365 Days and Counting

The day started out a little out of whack.  I enjoyed some grapes in the morning and my omelet and finally headed for Mission Beach for my walk, but as I reached Sea World, Cindy called saying the woman in Space 136 was upset about her water being turned off and wanted to know where to turn it back on (or something to that effect). I made a U-turn and headed back to the park where I spoke with her for a while and everything seemed okay.  I decided to walk here in Santee, so I went to Santee Lakes and around four of the lakes and returned and to my surprise, it was 12+ K, so I did manage to get my steps in.  I had to stop twice to rub my left foot out.  At least I now know that if I do that, I can manage to finish my walk now.  Why is the big question. The rest of the day was watching baseball and other stuff.  I really need to find something else to do in the afternoons and early evenings that get me off the chairs.  I'm nervously anticipating tomo...

My steps today were done locally.  I discovered the park at the San Diego river and went through the trail and ended up at Walmart and then walked down through the shopping centers and with the returned did manage my 10 K steps for the day.  I went to Costco and got food for the next week or so and then to Sprouts where on my walk discovered they had frozen broccoli packages at 4 for $5.  I bought them along with some grapes and salad.  After getting home, I steamed the broccoli, which only has 125 calories in the entire bag and put my popcorn salt on it for taste and was very good.  It appears I have discovered something nutritious and low calories for when I feeling I need a snack.  I will add this as a staple to my food repertoire.  I did go through ALL my pants and t-shirts discarding many and categorizing the rest by size.  I am not a 42 waist (down from a tight 46), and my goal is to be wearing the 40-inches shorts my June 1 and the 38...

Woke up early so only had 5 hours sleep, but it's all good.  Had breakfast with Terry and Louise, excellent veggie omelet.  Cindy couldn't join us but we did visit for a bit. I got them to the airport in plenty of time after checking out the neighborhood pickleball courts.  I went to the Kissing Statue/ Midway and parked and walked the whole Seaport Village area and it seemed making the the 10 K for the day a breeze.  It was perfect weather.  I am NOT looking forward to the summer and having to deal with the heat on these walks, but I'll manage. Dinner at my parents was good thought the food was not great for my diet. I was tired and slept from 6 PM to 10 PM, did my security check and slept until 6:30.  Wow, twelve hours. Food intake: omelet and fruit (300); salad (500); dinner - meat, gravy, mashed potatoes, beans (2000). These are over-estimates, but better over than under.

Trash pick up went well as we finished at 8:40.  I asked Cindy if I could go to Vegas on the 10th and she said okay.  With the trash and handing out all of the monthly news letters, all I needed was another couple of thousand steps and did that throughout the day. I cleaned up the home as I was picking up Terry and Louise at the airport tonight.  Their flight was an hour late but we got home by 1 AM. Food intake: chicken nuggets (500);  chicken salad (500).

It was a good day for diet.  I managed my 10 K steps and I ate less than a thousand calories, all along not feeling hungry or deprived.  I did my walk this time on Balboa Ave and Clairemont Mesa Blvd.  Interestingly, I walked right past Tom, from book club as he was walking out of his office.  It was a crazy coincidence.  We talked for a little while and it was off again.  I did jog some along the route as I mostly just looked at different store fronts and small businesses. What shocked me the most were how many small Vietnamese and Korean restaurants, almost all selling the same thing.  I did my walk around lunch time and it was interesting to see that some were almost full of customers and others were completely empty or close to it.  How all these little places stay in business is a mystery especially when I think that all sell fish and shell fish, which can only last so long. I also went again into the two Asian markets.  It is fasc...

After buying gas at the Costco in Mission Valley, I headed to Mission Beach.  I began my walk and before reaching Balboa St., I had to turn around.  With the wind blowing, it was simply too cold this morning.  Knowing full well, I'll be coming here almost daily in the summer, I chose to come back home.  Unfortunately, I got stuck in traffic by SDSU when all lanes were forced into just one because of a multi-car crash.  However, I did manage to get home.  I then chose to finish my 10 K by walking the circle from my house to Cuyamaca and then to the park.  It turns out to be just over 9 K, so I will need to add to that route if I want to do a full days walk.  It's nice to be able to try different destinations all the time.  I love  being retired. At 67, I am noticing subtle changes along with the white beard and hair.  My hands are more and more looking haggard and wrinkled--like an old man.  That's okay, I'm just now noticin...

