We interrupt the silence with the following thoughts.
So, yeah. Blogging isn't hard, it just takes a few things.
1) Time
2) Commitment
3) Desire
4) Interesting Topic/Topics
Let's take a look at that list in order, shall we?
1) Time. I usually have plenty of time. After dinner and the evening chores are over with, there is not a lot on my plate usually. The last week was no exception. I had plenty of time to write, so that's not what kept me from writing.
2) Commitment. Even though my blog gets under 30 hits a day on a good day, I have been committed since February to writing something almost everyday, so my commitment to the blog is not based on readership, it's based on...
3) Desire. I enjoy writing normally. As Malia pointed out to me, just because I don't have a ton of people reading my posts, the goal was to write something and put it out there to keep myself honest about my daily life and struggle to lose weight. Which leads to...
4) Interesting Topic/Topics. My personal struggle with food and weight loss may be interesting to some, but not all, of my readers. My personal entertainment preferences may be interesting to others, but again, not all of my readers. I've tried to balance things out, but honestly, I'm just not that deep of a person. I have my interests, but there aren't many layers to this onion.
So, when I put out a call for what I should write about, the subject of Star Trek came up. Now, I'm not a Star Trek fan. I like some aspects of Star Trek, but it's never really been my cup of tea. When it comes to the shows, my favorite was Deep Space Nine. Best captain? Sisko. I liked the first movie by J.J. "More Lens Flare!" Abrams, but haven't seen the second one yet since I rarely get to the theater.
So, as I planned out my Star Trek blog entries, I went in with high expectations and failed to meet them. Hopefully my legion of readers aren't too upset. Really don't have much else to say on that topic. (Sorry, Matt!)
Between last post and this one I have found a new Internet distraction; John Green. If you aren't familiar with John Green and his brother Hank, here are a few places you can find them.
Nerdfighters
Mental Floss
Vlogbrothers
Crash Course
Big fan of these guys. You should check them out, as they are both Nerdy and Cool.
Being stressed about the end of the school year does not lead to the best eating habits, so I have maintained my 223-224 lbs for the past week. I figure once vacation starts, I will be in better shape. We'll see.
Anyone, thanks for reading! Take care!
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Star Trek TOS
Okay, so I am behind in my blogging on Star Trek already, but that's okay, because honestly, I don't have a whole lot to say about The Original Series.
To be honest I'm not a big fan of the Original Series TV shows. There were a couple decent things about it.
1)Mirror Universe Spock
To be honest I'm not a big fan of the Original Series TV shows. There were a couple decent things about it.
1)Mirror Universe Spock
Seriously. How cool does Spock look here?
2) Khan
Ricardo Montalbán as Khan. Cool episode, and I like how the best Star Trek TOS movie picks up on this thread years later.
3) Tribbles
Who doesn't like Tribbles?
So, really, not a huge fan of the show. It was okay, but honestly, I preferred the Next Generation series over the Original.
Since that was so short, lets hit the movies.
Anyone who knows the Star Trek TOS movies knows the deal with them.
I like to refer to the first movie as Star Trek, The Motionless Picture. Gah. So bad. The scene with them flying in the shuttle up to the Enterprise? Terrible.
Wrath of Khan? Arguably the best Star Trek movie of all time.
The Search for Spock? Probably the best of the odd numbered movies.
The Voyage Home was a fun time travel movie. Favorite scene was when Mr. Scott was trying to use a computer. Funny stuff.
The Final Frontier? Worse than The Motionless Picture. Pains me to even write about it.
The Undiscovered Country was okay, and a fitting end to the Original Series movies. I was glad that it went out on a better not than Final Frontier.
Favorite Character from the Original Series? This guy:
Tomorrow, I'll talk about the Next Generation.
So, work is winding down. Most groups I will only see once more, and then it's a week of planning for next year. May be subbing for one of my colleagues on the last day of school, but not sure yet. It would be cool, but I'll see what the boss says.
The gardens are looking nice for the most part. Water was an issue. Too much at some schools; not enough at others. Space was also an issue. The kids were pretty excited by it all though, so that's cool. It didn't go exactly as I wanted it to, but it's almost over so I can't complain.
Weight loss has been at a stand still since I got back from Grizzly Creek Ranch. I've maintained about 222 lbs since returning home.
