365 Days and Counting

I'm feeling a bit more sore than usual, probably the long jog from the car dealership, but I did get my jog in early and finished the day with over 13 K steps.  Jose finished my golf cart, so I went to Walmart and bought some rust resistant spray paint and painted the bottom and sides of the wood. I spent most the day playing online poker.  I'm not happy with my lazy days.  I will need to find something a little more active.  I have considered pickle ball, but for whatever reason, it's just not attracting me.  I'm not sure if I'm nervous about getting injured again, or if I just don't won't to add another commitment. Someone mentioned to me that I'm really avoiding adding commitments to my life and I must admit I know their right.  I don't want to start back in the theater, I don't want to volunteer in anything, and I don't want to start a relationship...all because I don't want to commit.  I suppose I'm going to crank it up to ju...

I needed to get the car's maintenance up to date, so I drove to El Cajon Ford.  I knew this would be an expensive one as I need new tires and will have all my fluids in the car exchanged.  They informed me that my warranty expired on June 5.  It pissed me off as I thought it was 100 K miles, but in the back of my mind, I think I do remember that.  If I had all this done three weeks ago, I could have saved about $500.  Anyway, I budgeted $2 K and it turned out to be $1700, so I'm okay with that.  It is nice to have a safe, solid car to take to Vegas next week. I jogged back to the house (6.5 miles) so it was a nice way to get my steps over with, but I have to admit, it was a journey.  I was tired and a little sore afterwards.  I was a little worried because towards the end, my left foot started to act up, but it worked out okay.  I just played poker the rest of the day and rested up before having Cindy drive me back to pick up the car. The...

Did my Santee Lake jog early and was back by 7:45.  I spent most the day playing poker online and I also walked giving out the monthly newsletter to the park.  I put on over 17 K steps for the day.  The swim went well but the sauna, again, was packed so I didn't go in there.  Dinner at the folks was delicious, though not the best choice for my diet.  Papa made roast pork, mashed potatoes, and carrots.  I had two helpings, though I kept both very small portions.  It was one of the "hungry" days today, so I may have gone over the daily calorie count, but if I did, it wasn't by much and I have no doubt I more than made up for that on other days.  Weigh in is three days away.  Yes, I expect I'll make my goal, but I still have these lingering thoughts that something will disappoint me.  I could honestly say that I'm seeing physical changes in my body more now though the hips, stomach, and abdomen area still have too much fat.  My ski...

Another Tuesday, another trash pickup day.  I got at 4 AM, had some coffee and it was off to gym.  Got there after filling up the tank at Costco at 5 and did the treadmill for almost an hour.  Jose is back and was there early.  We actually finished the trash pickup at 8 AM, the earliest we've ever finished it.  It certainly helped that I did all that pickup yesterday. I left him my cart, after washing it down, to put some wooden planks on the bed, which he said he'll try to do sometime this week, so I'll be without the cart for a while.  I made it to the movies and saw the latest dino movie.  It was good but nothing particularly new.  The little girl was very good, but the movie was just too formulaic.  The popcorn, of course, was good.  With my movie pass, and using my points for the drink, and it being half off popcorn day, my movie, medium size drink, and medium popcorn cost less than $5.  Damn, I'm good. I played computer po...

It was not one of my proudest days.  First, I woke up at 4 AM and couldn't get back to sleep and so I got up.  I did manage my run, but the Exlax decided to finally work half way through my run and I was getting these severe abdominal pains; however, I managed to make it home.  It was good to relieve myself, but I need to rethink when I should run after taking the medicine the night before.  Perhaps because I got up so early, I was sluggish all day.  I did manage to do some trash pickup but pretty much stayed home all day.  I then made the mistake of laying down at 6 or so and fell asleep until 8, so I missed my swim.  It's not the end of the world, but it just pisses me off because I know I'm going to have to get up at 4 AM because of trash today.  Of well. Food intake: chicken fingers (600); chicken nuggets (500)

I got an early start because it was a day for poker at Pechanga.  I got the run done. Martin came a little early, and we headed off.  I was hungry so I used my points to buy a chicken Teriyaki bowl.  I didn't eat much of the rice and enjoyed the chicken and veggies.  It was delicious.  I'll have that again. The poker started out great.  I was up $50 in the first 15 minutes and then it went to hell.  I was playing well, but I was getting bad beat after bad beat.  I end up losing $176 for the day.  I can certainly afford it, but it just bothers me that I have had a very long losing streak at poker now and I can't seem to break out of it.  I'm a little discouraged, but I do enjoy it.  As much as I'm looking foreword to the upcoming Las Vegas trip with Terry and Louise, there's a part of me that's not.  I've been losing too much money on these trips lately (where is my luck?) and it's going to knock me off my diet routine. ...

