Day 224-226 Unplugged & Recharged

Good Morning Everyone! Hope all had a great weekend, and great holiday weekend at that. Did you?

Mine was quite good. For the most part I unplugged after Friday morning's post. A combination of allot planned with the family and just a need to mentally take a break from all of the structures that are my daily norm. Call it a mental vacation without going anywhere, just putting my mind at ease on other things.

A good decision too as I am ready for the new week re: work, home and health.  My brief stint away was not an unhealthy deviation from good sense. Had it been I wouldn't call it unplugging but rather unproductive.

Friday was largely spent at a wrestling tourney with Ryan which I spoke of with Friday's post. Ryan is a sophomore who wrestles on the J-V team. He was called up to the varsity team for the tourney to fill a void at his weight class; 189 pounds. His coach was upfront with him that this would be tough facing juniors & seniors many of whom have gone to state before. Just do the best you can for as long as you can and don't worry if you get your butt kicked. He lost both of his matches but he held his own. Mommadesure he knew that while he was beaten but his butt was far from kicked...

Before all of that wrestling excitement Friday morning started with my dropping Ryan off at the high school and then racing off (I almost typed 'scurrying', but I don't scurry!) to the sporting goods store for my foray into Black-Friday early bird madness. I do not hit the stores in the dark-hours on Black-Friday or any day no matter what the savings. But this store had a dang good combo deal on a 300-pound set of olympic weights and bar (pictured above) so I ventured into the madness. It wasn't too bad as the looney-tunes that camp out and lose sleep over sales had come and gone by the time I got there. Picked up a bench with leg attachment to use the new weights with. Oh these are not gifts, well I guess you can say they are for me and anyone else who wants to use them. But no wrapping paper needed. Came right home and set it all up in the brief window of time I had before it was off to watch wrestling.

Saturday was all about holiday prep. My wife and I took got in some shopping in the morning after breakfast allowing all of that day's early a.m. shopping-crazies to get in and out before us. Back home for a bit I got in the first workout on the new weights before rallying the boys to bring up the bins of holiday decorations and get that stuff out on the lawn. Well, we got started on it but soon came to remember that at the end of last year I threw away many items which were either broken down, tattered or just no longer wanted. This left us with way too little for the job. So off my wife & I went for another round in the stores to replenish the holiday decorations and as well we picked up the Christmas tree. Got a good one too, this thing just sucks up water like a sham-wow sucks money from the pockets of the easily entertained. Came home, got all of that set up and done which wore me out more so than the weights. Topped the day off by escorting my son and his girl friend to the movies. They made sure to sit on the opposite side of the theatre from my wife & I while we took in Due Date. ZZZzzz, I was ready for bed before bed was ready for me.

Sunday, a mix of fun. Up early and out the door with Andrew for a few hours of hunting on the last day of the regular gun season. We saw nothing, except other hunters; no deer for me...

We got in a good dose of cardio walking all over the public wildlife area we opted for this day. After coming home, a hot shower and a bowl of cereal; my wife & I were back out hitting various stores to try and knock out more Christmas shopping. If I had to guess we're about 60% done which means we'll go back out for the rest next weekend.

When we got home Andrew & I played darts on last time for the weekend. He has finally improved enough where he wins 1/2 the time. Over the course of the weekend he has amassed two more wins than I had so he was on the verge of winning a weekend series for just the second time. Bang, bang, I won two games quick and the weekend series was tied at 12-12... one more had to be played and nothing should ever, never-ever, end in a tie; right? Perhaps I should have settled for the tie as he rocked me in the deciding game. Man, next weekend he is so mine!

Ok, that is it; my weekend wrap up. Good fun, good time unplugging, good to ready to go for a new week.

Are you ready for the new week? 

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 158 - My Towel, Mine!

Look what I got! Yep, the yoga towel that Jody hooked me up with via her recent give-away arrived.

It took only a day to get here. The company that shipped it for Jody was nearby in Indiana.

There you see the towel, sort of, it is it's wrapper.

You also see a bonus, a Full Bar, hmmm. Never tried one until yesterday.

Not bad, sort of like Captain Crunch squished into a bar.

Also a hand written Stciky-Note on it from Cheryl of Bottled Fitness congratulating me and wishing my enjoyment with my towel.

Ok, enjoy it I shall...

Well, I am trying to enjoy it. Which end goes up?