I decided, without talking to my doctor, to try a little experiment. I went off my cholesterol meds and tried to control it by diet and exercise alone. Well, that apparently failed, as she wants to see me about my blood work that I just had done. Sigh. Now I get to go explain myself. I was really hoping that would work, but apparently not so much. I'm frustrated because I thought for sure I would be successful. Guess not. Dang.
Hopefully, I get my results in the mail by Monday so I can start by new journal. Time to get things back under control and start another 90 day plan. Wish me luck!
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Chores
Hey all, hope you've had a great day. Mine was a bit busier than I thought it would be.
First off, I just want to say that I love my Tuesday school. They are truly a delightful group of teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, students, you name it. My one complaint is that they have too much food around on Tuesdays! Every Tuesday is their big meeting day and someone always brings snacks. Those snacks end up in my teaching space, the Teachers' Lounge.
Today's treats was Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. Oh my. I tried. I really tried. I ignored it for about 30 minutes, but then half a slice became a whole slice, which then became two slices. Then there was the bowl of Hershey's Kisses and the Reese's Peanut Butter things.
Sigh...needless to say, today was not a great day for eating. Oh, and no sixth graders again today. That's four weeks in a row I haven't seen that group. Two were my fault, but the other two were for a field trip and then testing. Maybe I will get to say goodbye to them next week!
Oh well! We got a dozen more plants in the ground and another birdhouse in the tree. Overall, I am pretty happy with what we have been able to do at the 4 schools. I know it wasn't much at some of them, but I had several compliments about how nice things look. Apparently, I have created a monster that I will need to take care of every year!
Got home and decided after the dog had escaped from the backyard again, that it was time to fix the gates. Both the gate to the dog run and the yard were broken, so first I tore apart the gate to the fence and rebuilt it. Honestly, I should have gotten new wood and redone it, but for what it is, it looks okay. The gate to the dog run just needed to be adjusted and put together correctly. Both jobs together took about 3 hours to complete.
I have neglected the lawn as well, so I decided I better mow it before the HOA complains. So, at about 8:40, I started mowing. I was done by 9:00, but I have no idea how it looks since by the time I was done, it was too dark to see. Luckily, I didn't find any rocks in the yard!
After that, I got tomorrow nights dinner ready to put in the crockpot tomorrow morning and cleaned the kitchen. Not much time to sit down tonight. Didn't get any of oldest boy's schoolwork checked in, but he only has 7 more assignments to do before the end of the year, so I am not too concerned about it!
With that, I'll bring up the topic of my next few nights blog posts as suggested by my friend, Matt: Star Trek. First off, I have to say I am not a Trekkie. I enjoy many things about Star Trek, but it is not my go to Sci-Fi show. I thought Babylon 5 was a much better show than any Star Trek series, with maybe the exception for Deep Space 9.
Anyway, I will share my opinions of the shows and movies in the following manner:
Wednesday: Star Trek, The Original Series
Thursday: Star Trek, The Original Series Movies
Friday: Star Trek, The Next Generation Series
Saturday: Star Trek, The Next Generation Movies
Sunday: Star Trek, Deep Space Nine
Monday: Star Trek, Voyager
Tuesday: Star Trek, Enterprise
Wednesday: Star Trek, J.J. Abrams Universe
Food Diary for Tuesday the 21st of May
Breakfast: 2 eggs, over easy, fried in Kerrygold Butter
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: 2 slices of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
5 Hershey's Kisses
2 Reese's Peanut Butter candies
Lunch: Nothing
PM Snack: 2 slices of Canadian Bacon
1 oz of Dubliner Cheese
Dinner: Pastrami Salmon (Salmon in a Pastrami like brine)
Big Ol' Salad w/Blood Orange and Black Currant Balsamic Vinaigrette
Water: About 60 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Light Gardening
Home repair
Lawn Mowing
First off, I just want to say that I love my Tuesday school. They are truly a delightful group of teachers, administrators, support staff, parents, students, you name it. My one complaint is that they have too much food around on Tuesdays! Every Tuesday is their big meeting day and someone always brings snacks. Those snacks end up in my teaching space, the Teachers' Lounge.
Today's treats was Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread. Oh my. I tried. I really tried. I ignored it for about 30 minutes, but then half a slice became a whole slice, which then became two slices. Then there was the bowl of Hershey's Kisses and the Reese's Peanut Butter things.