I managed to jog the Santee Lakes route in a little less than an hour and a half.  It felt pretty good though I did get a tinge of left foot pain...but nothing to worry about.  I played poker on the computer with Terry and caught a nap for a couple of hours before my swim.  No sauna as it was crowded, which is very odd for a Saturday night considering it's the slowest night of the week at the gym. Food intake: grapes (200); chicken strips (300); chicken nuggets (800)

I decided to do the treadmill at the gym, which I did for about 50 minutes and then head out to the Zoo.  I haven't been there for a while and I wanted to give away my two free ticket coupons to someone before they expire next week.  I offered them to Tracy but she never got back to me.  I found a couple approaching the pay line, and gave them the tickets.  They were really grateful and wanted to pay me something for them, but I refused.  What's the point of giving something away and taking something for it?  I feel better.  It's always nice to just be nice.  She was very excited saying she had been waiting to visit the zoo for years.  I picked a good couple. The walk around the zoo always surprises me as it seems like a long way, but it reality, I only use about 5 K steps.  However, the morning was beautiful and the walk was very nice.  I eventually got in my needed 10 J for the day.  I have been very fortunate lately in tha...

My run went well using the Santee Lakes route.  It was a rather dead day as I didn't do much of anything else other than play poker on the computer and watch a little TV.  It's funny just how fast the days go by. My swim went well but no sauna as it was just too crowded. Food intake: omelet (150); chicken strips (300); chicken nuggets (500).

Danger day for me.  I did my job in the morning, which went just fine.  My legs are still sore for some unknown reason...though they did bother me running, only when I stoop down.  Go figure. I went to the movies and saw Incredibles 2, which was very good and just made it in time for dinner with the folks.  Pop was NOT good to me on his dinner selection.  BBQ ribs, corn on the cob, scallop potatoes, and asparagus.  He also made garlic toast but I stayed away from that.  I have no doubt I went over my daily goal today.  Add to that I didn't do my swim last night...first time in perhaps a month or two and that adds up to a bad day for my diet.  I have no clue what the calorie intake was for the dinner, so I'll take a shot at it.  Of course, it's not horrible such as an injury or illness, just bad.  I'm actually quite grateful I've been able to sustain this pace for so long without some bad calamity coming my way, which has been th...

It was trash day, so I was up at 4 AM, so I could to the treadmill.  I got to the gym and realized that I had NOT taken my Fitbit counter with me...SHIT!  I stayed on the treadmill for about 45 minutes and came home. I did finally put it on.  In order to keep my daily average up on the website, I'm going to have to do some extra walking today. Trash day went fine. I started very early 6:30 and after an hour, the temp guy arrived, Anthony, a nice guy who did everything I asked of him.  We finished by 9 AM including the vegetation pick up.  So, as usual, I worry too much about things.  I should always assume it's going to be fine and then worry if it doesn't.  I know that if push came to shove, I could do the entire trash run alone if I had to.  I did get some good steps in (over 7 K). I went to the movies to see Tag , which was really funny and did some extra walking around the mall until I had my 10 K for the day accomplished.  So, I supp...

I did my job around the Santee Lakes and things went just fine except that for whatever reason, my legs are sore.  I didn't do anything different but you'd think I'd just run for the first time.  The soreness won't stop me from anything,  but it sure doesn't make sense. I did do some trash pick up a little bit around the park to get a bit of a head start.  I also found out the Jose will be gone for two weeks, not one.  I'm also going to have to pick up vegetation and Jose didn't empty the big truck, so this is going to be a problem next week.  I drove to both Lowes and Home Depot and neither can make a copy of the golf cart key.  I didn't use the sauna as it was just too crowded.  I did stop by Target and buy some new gloves in case the new guy doesn't bring any.  The swim went fine. Food intake: chicken fingers (300); grapes (250); chicken nuggets (650).