It doesn't come with instructions. Ah, a label...

Figured it out.

Right after getting untangled I went downstairs and hit the home gym, with my towel.

Ah Ha - it wipes away sweat. No, it sucks it up, fast!

This photo cracks me up, I look like I am about to fall asleep in that towel.

Certainly it is soft enough to sleep on.

Very nice towel Jody, Thanks again!

Ok - Fill in the blank: Wednesday is a good day to __________ ! To what?

For me this is a good day to go have some more of my cheek removed. Yeah, wish I didn't need that but as I shared yesterday it is needed and I am not waiting. So a morning of work and an afternoon with the plastic surgeon. I'll be in and out in an hour and on my way so no big deal procedure wise. Just want it done, healed and well, done.

When I awoke it seemed a fine day to strength train so I got in a great session with my dumbbell routine. Five sets of push ups & sit ups too. As noted abouve yesterday after work I also got in a session with the home gym. These sessions were closer together than I would have usually spaced them but for good reason. Just as it was two weeks ago when they removed the skin lesion I it will be again today; I'll need to take a week off of the weights. So four of the past five days I have hit them as hard as my heart could. Kind of like a squirrel storing nuts for winter. Yeah, I am guessing strength training doesn't quite work like that.

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 138 - Fit To KISS

Rain Rain Rain here yesterday. Didn't stop me from getting up early (430am) and getting in a work out on the home gym and busting out a bunch of sit ups & push ups. But it did wash out my plans to walk around Lake Andrea in the evening.

Oh well, I'm good so far on my planned exercise. Ate great again yesterday so I've got a groove going here. That said, I need to be sure I don't get comfortable or complacent. Seems when I do my guard falls and I tend to let temptation a bit closer than is safe.

This evening we go to the wedding rehearsal for our friends Eileen & Brian. It'll be fun, and easy for me; I am just there as the husband of a bridesmaid. Oh and a friend I suppose too :-) Looking forward to it, is it time to go yet? No, how about now?

In Sunday's post I spoke of being able to fit into 2XL shirt comfortably now. There it is in the picture, the one I picked up that day, it fits amazingly well, Oh Yeah! Sorry, couldn't help myself to an early Oh Yeah.

Yep, you are not seeing things. It is a retro KISS t-shirt exactly the same as the one I owned when I was a teenager. Well that one was probably an L, or XL at most, and this one is new, allot newer, like 30+ years newer. Oh, and you bet your sweet cheeks I am wearing this to the wedding rehearsal tonight.

KISS, still a big fan. Like many people, my favorite music is still what I enjoyed as a teen. Oh I listen to a bunch of stuff from the decades since too, in fact my favorite band, Chevelle, has only been at it about 10 years. KISS is more than just outstanding music to me, it's music holds a boat load of memories for me too.

Some of those memories are probably better left where they are, in my mind. But one memory I have of KISS is simply cool beyond cool. I am talking Grandma Cool. The year was 1977 and I had recently discovered KISS. Quickly I was not just a fan, I was a member of the KISS Army. But I didn't have one of their albums, everyone else did, but not me. I heard it everywhere but in my own home.

It didn't seem likely to happen any time soon either as I had asked my parents to buy me my favorite album, but they would not. Apparently I still owed them for the new baseball bat they bought me, details. When my Grandma Alma heard that I was into KISS she didn't do what many Grandma's would have, turn up their nose. Nope, she went to the record store to hear what they sounded like.

She thought they were terrible and would tell me "Grown men in make up ought to be in the circus," or something like that. Her opinions noted, and quickly dismissed, I still thought she was cool for having listened to them. But a minute later her coolness factor rose ten-fold when she handed me a brand-spanking-new copy of KISS' album "Rock and Roll Over", my favorite.

Those of you who know their KISS will recognise that album cover on my t-shirt there. So this shirt is not just cool because my getting healthier has allowed me to fit into it, it also brings back cool memories of my Grandma.

Thank You Grandma!

Come on, you must have a cool Grandma story, fess up!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 94 - Concentration Redux

Hope you enjoyed the riddle :-) Some excellent guesses you had. From cake, to car hoods & workout equipment to a fancy hanky. And perhaps My favorite, silver overalls - LOL. 

There you see the answer to yesterday's riddle: Bleachers.

Aluminum bleachers more specifically. I snapped these shots last week while watching my son play a soccer game. Why I took them at the time, who knows. Seems that I found a fun use for these useless photos however.