Sigh...needless to say, today was not a great day for eating. Oh, and no sixth graders again today. That's four weeks in a row I haven't seen that group. Two were my fault, but the other two were for a field trip and then testing. Maybe I will get to say goodbye to them next week!
Oh well! We got a dozen more plants in the ground and another birdhouse in the tree. Overall, I am pretty happy with what we have been able to do at the 4 schools. I know it wasn't much at some of them, but I had several compliments about how nice things look. Apparently, I have created a monster that I will need to take care of every year!
Got home and decided after the dog had escaped from the backyard again, that it was time to fix the gates. Both the gate to the dog run and the yard were broken, so first I tore apart the gate to the fence and rebuilt it. Honestly, I should have gotten new wood and redone it, but for what it is, it looks okay. The gate to the dog run just needed to be adjusted and put together correctly. Both jobs together took about 3 hours to complete.
I have neglected the lawn as well, so I decided I better mow it before the HOA complains. So, at about 8:40, I started mowing. I was done by 9:00, but I have no idea how it looks since by the time I was done, it was too dark to see. Luckily, I didn't find any rocks in the yard!
After that, I got tomorrow nights dinner ready to put in the crockpot tomorrow morning and cleaned the kitchen. Not much time to sit down tonight. Didn't get any of oldest boy's schoolwork checked in, but he only has 7 more assignments to do before the end of the year, so I am not too concerned about it!
With that, I'll bring up the topic of my next few nights blog posts as suggested by my friend, Matt: Star Trek. First off, I have to say I am not a Trekkie. I enjoy many things about Star Trek, but it is not my go to Sci-Fi show. I thought Babylon 5 was a much better show than any Star Trek series, with maybe the exception for Deep Space 9.
Anyway, I will share my opinions of the shows and movies in the following manner:
Wednesday: Star Trek, The Original Series
Thursday: Star Trek, The Original Series Movies
Friday: Star Trek, The Next Generation Series
Saturday: Star Trek, The Next Generation Movies
Sunday: Star Trek, Deep Space Nine
Monday: Star Trek, Voyager
Tuesday: Star Trek, Enterprise
Wednesday: Star Trek, J.J. Abrams Universe
Food Diary for Tuesday the 21st of May
Breakfast: 2 eggs, over easy, fried in Kerrygold Butter
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: 2 slices of Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread
5 Hershey's Kisses
2 Reese's Peanut Butter candies
Lunch: Nothing
PM Snack: 2 slices of Canadian Bacon
1 oz of Dubliner Cheese
Dinner: Pastrami Salmon (Salmon in a Pastrami like brine)
Big Ol' Salad w/Blood Orange and Black Currant Balsamic Vinaigrette
Water: About 60 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Light Gardening
Home repair
Lawn Mowing
Ok, as Judge John Hodgman would say, "That is all!"
Monday, May 20, 2013
Monday, Monday
Another Monday in the books.
Started off we me and the oldest boy in the doctor's office. Me with a wonky elbow and him with a wonky knee. Tennis elbow for me, "tennis knee" for him. Ice and Naproxen for both of us. If his doesn't get better, it's physical therapy. If mine doesn't get better? Cortisone shot.
Personally, I am a big fan of Cortisone shots. Had one about 5 years ago that drastically changed my health and well being. (Thanks Dr. McClish!) Hopefully, it won't come to that, but if it does, so be it.
Then it was off to work where I boxed up my classroom. 5 boxes with of books and files. Not much really. Kind of sad and pathetic, really. Oh well. It didn't take long.
Planted two more butterfly bushes, hung 12 bird feeders, and helped bury 3 terra cotta pots for reptile homes. All in all a good day!
Meeting after school that didn't get much out of, except hints about what I am doing next year. Looks like probably the same thing as this year. I'm mostly cool with that. It's a lot of kids, but oh well. I've got a sweet job!
Picked up my new brace for my elbow and the prescriptions and rushed home to make dinner. Zucchini Pizza Boats. Turned out pretty good, actually! Got dinner for tomorrow night started. Pastrami Salmon (Salmon in a pastrami like brine). Should be interesting.
Schoolwork done with the boy. His school year is just about over. He has about 8 more assignments due by 5/29. I think he'll get them done! Then it's figuring out how to keep him busy until the rest of us are out of school on 6/6.