It was Mission Beach in the morning so getting the 12 K for the day was easy.  As I've mentioned before, this is the preferred way to get my steps in than anywhere else.  The weekends are always so much busier than than week days, but that just gives me more to watch.  I sent back the Amazon toilet booster that turned out to be a bust.  It cost me $35 to send it back and it only cost $60 to begin with.  I may have screwed that up myself because I think I may have misunderstood the clerk and I didn't check UPS or FEDEX.  I'll just take the hit for that. Food intake: banana and grapes (150); chicken salad (350); chicken nuggets (500).

Rough day at the gym.  After just over 45 minutes, my left foot nerve began acting up so I switched over to the bike.  For whatever reason, I just don't like the bike and quit that not even finishing 20 minutes.  I suppose there are going to be good days and bad. I only had 6800 steps so later I walked the circle around the block and finished with 12 K.  My foot didn't bother be the whole time...go figure. Food intake: banana (100); chicken breasts (410); broccoli and beef (400); BBQ chicken (300).  The wasted days of TV is eating at me.  Perhaps I need to find something to do in the early evenings.  I just am not sure.  I could also just be a phase. 

It was cloudy and rain expected so I went to the gym and did my entire 10 K on the treadmill and bike.  I kept the food under the daily limit because of yesterday's meal at the folks. I didn't do much today except some computer things and TV.  I have decided that though it will likely be a hassle, I am going to begin my two-a-days in April and I am going to try swimming.  I'm not truly sure how that will work out, but I think I need to at least give it a shot.  I'm still toying with the idea of going back to pickleball in the summer.  I simply don't know. Food intake: grapes (100); salad (350); popcorn (500); chicken nuggets (500).

I did the Mission Beach and things went well.  The jogging was more than before, but I still have a difficult time on the return trip.  By the time I finished, the old left foot pain was beginning.  I continued to be impressed with the volleyball players who are there every morning working on their game.  Because it's Wednesday, the food intake for the day was a problem as Papa made pasta with chicken.  It was delicious and I had two small helpings along with one piece of garlic toast.  Again, I can only guess what the calorie intake was.  Food intake: grapes (100); salad with chicken (350); chicken nuggets (350); pasta dinner (1200).  Once again, over the daily goal limit; however, it's only once per week and I have no doubt my weekly totals will prove it's all good.

It was a good day though a terrible night.  I was waking up every two hours, but that seems to happen more and more lately...however...there are other nights where I sleep for nine to ten hours...so go figure. Trash pick up went well and we were done by 9:35...a new record.  We are really working well together.  I only had 7 K, so I headed down to Balboa Park to get in the rest of the steps, which turned out to be a great idea as the day was perfect.  I hung out mostly at the Japanese Village and the San Diego Museum.  I ended up with 11 K for the day. Food intake: grapes (150); chicken nuggets (500); omelet (250); chicken strips (300). 

It was a good day for the diet and a rough one on the feet.  I went to Mission Beach early (it was cold) and did quite of bit of jogging.  For whatever reason, the toes on my right foot are bleeding in spots and by the time I was finishing, my old left foot nerve started acting up.  However, I did finish it and the day with 12+ K steps. I went to the movies and saw Tomb Raider .  It was exactly what you'd expect and was good. I didn't do much the rest of the day other than care to stay off my feet knowing I have trash day coming. Food intake: popcorn (500); chicken breasts (630); grapes 200.

It was a good day.  I went to Mission Beach, which was perfect and managed the 11+ K along with jogging both to and from the beginning.  There was no pain in my left foot though now I'm dealing with my right toes getting cut...it's always something.  I am still trying to think of something to keep me moving in the later afternoon and especially the evening.  I know that I will give the contraption a try come April.  I feel I'm getting somewhere as I it does seem my body is thinning out.  It's hard to tell in the mirror, but it just seems to be coming along.  I'm anxious for April 1.  Not only will I start the two-a-days, but I will also place out ALL my clothes by size and as the next three to four months roll around, begin to move up the chain and throw away the larger sizes.  Of course, the weigh in is on my mind as well.  Only 12 days and though I'll be good with 254, I am hopeful to be somewhere...anywhere in the 240's.  I m...