It was Father's Day.  I did my job around Santee Lakes early and took care of all the morning business.  I had some grapes, played some computer poker and waited to go pick up Mom and Pop at 1:30.  We met  Donna and Jose at the Cafe La Maze in National City, an old school steak house.  Mom was in good spirits so the dinner went well.  I stuck to salmon and vegetables while Pop and Donna had the prime rib, who said it was amazing.  My fish was very good.  The entire meal for the five of us came to $150 with tip, so for a nice restaurant, not too bad.  Donna and I split the bill. I did my swim and sauna and that was about it.  It was a pretty good day. Food intake: grapes (150); salmon dinner (650); chicken nuggets (500).

I decided to do my steps at the beach.  It was nice to be back there.  The weather was just a little overcast which made for good jogging.  I did manage to do the right ratio of jogging and walking and there was no problems with either my knee of foot.  Good news there! I spent most the day playing computer poker and such.  I watched some TV and pretty much nothing else until it was time for my swim.  I can't decide if these are wasted days or not.  I'm getting in my exercise, I'm keeping my calories within the right range, so just what is so wrong?  Why am I still feeling a little guilty.  Am I wasting these healthy days away?  When I'm old and close to the end, will I regret not doing more?  I honestly just don't know.  But I will say that I've not been more satisfied and relaxed.  What else is there? I absolutely know that I don't want to share my life with another person. I've simply become far too spoiled at makin...

It's funny how things creep up on your mind even though you've given it so much thought in the past and have dealt with it, but yet as much as I think I'm in control, my mind reminds me that sometimes I don't...once again, I'm going through the "is this all really working?" scenario.  I'm not visually seeing any progress in my chest or stomach...all I'm seeing is fat.  My workout shorts don't seem to be getting any looser.  I've discussed this many times, but I still  have to remind myself that it is a process and I have to trust the process.  I will expect  to have lost the 10 pounds by the first of the month...period!  If I don't, then I can't help but wonder what it's going to do to my determination. Even as I write this, I know I'm being silly.  I know I have not strayed from my goals.  I haven't missed a day getting in my steps and my swim and I always feel great at the end of the day knowing I've done it, yet...

I decided to take the trolley to Chula Vista going on the Green Line to the Blue Line.  There wasn't a problem, but it just seemed like something I won't need to do again.  Chula Vista continues to be old and run down along Broadway.  Granted, I did go anywhere else, but it was still a little depressing.  There were trailer parks there that have been there since the 50s.   I did walk down to where the old Bob's Coffee Shop was and is now a Greek restaurant.  Surprising, there were some people in there eating.  The inside looked nice though I know that old building.  I worked there when I was 16, more than 50 years ago.  I had a very nice lunch at an upscale Mexican restaurant having fish soup along with a Corona Lite and a couple of tortillas.  The difference between corn and flour tortillas is pretty startling 124 vs 43...stick to the corn.  The soup was wonderful and very low in calories but at $12, a bit stiff.  I wo...

I once again got an early start and finished my 10K steps by 8:30.  I decided to go to the movies again to see Hotel Artimis  with Jodi Foster and it was good.  The popcorn machine upstairs had broken down, so though I missed that, I didn't need to add the calories...but it sucked, I love my popcorn. Summer is approaching and it was hot in the house today.  However, having so little sleep the past couple of night, I managed to take a two hour nap, which I really needed.  I then headed to the gym and did my swim.  The sauna was too crowded so I skipped that.  I was sad to read in Facebook that Mari Mann, Jim Block, Jim Jones, and Ms. Jenkins all retired this year.  It shouldn't make a difference, but seeing the pictures of them at the farewell party made me a little nostalgic.  I will add m congrats with the little video of have of them and will post it on Facebook. It amazes me just how my days go by considering I do so little.  To...

A day full of chores and such.  I got up at 4 AM and hit the gym for an hour on the treadmill and then did the trash.  We were done my 8:15--very good time.  I went to the movies and saw Ocean's 8 , was good.  Then it was to the parents for dinner, back to the gym for my swim and sauna, and finally to my chores and that was a full day for me.  The dinner put me over a little in my daily goal, but I'll make it up over the long haul. Food intake: chicken strips (400); popcorn (500); meatloaf dinner (850).

I made the Santee Lakes route once again.  I left at 6:30 AM and finished in an hour and a half jogging about 70% of it.  It always feels good to go early and be done with it.  I do not or have yet to understand these runners who say they have  to run each day.  Though I've now done this for 162 days, there still isn't a day that I wish I didn't have to make the trip.  It makes me wonder about my keeping up with this routine after the 365 days are up.  The only thing I can guarantee is that I will never allow myself to get fat again.  Those horrible days are over. I tried the recently opened chicken place for lunch.  The chicken was good but I can't go again as it is deep fried and though I made an exception this time, I can't do it again.  I only had three pieces. The swim went well, but the sauna was full. Food intake: grapes (200); fried chicken (700); chicken nuggets (600).