Food Diary for Monday the 20th of May
Breakfast: 2 eggs, over easy, fried in Kerrygold Butter
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: Nothing
PM Snack: 10 Macadamias
2 squares of Lindt 88% Cacao Bar
Dinner: Zucchini Pizza Boats
Water: About 50 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Light Gardening
Started off we me and the oldest boy in the doctor's office. Me with a wonky elbow and him with a wonky knee. Tennis elbow for me, "tennis knee" for him. Ice and Naproxen for both of us. If his doesn't get better, it's physical therapy. If mine doesn't get better? Cortisone shot.
Personally, I am a big fan of Cortisone shots. Had one about 5 years ago that drastically changed my health and well being. (Thanks Dr. McClish!) Hopefully, it won't come to that, but if it does, so be it.
Then it was off to work where I boxed up my classroom. 5 boxes with of books and files. Not much really. Kind of sad and pathetic, really. Oh well. It didn't take long.
Planted two more butterfly bushes, hung 12 bird feeders, and helped bury 3 terra cotta pots for reptile homes. All in all a good day!
Meeting after school that didn't get much out of, except hints about what I am doing next year. Looks like probably the same thing as this year. I'm mostly cool with that. It's a lot of kids, but oh well. I've got a sweet job!
Picked up my new brace for my elbow and the prescriptions and rushed home to make dinner. Zucchini Pizza Boats. Turned out pretty good, actually! Got dinner for tomorrow night started. Pastrami Salmon (Salmon in a pastrami like brine). Should be interesting.
Schoolwork done with the boy. His school year is just about over. He has about 8 more assignments due by 5/29. I think he'll get them done! Then it's figuring out how to keep him busy until the rest of us are out of school on 6/6.
Food Diary for Monday the 20th of May
Breakfast: 2 eggs, over easy, fried in Kerrygold Butter
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: Nothing
PM Snack: 10 Macadamias
2 squares of Lindt 88% Cacao Bar
Dinner: Zucchini Pizza Boats
Water: About 50 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Light Gardening
Hopefully you had a great day.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Chicken Run
Short blog post tonight. I'm too tired to post much.
I spent the entire day today either shopping for parts or building the chicken run. As with all projects, it seems that giving a blood sacrifice is important to finishing it. So, this picture shows the largest contribution of blood to the project.
Yeah, it stings.
I had just cut the final link in the chain and realized a split second too late that it was going to spring back at me. Ouch. I have several smaller scratches on other parts of my body. I'm basically scratched from head to toe.
However, here is the completed chicken run.
Made entirely of PVC, hardware cloth, and zip ties.
Still need to figure out the best way to get the door working. I think we are going to paint it as well. Plus, I still need to cut off the sharp edges. Otherwise, it's good to go!
Noah and his friend helped snip off the excess on the zip ties, which was a big help, as I was really sore by this point.
We brought the chickens out to run around for a few minutes. They took a bit of time to get moving around, but once they got the hang of it, they were pecking and scratching away. That is when they weren't roosting on Noah's friend!
Weight still hovering in the 222 lb mark, which I am happy with, especially after yesterday.
Food Diary for Sunday, May 19th:
Breakfast: 2 Eggs, Scrambled w/Sausage and Sweet Potato Hash
12.5 oz of Coffee w/Kal Stevia Sweetener
Lunch: 4 slices of Canadian Bacon w/ 2 oz of Dubliner Cheese
Small Salad w/Balsamic Vinaigrette
PM Snack: 2 Squares 88% Cacao Bar
10 Macadamia Nuts
12.5 oz of Coffee w/Kal Stevia Sweetener
Dinner: 2 Hamburgers w/ Dubliner Cheese
Big Ol' Salad w/ Mustard
Water: About 60 oz
Sleep: About 8 hours
Exercise: Building the chicken run
That's it for tonight! Later!
Saturday, May 18, 2013
On the road blog
Yesterday was another fun filled day of working in the school garden. This public service project is crazy. The kids are enjoying it. The staff love that the garden is looking better. I feel like I had to dump so much of the academics to get the project done that I've lost a bit of academic integrity. Oh well. The kids are learning a few valuable skills and giving back to the world, so that's good.
Food choices were good for the most part this week. I did break down and eat one piece of pizza last night. I was tired and weak. Should have just gone to bed, but tried to get the house cleaned up and it was sitting there calling my name.