It's not often I will write this but I had a bad day yesterday.  Not only did I not finish my walk (my left foot nerve started acting up after only 20 minutes), but I went over my calorie intake goal for the day.  It wasn't too terrible but I'm still feeling pretty guilty about it.  It was rainy all day and I'm not using that as an excuse.  But to be honest, I am getting the sense that my body is telling me to "take a day," which I haven't for the past 76 days.  I didn't go anywhere, I didn't do anything other than computer and TV...shame on me there. My food intake: banana and grapes (200); three course Panda Express (1200); popcorn (500); chicken nuggets (400).  That's 2300 calories--not the end of the world and I have no doubt in the long run, I had plenty of room due to prior less than days; however, I worry about falling into the usual trap.  All I can do here is get back on the horse.  The weather looks good so I'm going to Mi...

I decided to do Mission Beach as the next two days call for rain and I'm very glad I did.  The weather was great and I did a good deal of jogging for the 5 1/2 mile trip.  I could see me doing this more than the gym when the weather gets better.  All I'm hoping for is that my feet hang in there.  I was just beginning to feel the nerve pain in my left foot when I made it back to the car.  For the life of me, I can't figure out why or when it flares up.  I know I will need to see the doctor about it eventually. The rest of the day, there was simply not much to report.  I am becoming more and more aware that I have to do something in the afternoons soon be in swimming, more walking, or even I should consider pickleball again. Food intake: grapes and two bananas (300); BBQ chicken strips twice (600); imitation crab (250).

Got to the gym early and finished the treadmill; however, I didn't feel up to the bike and noticed that I had forgotten the pacer.  I never did make the 10 K mark though I really have no way to tell.  I'll assume about 6 or 7 K I met with Hugh for lunch and decided to meet at The Outback in Mission Valley. I ordered the lunch BBQ chicken with broccoli.  That turned out to be a surprise because it was simply delicious.  I wish I knew how they can get such a flavor our of chicken.  But considering the entire meal is only about 400 calories, this will now be my go-to for a restaurant lunch.  Not much more happened today.  Just computer and TV.  I am going to have to consider going back to  Pickleball someday.  My afternoons are still in need of something to keep me active.  I'm watching too much TV. Food intake: banana and grapes (200); chicken and broccoli (400); shrimp (350); chicken nuggets (500).

It was a good day for the diet.  Got up early and did the gym for 7 K+ and then had breakfast of grapes and a banana, both of which were bought at Target and were actually better than those bought at Costco. I went to the Mall and walked a lot doing the perimeter a total of three times including the stores and then saw the movie  Thoroughbreds , which was not very good though I liked both actresses. I had dinner with Mom and Pop at TGIF, and they both had the ribs but I was a good boy and had the salmon with veggies and rice.  I walked the 10 PM check around the park and ended the day with 15+ K steps. Food intake: grapes, banana (200); popcorn (500); salmon dinner (750).  

Trash day so I was up early, took care of the morning computer work and headed off to the gym.  Using the Ipad to watch Netflix and Hulu has been working out well.  I'm still not jogging as much as I think I should but the walking seems to be working, so I'm going to worry too much about it until I see a decrease in my monthly weigh-ins.  We managed to get the trash done in a record time 1 hr and 45 minutes.  I don't believe we could ever beat that.  Everything fell into place.  We started early, got all of 3rd St done and even a little of 2nd St before 8 AM.  Plus, there simply wasn't as much trash this week as usual.  I went to Mom's as planned.  She was asleep and Donna left.  I then bought a couple of things for Papa from Amazon and headed home.  It seems there was something else, but I can't think of it at the moment.  I did stop at Target and get some grapes and mouthwash. I did get my copy of Justice League  a...

It was a fairly good day.  I did manage the 11 K steps with the gym in the early morning.  We took the safety test at the office and then I headed to Parkway Plaza to do some more walking and see Gringo , which was funny. I came home and made a salad but because I wanted to finish off the Asian salad mix, I end up eating FAR too much salad for the day and felt bloated for the next four or five hours.  I did have a little chicken before the end of the night, but I will no longer be buying the Asian mix salad at Costco anymore.  It simply is too much and quite frankly, not that good. Food intake: grapes (100); popcorn (500); salad (500); chicken (200).  There's a good change the salad might be more, but I really have no way of knowing. 