I got to my steps good and early and I definitely have a better day when I get it over with early in the morning verses the afternoon.  I did the Santee Lakes route and I was able to job a lot of it with only some minor discomfort in the left knee and foot.  Good news. Ended the day with just under 12K. I did get around the breaking down the boxes and taken them to the trash Cindy had asked me to take care of and I almost forgot.  Aside from that it was just TV and computer poker.  I did get around to watching Killing Eve  on TV.  This is a terrific eight episode show.  I binged most of it and have two more to go.  The BBC really does great original programming.  I got to the gym late having "almost" not going but glad I did as I got a good swim and sauna.  There's a Derrick guy who loves to talk to anyone withing ear shot.  This is the second time I've run in to him.  He reminds me of Martin. Food intake: grapes (100); c...

I went to the gym and walked the treadmill while watching the final episode of Senses 8 , I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed that show.  It's too bad there won't be any more....so good.  I went to Target and bought some grapes and the Clinton/Patterson book.  I now have four books that I bought that I need to actually READ along with the book club selection. This sounds like a terrible pattern, but aside from my morning steps and my nightly swim, I'm doing too little.  Computer poker and TV.  I have got  to find something else to do that will keep me active.  I'm sitting around too much. I know I've done a great job so far and have lost a good amount of weight, but the truth is, I have a hell of a lot more to go.  The fat in my chest stomach and waist is being very stubborn and I absolutely have to maintain this diet.  I'll say it again--patience, patience, patience.  I must believe in the process.  Of course, the first of the mon...

I decided it would be okay to go to Mission Beach for my jog in the morning.  I filled up the tank with gas at the Costco by IKEA on the way and got there around 6:30 AM.  It's surprising how many people are already out there jogging and walking in the morning.  It was a perfect morning and everything was going well until about the four mile mark on my return when my left knee (that had been giving me trouble in the past) started to flare up and I had to stop.  I took a small rest and it quit hurting so I decided to walk the rest of the way back to the car.  There were no problems after that, but I did tell me that I need to stay on the treadmill for a while until it completely heals.  I am convinced it's the concrete on the these old 67-year-old knees that's taking its toll.  I did finish and drove back to the house and turned in my time sheet.  I pretty much rested during the day and then took Cindy out to dinner at Janet's in Alpine.  I ...

I went to the gym and did the treadmill once again, but was at least surprised to find the Netflix had added Racnoroc to their library and so I watched that again. I did the entire 10K on the treadmill.  It was a truly dead day as after the gym I didn't do much at all.  I don't like days like this...just sitting around watching TV and computer.  I honestly do need to find a better way to fill my day.  There are plenty of options, and I have to start becoming a little more disciplined about it. I did do my 20 laps at the gym pool but didn't get in the sauna because it was too crowded, but that's not a big deal. Food intake: chicken breasts (600); grapes (160); chicken nuggets (550)

Patience and trust in the process...this is what I have to continually remind myself.  As successful as I've been thus far on this diet, I still regularly have doubts.  I'm not sure why, but it's just something that comes into my head.  I know  better, but these thoughts haunt me.  Is this what happens to people with eating disorders feel--but on a much higher level?  I'm no where near there, but I do now experience a sort of compulsion to get my steps in for the day and I do get nervous with just about anything I put in my mouth.  It's now been almost six months of this diet.  I have lost 70 pounds, but rolls of fat still hang from my chest and stomach.  So...just hang in there--patience and trust the process.  It was Cindy's birthday, so after my jog/walk using the Santee Lakes route, I went to the store and bought her a card and flowers.  I played some poker on the computer, watched a little TV and had dinner at the folks....