Next week starts a new phase in the lifestyle change. Taking a 90 day challenge via the Primal Blueprint Journal. Need to get blood work done to get a baseline. Talk to the doctor and see if they can order it.
Need to refocus the efforts over the summer, so this is a good time to mix it up.
Currently on a bus with a bunch of middle schoolers for a band field trip. Good times. At least I am not in charge. I'm pretty sure the teacher let me come along to just keep an eye on Noah since the only thing I have to do is keep an eye on Noah.
Going to try a fasting day today. I don't like my food options for today, so I'll just go without.
Food Diary for Friday 17th of May
Breakfast: Pork Sausage and Sweet Potato Hash w/ 2 eggs over easy
Lunch: Big ol' Salad w/yellow mustard
2 US Wellness Beef Hot Dogs
PM Snack: 2 squares of 88% Cacao Dark Chocolate
10 Macadamias
Dinner: 1 "Delmonico" Steak w/caramelized onions and mushrooms
1 slice Papa Murphy's cheese pizza with white sauce
Water: 70 oz or so
Exercise: walking dog
Heavy gardening
Ok, that's it for now. Hope it's a good day for you.
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Tired
Very tired today, so another short blog. Still need to ride the bike before bed.
Phew! Today was a crazy day. Cloudy, windy, and cold. I dug 7 big holes for plants in the garden at school. Helped plant a dozen flowers or more. Watched a group of 5th grade girls play with nightcrawlers. It was fascinating watching them. I'd post pictures, but I don't have permission. Needless to say, some the girls were grossed out and the others were having fun with them. I'm not squeamish, but worms are icky! May explain why I am not the fisherman of the house! (Nah, I don't really mind worms. I'm just kidding!)
Anyway, good day today, even if I did lose a bunch of my students to a schoolwide activity. We got a lot done, and the new plants really add to the garden, I think. Time will tell of course.
Another week, another new episode of Tabletop. This is probably my favorite thing about the Internet these days. It's a great show, and while I don't always get every game played on the show, I must admit I own a fair share of them.
Food Diary for Thursday the 16th of May
Breakfast: 2 fried eggs
2 100% Grass fed beef Polish Sausage Sliders
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Organic 1/2 and 1/2
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 2 pieces (1 thigh and 1 leg) Sweet and Sour Split Roasted Chicken
Big Ol' Salad w/ Blood Orange and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
PM Snack: 15 Macadamia Nuts
2 squares of 88% Ghirardelli Cacao Bar
Venti, Triple, Heavy Cream, Sugar Free Mocha
Dinner: Fajita seasoned chicken, green peppers and onions served over
Passilo Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Water: About 70 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Walking the dog
Light Gardening
30 minutes of Bike riding
Phew! Today was a crazy day. Cloudy, windy, and cold. I dug 7 big holes for plants in the garden at school. Helped plant a dozen flowers or more. Watched a group of 5th grade girls play with nightcrawlers. It was fascinating watching them. I'd post pictures, but I don't have permission. Needless to say, some the girls were grossed out and the others were having fun with them. I'm not squeamish, but worms are icky! May explain why I am not the fisherman of the house! (Nah, I don't really mind worms. I'm just kidding!)
Anyway, good day today, even if I did lose a bunch of my students to a schoolwide activity. We got a lot done, and the new plants really add to the garden, I think. Time will tell of course.
Another week, another new episode of Tabletop. This is probably my favorite thing about the Internet these days. It's a great show, and while I don't always get every game played on the show, I must admit I own a fair share of them.
...and I bought this one. Looks awesome, and I know the boys will love it! Really have to get our game nights going again. I've gotten a lot of great games that we need to play, King of Tokyo, Formula D, Forbidden Island, just to name a few. Some I bought that they boys might be getting close to being ready to play include Pandemic and Munchkin. The recommended age is 10 and up for both, but some of the content, especially in Munchkin seems a bit mature of 10 year olds.
Anyway, as Wil would say, "Play more games!"
Breakfast: 2 fried eggs
2 100% Grass fed beef Polish Sausage Sliders
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Organic 1/2 and 1/2
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 2 pieces (1 thigh and 1 leg) Sweet and Sour Split Roasted Chicken
Big Ol' Salad w/ Blood Orange and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
PM Snack: 15 Macadamia Nuts
2 squares of 88% Ghirardelli Cacao Bar
Venti, Triple, Heavy Cream, Sugar Free Mocha
Dinner: Fajita seasoned chicken, green peppers and onions served over
Passilo Roasted Sweet Potatoes
Water: About 70 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Walking the dog
Light Gardening
30 minutes of Bike riding
Good night, all!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Back on Track
Okay, going to try to get things back under control, so a short blog post so I can go lift weights and get to bed by 10 PM.
