory so?

Dumplings. Anytime I see Chicken & Dumplings on a menu, on a buffet, or served at a dinner party; where ever it may be I almost always pass up on it. I know there is no way, NONE, they could be better than the dumplings my Great Grandma Bella used to make. When I hear the word dumpling, I think immediately of her. I'm sure she'd appreciate knowing that is how I remember her best.

We're her dumplings really that amazing that passing all other dumpling opportunities is justified?

Pencils, you may recall for Hanukkah I shared this story of my encounter with Sheldon Reese with you. To this day when I see a freshly sharpened pencil, or hear a pencil sharpener doing its thing; I instantly am reminded of Sheldon and look upon anyone armed with a pencil with a cautionary glare.

I have other memory triggers which I find odd. But those are enough to give you sense of how my mind looks backwards as well as forwards. We do need to leverage our past experiences, our memories, to help us forge better results ahead. But for the life of me I cannot figure out how 305, Dumplings & Sheldon popping in my head as they do does much for forging anything more than a smile and occasional chuckle.

Got Odd Memories?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 286 - Got Core-Values ?

Chicken Hash

New recipes, most health bloggers like to take on the challenge of a new recipe. I know I certainly do. This past Tuesday I came across a recipe for Chicken Hash. After my wife & I did our cardio we whipped it up for dinner; there you see it pictured.

The picture doesn't do it justice, and if you ask my kids it doesn't deserve any justice. Simply it was too healthy for them. Beans are like boogers to them, my wife too. The sauce was tomato paste based, too thick and tomato'y flavored for them, thus it appealed to them like snot.

Oh well, I liked it just fine. You win some you lose some; and whenever you try to inject a better health option into your day you win regardless. Winning, we all want to win this mission to get healthy we are on. Not a day goes by a blogger doesn't post on how hard it is day in day out to win at this.

How do we win? Oh entire books have been written on that topic, I don't have a book in me. But I do have thoughts on what I believe to be a major ingredient in the recipe for winning; core-values.

It is relatively easy to scribble a list of characteristics we feel we ought to live by. Certainly this is an exercise we ought to perform, list out what defines us; what are our core-values. Have you done so recently? Or have you ever? Take a moment to do so today, this week, or hey how about now?

Here are the core-values I aspire to exhibit in my effort to win my own mission...

HONOR, holding myself to the highest ethical & moral standards. Respecting the needs others and myself while acting responsibility in my endeavors to better the same.

COURAGE, embracing fear so as to overcome it. Bringing the combined strength of my mind, body & beliefs to bear on all challenges.

COMMITMENT, living with determination and dedication. Striving with vigilance for excellence in life.

Now note above I said I aspire to exhibit these core-values. I will not pretend I do so consistently. I am not a Saint, just ask my Mother; second thought please don't ask her.

What I do know is that when I put honor, courage and commitment to practice I am more CONFIDENT, I am WILLING to take on greater challenge, I have more FUN, I am more VALUABLE to myself and others who depend upon me, I PERFORM at a higher level; I WIN.

What core-values do you aspire towards?

 

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 205 - Fruit To Battleship

Fruit Count: 172 - Through the weekend we have collectively enjoyed 172 pieces of fruit over the the past five days. Mandy continues to be our lead fruit challenger, she knocked down 7 again on Saturday and 8 pieces on Sunday! Can we get to our goal of 199 by the end of day today, or at latest Tuesday; making it a clean week to get this fruit challenge done? Lets make a go at it, pick, pack and munch some winning fruit and shout out how many pieces you eat today!

Today's post will be a picture based affair to get the week off to an easy start. The pic of the fruit there, those are the three pieces I am taking to work today. Those will be eaten for sure, likely another piece or two will find their way in my belly by bed time as well.

This past Saturday I went to the Rollins Savanna for my cardio walk. I had not been there since July. Great place to walk, very well maintained preserve. Chilly morning, lower 40's. Thus I was dressed for the chill, but I cannot be accused of putting any effort into color coordination of this ensemble...