Being that it was trash day, I got up at 4 AM and was in the gym getting my steps in on the treadmill.  Trash went without a hit and by the time I was back in my home, I had put on 12K steps when added to the Parkway Plaza walk.  I did go do the "Tuesday Movie" as I'm now calling it.  Regal offers half off on popcorn, so that's certainly the time for me to go.  I saw Upgrade, which turned out to be better than I thought.  It was just another good guy versus bad guy, but I like those. Other than that, I just watched some TV and tried to lay down and get a nap to no avail.  The swim went well as I thought I'd have to wait for a lane, but all three were open. I did swim 20 laps, but was a little disappointed that it only took 15 minutes questioning whether I'm getting the work out I think I am.  I know that I'm tired at the end and getting some serious breathing in, so I must.  I thought it would take longer, I suppose.  But I am glad I'm do...

I'm at that stage where I feel like I've been doing this forever, and yet, it's not even HALF over.  But I can't argue with the results.  I'm finally beginning to lose some stomach weight--not a lot, but it's beginning and I'm starting to get comfortable with making my goal of 38s by July.  I even bought a couple of 36s when I was at Costco knowing that with them sitting there on the bed, I'd have that reminder of where I want to be.  My goal is to have those on in September or at least October.  We shall see. Another thing I noticed was I could feel my chest bone for the the first time in I don't know how long.  On the down side, my legs continue to be sore and stiff, but I have to remember that I'm a 67 year old man, not a 20-something and soreness is going to be par for the course. I was late getting to the gym yesterday not beginning my treadmill until after 11 PM, but I did make it and I did get in all of my steps there by doing an hour,...

I'm having problems with my left knee, though not serious but enough to keep me off pavement a while longer.  I did go to the gym and used the treadmill and the stationary bike. It was then off to Pechanga where I lost $100 again.  I just can't seem to catch good cards and when I do I get cooled by someone.  I know I played well, I'm just in a funk.  However, I did enjoy myself and will continue to play.  I really do need to consider trying the 1/2 no limit someday. I went to Mary's home game and came in 3rd and got my buy in back.  There were only six people, so nothing to get uppity about. I came home and did my swim adding a couple laps...now 16.  I hadn't eaten anything except the omelet this morning and was very hungry (I won't count the 5 tortilla chips and salsa I had at the party), so I treated myself to Panda Express for dinner.  I couldn't finish it.  I definitely can't eat as much as I used to. Food intake: omelet (150); Pa...

Once again, I decided to just do the gym with the treadmill and stationary bike.  I'm watching the BBC's program, The Windsors , which I'm enjoying.  To my surprise, I'm not feeling like the bike work is doing all that much, yet I'm sweating much more doing that than the treadmill.  The lines were too long at Costco, so I bought gas on the corner as well as a bag of ice from the 99-cent store for the shrimp that I'm taking to book club.  Book club went well and I was flattered as everyone remarked on the weight loss.  It's important for me to hear validation and though it's a nice boost to my ego, I know I need to occasionally hear this so that I get more determination to continue.  I'm at that point in my head like it feels I'd never go back to my old habits, but I don't trust myself, and I really never should.  I was good the lunch sticking to a few slices of ham and turkey, no bread, a small portion of potato salad and fruit.  Unfort...

My knees are still barking, so the plan will be to just use the treadmill at the gym for the next few days.  I got through the entire hour with no problems with my left foot.  I wish I knew what the deal is with that.  Sometimes, I barely walk on it, and others, nothing.  I'm watching the BBC program, The Windsors, while on the treadmill using my Ipad.  It's a good documentary.  I did get most the reading done for the book club.  I went to the store and bought shrimp for the meeting and thought I'd like to try the seafood salad.  It was only 180 calories and was a nice snack. I went to the musical The Little Mermaid  at the community theater here.  It had all the markings of a community theater production: low technical standards, throw together costumes and props, and a substandard sound system.  There were three or four standout performers, but the rest of the cast were pretty bad.  I left at intermission.  Some go...

Weigh in done and am relieved to find that I did make my goal: 225.6 lbs.  Of course, this is still considered over weight, but with 72 pounds lost over the past 150 days, I have to feel a little proud of that.  I am now concerned that as I continue, the weight loss is going to be harder and harder to get off as the "easy bloated fat" is gone and now the body is going to begin to revolt.  We shall see, but I'm determined to keep at it. There are some problems that need to be solved:  My constant constipation is my biggest one.  I don't want to have to resort to the bottle of whatever it's called all the time, but Ex-Lax doesn't do a damn thing.  The Digestive Advantage gummie bears seem to be non-effective (though I admit they taste good--just a scant of sugar coating).  I'm going to have to do some research.  I'm also having some slight pain in my left knee.  I've decided to stay off pavement for a bit until it gets better.  Yesterd...