Life has been chaotic lately. If you have been following my blog you can tell I haven't been my usual self. Time to take control back. That starts with working out again. In the past, I'd always say that exercising didn't really do much for me and that it was a waste of time. I've gotta say, though, now that I look at my body in the mirror, I am seeing muscles that weren't there before.
I'm not "buff" or "ripped" or "cut" by any definition of the words, but I am seeing some "definition", especially in my biceps. Yesterday in class, I stretched both arms behind my head and one of my students said, "Whoa! Check out Mr. Walter's muscles!" I laughed it off, but later looked in the mirror to see for myself!
So, time to get back at it. I know at this point, there is no way I will be 200 lbs by June 11th. It's unfortunate, but a reality nonetheless. Maybe 215 if I work at it. That's about 8 lbs in the next 4 weeks. Impossible? Maybe, but it's a goal!
Current weight as referenced above is 223. Blargh. But it is what it is. That's still 31 pounds lighter than I was in February and 37 from maximum density last year!
Food Diary for Wednesday the 15th of May
Breakfast: 2 Eggs, fried in bacon grease
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Organic 1/2 and 1/2
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 2 US Wellness Garlic Beef Hot Dogs
Big Ol' Salad w/ Yellow Mustard
1 fun sized Snickers Bar (Grrr! Why do people keep giving me candy?!?! Luckily, I didn't eat the box of M & M's!)
PM Snack: 10 Macadamia Nuts
2 squares of 88% Ghirardelli Cacao Bar
Dinner: Paleo Fish "Sticks" (Chunks of Tilapia rolled in crushed macadamias and coconut and spices)
Big Ol' Salad w/ Blood Orange and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Trader Joe's Organic 1/2 and 1/2
Water: About 70 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Walking the dog
Light Gardening
Abs Diet Wednesday Original Circuit
Night all!
Life has been chaotic lately. If you have been following my blog you can tell I haven't been my usual self. Time to take control back. That starts with working out again. In the past, I'd always say that exercising didn't really do much for me and that it was a waste of time. I've gotta say, though, now that I look at my body in the mirror, I am seeing muscles that weren't there before.
I'm not "buff" or "ripped" or "cut" by any definition of the words, but I am seeing some "definition", especially in my biceps. Yesterday in class, I stretched both arms behind my head and one of my students said, "Whoa! Check out Mr. Walter's muscles!" I laughed it off, but later looked in the mirror to see for myself!
So, time to get back at it. I know at this point, there is no way I will be 200 lbs by June 11th. It's unfortunate, but a reality nonetheless. Maybe 215 if I work at it. That's about 8 lbs in the next 4 weeks. Impossible? Maybe, but it's a goal!
Current weight as referenced above is 223. Blargh. But it is what it is. That's still 31 pounds lighter than I was in February and 37 from maximum density last year!
Food Diary for Wednesday the 15th of May
Breakfast: 2 Eggs, fried in bacon grease
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Organic 1/2 and 1/2
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 2 US Wellness Garlic Beef Hot Dogs
Big Ol' Salad w/ Yellow Mustard
1 fun sized Snickers Bar (Grrr! Why do people keep giving me candy?!?! Luckily, I didn't eat the box of M & M's!)
PM Snack: 10 Macadamia Nuts
2 squares of 88% Ghirardelli Cacao Bar
Dinner: Paleo Fish "Sticks" (Chunks of Tilapia rolled in crushed macadamias and coconut and spices)
Big Ol' Salad w/ Blood Orange and Pomegranate Vinaigrette
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Trader Joe's Organic 1/2 and 1/2
Water: About 70 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Walking the dog
Light Gardening
Abs Diet Wednesday Original Circuit
Night all!
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Some Days the Dragon Wins
A long time ago a lady I worked with named Kelly saw I was down in the dumps and gave me a picture that said "Some days, the Dragon Wins" and had a picture of a knight trudging off, looking burnt and dejected. That's pretty much how I've felt for awhile now, as I posted this morning.