Along the way I realized I had company, my shadow. Keeping pace with me step for step. Hhmmm, can I log double miles for my November Go The Distance challenge?

No, I didn't finish as neat & clean looking as I started, but I did finish the 3.6 mile walk. After 54:49 minutes I completed what I had began. A PR by nearly 3-1/2 minutes better than my walk here. Water, I needed water.

Did you get in any cardio this weekend?

When I home I wasted no time getting some food ready. I was hungry! And here was my meal of choice for lunch; A broiled 'Spicy Chicken Breast' over a medley of peppered veggies. Spicy, simple and filling...

Do you like it spicy?

Sunday my wife and I hung out. First stop for us in the morning was a visit to the YMCA where she is a member. She is a swimmer and gets her cardio in via the water when she can. I decided to go with er using a guest pass. I gave their weight room the once over and had a great time. So many more options there than on my home gym. We noodle the idea of converting her individual membership into a family membership,and we might. The only reason we have not is location, this place is near where she works which is nowhere near where I work. So I am having issues justifying the added cost when I would likely just use it on weekends. Maybe...

Where do you workout?

These next two pics I lifted from a friends facebook page. Any Star Wars fans out there? If you are this is good for a laugh. My kids messed with Mentos & Coke when they were younger, this certainly looks like something they would have cooked up for fun...

Have you ever mixed Mentos & Coke?

Now this one doesn't need much commentary from me. Simply said, times have come along way...

Has anyone ever purposely smiled while washing dishes?

- - -

Have a great Monday!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 97 - Playing Favorites

Food has been on my mind this week, so, lets stay there. I've come to learn you have to eat healthy; have to. Otherwise you aint healthy, it is that simple; no?.

That said, where is it said that you can't ever eat the unhealthy stuff you like? You know what you like, right? And you know then know if it is healthy or not & how much and often you can eat it, right? I would assume the answer to those questions is yes for most. If you don't ponder and research. Or lets us know what food it is you are unsure of, plenty of folks here willing to share their thoughts on it I bet.

Whatever anyone says, don't ever just completely never eat something you like just because it is unhealthy.

So what are your favorite foods that are not the healthiest for you but you still enjoy from time to time?

Myself, well here are some of mine...

Breakfast: Four-egg omelets stuffed with four cheeses, four meats accompanied by four slices of rye toast, I used to call this the 4x4-Squared Delight. I do still eat omelets, but, it will be a while before I eat this behemoth again.

Lunch: Bacon Double Cheese Burger w/ fries, a simple all-American favorite. Not just any burger but you have to get one of these at a tavern; do that and it is twice as awesome'licious. Is that a word? If so, how many calories are in that word??

Snacks: Candy Bars, especially Snickers, Kit Kat's, Reece's PB Cups and Almond Joy. I used to get all four, sometimes two of each, and eat them all on one thirty-minute drive. Super sad, I know. Candy bars still have a place in my diet, but one or two a month at most.

Dinner: Fried Chicken & Dumplings, easily a 3,000 calories feast before adding side dishes. And yes, I used to have seconds, and thirds on the dumplings. How many servings of dumplings can you pack in at one sitting? My tops, FIVE!

Dessert: Chess Pie, omg my Great-Grandma made the best-est pies ever made. She made pies from scratch at the Maid-Rite in Christopher, IL for years and years. People would pay her to make them pies on the weekends from her tiny apartment kitchen. Whatever it took to survive the depression doldrums she used to say. Pie can be easily worked into your diet as you can control the size of the slice, right?

Late Night Snacks: Taco Bell drive thu. Especially if too many adult beverages had been consumed, this was the place to feast on the worst food on the planet while ones taste buds were numb and dumb. So fast food, I have committed to no more fast food and have no intention of doing any anytime soon. But if i were to open my mind to fast food again I'd say treat it like candy bars, once or twice a month. Not once or twice a day which I have done before.