It was Saturday and so there was nothing planned and no errands to run.  I hit the gym early and finished my hour on the treadmill, knowing I would need to add on later.  It was still sprinkling just a little bit but I knew it was going to clear soon. I did some research and did find that working out before eating is better for weight loss, so I will endeavor to do that whenever I can knowing there will be some exceptions along the way.  I played a lot of WSOP and was happy to go back over the 300 M mark.  It was a long time coming. I took a walk to the park and back which did put me over the 10 K for the day. Food intake:  grapes (100); salad (450); chicken strips (300).  Under 1000 calories for the day and I am feeling just fine.  Evidently, I really never did need all the food all day after all. Ha!

It was book club and always a mine field when it comes to my diet.  Fortunately, everything went well as I stuck to the fruit, eggs, and a pepper thing.  I stayed away from the bacon, sausage, and pastry rolls.  The book club was once again fun and enjoyable.  I had done my gym work after getting up and only completed 50 minutes and 5 K steps, so I went to the mall and walked the perimeter (1500 steps) and then around again and again until I was over the 11 K mark.  Considering it was raining, that turned out to be good way to get in the steps on days like this.  It's comfortable and the people watching is a plus.  The book said that if I do my exercise before  I eat that it can mean as much as a 20% boost to my weight loss.  I don't have any other evidence to support this, but I'm still going to buy into it and try to follow that whenever I can.  I played WSOP for hour and managed to get my bank, which dwindled down to 40 M or so ...

I decided to go to Mission Beach again this morning.  It's a half hour drive back and forth, but it's certainly worth it as I enjoy the views, and I can quantify my walk easily.  I had the same problem again with my left foot.  This time, I sat for a couple of minutes and simply rubbed it for a while and it was fine for the walk back.  I did very little today.  I played WSOP while finishing the book When, which I did pick up a few good tips. For some inexplicable reason, a spot on my head began bleeding.  I have no clue why as I haven't hit it, scratched it, or anything else.  Curious.  Food intake: grapes (100); chicken strips (300); salad (400); imitation crab (250).  Without intending it, I'm keeping closer to around 1000 calories a day making those exception days more tolerable.  I'm NOT "feeling" any weight loss taking place and that can be discouraging, but I need to have faith in the process and come April 1, I will have los...

I can't believe that I'm writing this at 9:00 PM because I almost forgot to do it today.To be truthful, I don't remember what I did. I do know that I stayed under my 1500 calorie limit and I did manage my 11 K steps. This is a strange problem.  I focused so much on toady that yesterday has become a bit of fog.  It's all good.  I'll get back on track tomorrow.

Slept for 9 hours, so there's no reason to not get things done today.  I went to Mission Beach for my walk but forgot my Fitbit.  It turns out I found a step counter app on my Iphone and it seemed to work just fine.  The only problem with that is that you need to have your phone on you and I doubt it works with treadmills because of the GPS function, but I just don't know.  However, it is good to have in a pinch. I end up walking over 12 K steps.  The weather was great.  There's no doubt I enjoy that much more than the gym but I'm sure the gym gives me a better workout.  I showered and went to the mall to buy some new shoes.  They seem to be okay, but the jury is out on how they will work for my treadmill work.  I am not getting my book reading done, so now I will have to cram.  I went to Mom's to eat dinner and she had gone to bed no feeling well, so Papa and I had pasta.  I did have two small helpings, a meat ball and one piec...

Today is trash day, so I was off to the gym and did about 50 minutes on the treadmill before coming back, having some chicken strips and then work.  I finished at 9:30 and had a salad at noon. I did a little shopping and then checked a couple of thrift stores to find a wooden rocker, but no luck there.  Other than that, it was computer and TV.  It was a pretty laid back day. Food intake: chicken strips (300); salad (300); chicken nuggets (500); imitation crab (300). I haven't done as much work on the book as I need to. I got nine hours sleep last night, so there is NO reason I don't make a dent in it after I come back from my Mission Beach run.