This picture is a bit more modern version of the one Kelly gave me, but it still fits:
Food Diary for Tuesday the 14th of May
Breakfast: Sweet Potato, Canadian Bacon, and Egg Scramble w/Dubliner Cheese
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 2 US Wellness Garlic Beef Hot Dogs
Big Ol' Salad w/ Yellow Mustard
3 Mint Hershey's Kisses
PM Snack: 15 slices of Pepperoni
1.5 oz of Dubliner Cheese
Dinner: Sweet and Sour Roasted Chicken (Primal Cravings Cookbook)
Big Ol' Salad
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Trader Joe's Organic Heavy Cream
Water: About 60 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Light Gardening
That's all for today! Don't forget to be awesome!
This picture is a bit more modern version of the one Kelly gave me, but it still fits:
However, I modified that drawing and added the words, "...but not today!" It was my way of fighting the dragon back. The dragon became a metaphor for all the problems in my life, and I still use it from time to time almost 20 years later.
Why am I talking about this now? Eh...today the Dragon and I tied. We both walked away from the day a bit roughed up, but neither getting a distinct advantage. Still feeling all the same things I was feeling this morning, but work went fairly well and I feel I got a lot accomplished with my morning group. We hung up 2 bird houses and 15 pine cone bird feeders. The afternoon group? Well, lets just say of the 24 kids I have in that group, I started with 3 for the first hour and ended up with about 10 before recess time. We planted about half a dozen flowers for the school today.
The service project portion of this unit went well. The academic portion, less so. It was hard to squeeze it all in and still get the projects done, so I had to sacrifice some of the academics. Next year's curriculum should be better organized and I will get the best of both worlds.
Picked up some more olive oil and balsamic vinegar from my favorite Olive Oil place. Today was Blood Orange Fused Olive Oil and Pomegranate Balsamic Vinegar.
Today I got my first pair of Vibram Fivefingers shoes. Malia got them for me for my birthday, but I gave her the wrong size so we had to return them. The new ones came today.
Gotta say, they are kind of weird. The whole separating the toes thing feels strange. I really like being barefoot, but hate stepping on sharp, pointy things! We shall see how it goes. Should be good once I get used to them.
Breakfast: Sweet Potato, Canadian Bacon, and Egg Scramble w/Dubliner Cheese
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: Nothing
Lunch: 2 US Wellness Garlic Beef Hot Dogs
Big Ol' Salad w/ Yellow Mustard
3 Mint Hershey's Kisses
PM Snack: 15 slices of Pepperoni
1.5 oz of Dubliner Cheese
Dinner: Sweet and Sour Roasted Chicken (Primal Cravings Cookbook)
Big Ol' Salad
12.5 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener and Trader Joe's Organic Heavy Cream
Water: About 60 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Exercise: Normal walking around
Light Gardening
Blah-g
So, been feeling a bit blah again. Seems like that happens way too often. I like to think of myself as someone who tries to maintain a middle of the road personality, but in reality, I go to extremes with my attitude. Never to high or low? Not so much.
I hate that this blog has turned into a whine fest at least once a week now. The weight has gone back up again as soon as I got home. 3 days away helped to shed some of that weight I had been stubbornly been holding on to. However, I get home and start cramming my face full of food. It started off with the oldest boy leaving cookie dough in the fridge. In an attempt to avoid eating that, I started eating anything else around the house that I could eat, until I finally broke down and ate some of the cookie dough.
Then, there was the Bundt Cake Mishap of 2013. I did avoid the Chocolate Chip Cookie of Doom and the Russell Stovers Candy Monster, but then was up late and ate 2 handfuls of macadamias and an entire 88% Cacao bar. Sunday rolled around and breakfast included country potatoes.
Last night I was feeling uninspired, so I made spaghetti with the Quinoa/Corn Pasta for dinner. Sadly, I tried a new sauce that had zero flavor to it, but was totally organic. I ate more than I should have before going out and working on the chicken run. I was achy by the time it got too dark to keep working so I came in and helped the oldest boy get schoolwork done. By then it was 10 and I hadn't had a chance to unwind from the day, so I stayed up late.
This triggered the boredom eating response, so I avoided the cookie dough for awhile and ate the rest of the blah-ghetti and washed it down with the last Diet Cream Soda that had been haunting the fridge for 3 months.
I tried playing some of the new game, Neverwinter Nights. Seems like it could be fun, but not really sure yet.