Ok, I must go get some breakfast now; oatmeal and fruit awaits me!

Enjoy whatever it is you eat today and remember it is Ok to enjoy the unhealthy foods you really like once in a while.

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 95 - Attitude Maturation (Food)

I've chatted up my recent exercise a good deal & I feel real good about it. The new PR's are nice, but those are just numbers really. The importance of them is not having set new PR's but rather the fact that I have gotten out there and not only exercised but pushed myself. That's the real PR, the fact that I have moved my butt one more time than I had before. Hey, I steal nothing; that attitude about PR's is one I learned from someone who has been with me my entire journey here & whom I respect; Kyle.

Oh I do talk about PR's like they mean the world to me perhaps, but know that I do so only to motivate myself. No matter how much I may talk of PR's understand I know that what matters is the exercise getting done - period!

Food, food is really what I want to talk about today. Others have done reviews of their changes in eating habits comparing their before meals to their after starting to get healthy meals. I think of this as more than just changing how you eat, but adopting a new attitude towards how you approach food as a whole. So now it is my turn, a reflection of my old attitude of food vs. my new attitude.

Breakfast @ 615 a.m...
OLD ATTITUDE: Apple Fritter & Sausage Biscuit
(Oh how I love apple fritters! Someday I will treat myself to one but no longer are they typical breakfast fare for me)

NEW ATTITUDE: Greek Yogurt w/ Fruit & dash of Granola
(I thought of this post idea right after breakfast, so I had to surf for a similar dish; this is quite close)

Snack @ 845 a.m...
OLD ATTITUDE: Snickers Bar
(I miss these; the best candy bar ever!)

NEW ATTITUDE: Carton of Skim Milk (Moo...)

Lunch @ 1145 a.m...
OLD ATTITUDE: Burrito, Rice & Refried Beans
(I like my refried beans triple refried, and I wondered for so long why I am obese)

NEW ATTITUDE: Garden Salad (salad bar) w/ Tuna (canned) & Sesame Oil

Snack @ 245 p.m...
OLD ATTITUDE: Rice Krispie Treat
(Perhaps the best 'tasting' energy bar sold in our cafeteria for a mid-afternoon boost to the finish line)

NEW ATTITUDE: Apple

Dinner @ 645 p.m...
OLD ATTITUDE: Steak & Potatoes

NEW ATTITUDE: Grilled Chicken Breast, Fried Rice w/ Veggies & Fruit Salad
(I forgot to take a picture of my actual dinner so I had to surf and whack a similar dish together)

Dessert @ 745 p.m...
OLD ATTITUDE: Ice Cream Cone

NEW ATTITUDE: Grapes
(When I have a dessert which is now rare) 

Tale of the Scale
OLD ATTITUDE: 4,200 calories (40% fat, 40% carbs, 20% protein)
NEW ATTITUDE: 1,700 calories (30% fat, 40% carbs, 30% protein)
(calculated using a FitDay account I use for reference when needed)

Huh? Would you look at that. I've said it a few times since starting my blog that I do not count calories and certainly not the energy breakdown. I did it just for this one post, and I am somewhat surprised at what I see there.

I would have thought my diet change would have seen my fat & carb intake drop and protein rise. I didn't expect to see carbs stay the same. Perspective, let me keep perspective. This is just one days eating, so I wont analyze this too much. I am eating more fruit than ever before so maybe that is why my carb intake is the same. Hopefully the carbs I am taking in are better than before. And I am eating better proteins so that should account for the rise in protein and drop in fat intake.

You can analyze the numbers until you have a brain freeze. The part of this comparison that takes just seconds to tag as cause for my losing weight is the calories themselves. Roughly 40% the caloric intake of the old gluttonous me, that is the core of my overall new food attitude which has me on my way here.

How is your attitude today?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!