Good exercise day yesterday. Came home and got after the home gym routine. Felt good overall. Struggled a bit at first, figured I hadn't warmed up or got my mind right before I started. But after a few reps I was there. After dinner I wasn't interested in sitting still,certainly not watching television. Yep, you guessed it, I went for a walk.

Overall it was about 2.25-2.5 miles, just a walk through the sub-divisions without any real course in mind. My body was warm and ready from the earlier workout so I was walking at a good clip. As I came to the point where I knew I was exactly 1-mile from home I said why not, lets see if I can beat that best time set yesterday of 16:15 minutes. so as I came to the exact point I started the stop watch and kicked it into 5th gear.

Concentration, remember my posts on concentration? No, HERE they are, the first one was Day 75. My concentration was razor sharp on this walk. At one point I was focused on a parked car a hundred yards away, eyes locked on the shiny rear hub cap. Then, fifty yards to go, someone came out and started the car. Hey, that's my hub cap, I'm not done with it yet! I felt my steps extend just a bit more for a bit as kept that hub cap in sight until the car backed out and drove off.

My concentration fixed on a bicycle until I caught up to it; then on a tree a kid was climbing; then on the fire hydrant, and then on my garage door which is my finish line. It was seventy-five yards away, then fifty, then twenty, ten, done; 15:50 minutes! Setting a new PR by 25 seconds. Oh Yeah!

What are you concentrating on today?

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 62 - Cow on a Skateboard

FRIDAY, that's what today is in case you didn't know.

This weekend my wife & I are going out of town to attend a wedding for a buddy of mine from high school, Mark or 'Vish' as I've known him for nearly 30 years. Very happy to see my friend who I haven't seen in nearly 2 years; last time was at our 25th high school reunion in 2008. This is his 2nd time around with wedding knots so it is a low-key event. Low-key or not, the temptations will be abundant. Bar food everywhere, beer beer & more beer everywhere. You see, I have never been with this guy and not out drank him. Well, I won't out drink him this weekend; my wedding gift to him :-) I will survive this weekend!

Even away I'll try and make posts this weekend from my cell phone as best I can, I probably shouldn't guarantee I'll post though. As well I'll try and follow on with you if I can. And if I can't, I'll be back Monday to work and to blogging.

Exercise, I don't think I have talked much about exercise in my recent posts. Yes, I have been getting in my exercise, at least the minimum I've committed to; see my commitments here.

Monday this week I did my dumbbell routine and then did my 2 mile neighborhood walk. No exercise the past two days. Yesterday I went downstairs and got busy on my home gym routine. But, it didn't go so well. For some reason I couldn't get into a groove. With each rep, the form just wasn't happening, I felt as awkward as a cow on a skateboard.

After three of the ten exercises in my routine I was really struggling to do more than 3 or 4 reps without stopping for a breath. Sad! Looking to the ceiling, I considered going upstairs and trying again later.

Silent for too long the obese-michelin-man looking lessor-demon creature of my past sat up on my left shoulder & piped up. After a snort and chuckle, "Aint happenin, givin the pantry a workout is happenin though", he offered.

Silly suggestion, but, perhaps he has a point. Maybe I was zapped and needed an energy boost. So I scurried upstairs and grabbed a slice of water melon and gobbled that down like a coyote at a prime-rib buffet. Was that dumb? Eating a piece of fruit during a weekend hoping to get some fast energy to carry me through the workout?

Back in the basement, exercises four, five and six are forced; ugh just not feeling it. What is going on? "Have some more'n that watery melon, and a beer, huh, huh, how bout one?" the hungry-demon jabbed on.

Not wanting to give in I start exercise seven. But after the first set, I've had it with the bumbling display I was putting on for the Demon and gave in to him. Up the stairs I went to see what dinner would be tonight. Leftovers; one left over pork chop and fresh caesar salad for me. Dinner done, it was yummy, I eye up my recliner for it is time chill into the evening.

"Horse$#i%!!!!!", screams the healthy-alien inside me.

"Huh, where you been, playing chutes and ladders with my intestines?" I bark back.

Smiling to myself, I ask around for a walking buddy, but nobody is game. No problem, I am a big boy and can go outside alone. My 2 mile neighborhood walk here I come. Ipod on, check. Cell phone, check. Alien and Demon, um check. Off I went.