Today was Tracy's birthday.  I did the gym in the morning and then headed up to Carlsbad at noon taking the coast route.  I walked around the mall for awhile and stopped over at Target to get her a gift certificate and then read my book at Starbucks. I saw the movie Red Sparrow  and enjoyed it though for a while it was quite confusing but ended well.  Jennifer Lawrence is a favorite and she did a great job. I was late to the birthday party but it was to be with the entire family.  I was a good boy and didn't eat anything. I did manage over 10 K steps for the day. Food intake: imitation crab and shrimp (300); chicken strips (300); popcorn (300); and chicken nuggets (500). 

The day began with a trip to the gym where I managed the usual hour on the treadmill and half hour on the bike.  Add the walking during the day and I managed 11+ K for the day. I managed to locate the smell omitting somewhere in my kitchen. It turns out it was the trash for the plastics.  Thank goodness it wasn't like a dead animal under the house or something.  It did force me to clean the kitchen, which is never bad thing. Martin arrived and we went to Pechanga where I had a disastrous session at the poker table.  I only won 5 hands, all very small pots in four hours.  I lost $185.  I honestly didn't play badly, I just had some very terrible luck.  I have no doubt I'm going to have to take the plunge one day and get out of the 2/4 limit game.  Overall, it is simply a losing game.  I just don't have the skill for the no limit games and have very little chance to practice.  I've pretty much decided I won't be making a trip in March...

It was a rainy day so the plan was the gym for the steps.  I forgot my counter, so I was on the treadmill for an hour and 15 minutes on the bike (heart just wasn't into it today), so I'm guessing along with the rest of my small walks I probably accomplished about 7000 steps or so.  I'm a little disappointed in myself, but it's all good. Crazy, crazy dream last night.  It was about a fictitious country that was a model for world peace.  I've never dreamed about anything like this before.  I've begun the Outlander  3rd season and got half way through.  As usual, it's fantastic. Food intake: fruit (100); omelet (250); chicken strips (300); chicken nuggets (500). I learned today (after buying one) that my favorite fruit, Mango, is VERY high in calories (250 calories per), so that takes care of that.  I'll have to settle for the occasional slices here and there. Either I'm getting really used to the below 1500 calories per day, or I'm becomi...

It was a good day for the food intake, not so much with the walking.  I did go to the zoo and did my usual route; however, that is only a little more than 5000 steps.  I will need to add to the route and figure a way to get closer to the 10 K needed for the day.  The was beautiful and my feet did not bother me.  I put in the foot lifts and so far, I haven't had a problem with the nerve in my left foot. I went to the movies and saw Death Wish .  It was predictable but it was good.  I wanted to see Red Sparrow but for the very first time, Movie Pass had it blocked out.  That's the first time I've seen that.  I will try again on Monday when I go to my daughter's birthday celebration in Carlsbad.  If it is still blocked out, I will go ahead and pay.  It's a movie I don't want to miss. Food intake: fruit (100); popcorn (500); chicken strips (300).

I went to Mission Beach to get my walk in and though I really enjoy that walk more than anywhere else, I continue to have problems with the nerve in my left foot.  I tried something different when it started to really hurt.  I took my shoes off and walked along the shoreline and the water was so cold that it helped and after putting my shoes back on after awhile, the pain went away.  That gives me hope so I can continue. I did get about 12 K in for the day and I also kept the food down, so it was an overall good day.  I considered going to the movies and finally decided against it.  I end up just watching TV and doing the usual computer thing. I need to get going on this months book! Food intake: fruit (100); salad (400); chicken strips (250).  I want to make up for dinner at the folks and the salad was huge.

Good news and bad news (not really that bad):  Weigh in was 264 pounds for a total of 33 pounds in two months.  That is outstanding and now I need to remind myself that weight is going to go off easier in the first few months, but will become very much more difficult later.  I'm sure that when I hit 220, getting the next ten for the month will be a chore, and the months after that even more.  So, here's keeping my head in check. The not so bad news is the food intake for the day.  It was dinner at the parents and though I kept it to a salad and an omelet until then, the dinner was also with Donna and Jose, so Pop made a pork roast, mash potatoes, and gravy.  One of my favorite meals.  I did manage to keep the potatoes down to a small portion but I probably had a little too much of pork and gravy.  I did stay away from the garlic toast and had two helpings of green beans.  However, the salad was large and the dressing not Lite or diet. ...