Finally hit the sofa to watch a couple episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoon before passing out.
Nervous about what today is going to bring, because today's school is going to be missing a bunch of kids and I haven't seen them in two weeks, so who knows if they have remembered to bring their stuff for the project. Plus, I am not sure exactly where we will be planting, since the water is turned off to the area I had planned on using.
Lets see. Stress? Check. Lack of sleep? Check. Bad eating choices and times? Check. Needless to say the weight has crept back up to around 224.2 after being down to 220.8.
Blah.
Food Diary for Monday 13th of May
Breakfast: 2 eggs, fried in bacon grease
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
10 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: Part of a Large Primal Pac
Lunch: The rest of the Large Primal Pac
PM Snack: 10 Macadamia Nuts
4 squares of Ghirardelli 88% Cacao Bar
1 US Wellness Beef Stick
2 oz Dubliner Cheese
Pinch of mint chocolate cookie dough
Dinner: Blah-ghetti (Quinoa/Corn Pasta, ground beef, awful spaghetti sauce)
After dinner boredom eating: Leftover Blah-ghetti
1 can of Shasta Diet Cream Soda
15 macadamias
2 squares of Ghirardelli 88% Cacao Bar
Water: About 70 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Today is a new day. So hopefully its a better one! Going to pick up some more olive oil and balsamic after work and enjoy (hopefully) a hockey game. Maybe even get the chicken run done tonight!
I hate that this blog has turned into a whine fest at least once a week now. The weight has gone back up again as soon as I got home. 3 days away helped to shed some of that weight I had been stubbornly been holding on to. However, I get home and start cramming my face full of food. It started off with the oldest boy leaving cookie dough in the fridge. In an attempt to avoid eating that, I started eating anything else around the house that I could eat, until I finally broke down and ate some of the cookie dough.
Then, there was the Bundt Cake Mishap of 2013. I did avoid the Chocolate Chip Cookie of Doom and the Russell Stovers Candy Monster, but then was up late and ate 2 handfuls of macadamias and an entire 88% Cacao bar. Sunday rolled around and breakfast included country potatoes.
Last night I was feeling uninspired, so I made spaghetti with the Quinoa/Corn Pasta for dinner. Sadly, I tried a new sauce that had zero flavor to it, but was totally organic. I ate more than I should have before going out and working on the chicken run. I was achy by the time it got too dark to keep working so I came in and helped the oldest boy get schoolwork done. By then it was 10 and I hadn't had a chance to unwind from the day, so I stayed up late.
This triggered the boredom eating response, so I avoided the cookie dough for awhile and ate the rest of the blah-ghetti and washed it down with the last Diet Cream Soda that had been haunting the fridge for 3 months.
I tried playing some of the new game, Neverwinter Nights. Seems like it could be fun, but not really sure yet.
Finally hit the sofa to watch a couple episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars cartoon before passing out.
Nervous about what today is going to bring, because today's school is going to be missing a bunch of kids and I haven't seen them in two weeks, so who knows if they have remembered to bring their stuff for the project. Plus, I am not sure exactly where we will be planting, since the water is turned off to the area I had planned on using.
Lets see. Stress? Check. Lack of sleep? Check. Bad eating choices and times? Check. Needless to say the weight has crept back up to around 224.2 after being down to 220.8.
Blah.
Food Diary for Monday 13th of May
Breakfast: 2 eggs, fried in bacon grease
2 slices of Canadian Bacon
10 oz of Coffee with Kal Stevia Sweetener
AM Snack: Part of a Large Primal Pac
Lunch: The rest of the Large Primal Pac
PM Snack: 10 Macadamia Nuts
4 squares of Ghirardelli 88% Cacao Bar
1 US Wellness Beef Stick
2 oz Dubliner Cheese
Pinch of mint chocolate cookie dough
Dinner: Blah-ghetti (Quinoa/Corn Pasta, ground beef, awful spaghetti sauce)
After dinner boredom eating: Leftover Blah-ghetti
1 can of Shasta Diet Cream Soda
15 macadamias
2 squares of Ghirardelli 88% Cacao Bar
Water: About 70 oz
Sleep: about 6 hours of sleep
Today is a new day. So hopefully its a better one! Going to pick up some more olive oil and balsamic after work and enjoy (hopefully) a hockey game. Maybe even get the chicken run done tonight!
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