Bugs, bugs the whole way. That sucked, well the Demon found it funny; yeah I could hear him laughing. Before I knew it I get to the 1-mile turn, check the watch, hhmmm, 18:02, not great but not bad at all.

"You know if you do the second mile in the same time you'll get a new PR for this loop", states the Alien.

"Really?" I ask myself.

"Yeah, really, I can ADD!" exclaims the Alien.

"HaHaHa...", the Demon roars in eiree laughter, "It's called multi-ply-intation you Alien fool!", he fusses.

"Enough you two, Enough! Hold On." I announce.

Purpose found, pick'em up and set'em down. Groove found, Form happening; this cow was Rock'in that sidewalk. Ipod volume maxed, sweat giving into gravity, bugs; didn't even notice them still playing their irritating game.

That second mile came in at 17:09, a PR for a mile stretch, The loop came in at 35:12 - more than a minute faster than my previous best for another new PR. That called for a few fist-pumps in the drive way. Cool indeed - Way Cool, made up for that poor home gym workout earlier.

"Did it?" the Alien asks calmly.

"Ha, umpnh", the Demon tried to start up another laugh track but was quickly silenced by the Alien foot that found the inside of his mouth.

The next five minutes were all Alien. Watch, check. Ipod volume back to max, check. A starting line on the sidewalk found, check. Off I went.

Around the block I went, just a bit more exercise to be sure I redeemed myself for earlier. Not really sure how far it is around my block, certainly I will check the next time in the car. Regardless how far it may be, I got around it in 4:35, slow or fast who knows.

Heh heh...it was fast. I forgot to mention that Alien inspired extra block, he got me to JOG around the block.

It wasn't pretty, not even close. It wasn't easy, oh I came so close to stopping. But I made it around without stopping. First time I jogged in an embarassing large number of years.

Oh Yeah - I Rocked that last block, I Rocked that work out; I Rocked this day!!

If I don't get to blog this weekend  - you keep Rock'in all weekend!

Responsibility 199 - Gotta Do It!!

Day 21 - Hello Weekend

So who has plans for an awesome weekend? Certainly Mother's Day will see most have plans of some sort with family. Myself, Sunday is just a day at home as there are kids sports activities planned. Beyond lavishing my wife with some gifts Sunday will be fairly routine. Recall we celebrated our Mother's Day with a brunch last weekend for all the moms and grandmas; so glad no buffets this weekend.

Today I get my wife all to myself so we're going on a date. Dinner will be included, Cooper's Hawk, so there will be a bit of temptation to survive. But I am trying a technique I read somewhere he on blogger; go online and preview the menu before you go and decide on a healthy option to order. The idea is doing so lessens chances you will give into temptation's best shot at beating you, when you are at the table looking over the menu on a hungry gut surveying all of the many non-healthy options seducing you. Having look at the menu this morning I am going to order the Pistachio Crusted Grouper. Now I must admit, these technique does seem a bit rigid and may take a hint of fun out of dining out. While I have decided to try this I will listen to the specials the wait staff has to offer and compare them against my choice and then make the final decision. We'll see how it goes tonight.

What about exercise, who has exercise planned this weekend? Myself, I'll be working through a home-gym weight-workout today; actually soon after posting this. The past couple of days I have got in my cardio so not planning any today. Thursday I did a 2.2 mile / 41.5 minute walk and Friday I did 45 minutes on the elliptical. Sunday I might get some cardio in; I only say might as it is supposed to be a windy, cold, wet weekend here and I'd like to get outside for that cardio if I can. Where I'd really like to go for a walk is back to the forest preserve I walked in this past Thursday evening. This is a place nearby which I had never been to before. It was far larger than I expected and excellent for walks and runs of distances of a mile or two to five plus if you wish to make it one lap around this place. Weather permitting we will do so. Hmmm, I think you can call that a Non-Scale Victory; perhaps it's more of a discovery. However had I not decided to go on this mission I would likely have never gone to that preserve and discovered how cool it is. Yeah, I think I chalk it up as a NSV. No?

Sunday is weigh in day for me. Not expecting to have a let down today so I am hopeful to report a nice loss tomorrow. I'll be happy with anything at least 1.5 pounds less than last Sunday. That's my goal, 1.5 pounds a week minimum.

Have fun with your plans, your exercise, your day today!

Responsibility 199... Gotta Do It!!