365 Days and Counting

I got my run in early and was done buy 6 AM.  I goofed around and then finally went over to Papa's and set up his computer with the new cord and power supply for his computer.  They both worked.  I set in the numbers on his phone and then tried the new small phone for the TV room and the dial on it was goofing up.  That's what happens when you buy cheap, you get cheap.  I'm going to try the first phone I bought on Wednesday.  If that doesn't work, then I will have to buy ANOTHER phone.  Shit! The swim went fine.  I tried to nap in the afternoon, but it was too hot.  I'll be very happy with winter arrives...though it's not for a very long time. Food intake: fruit (100); chicken pieces (300); soup (300); chicken nuggets (550)

This morning's run went fine.  I went to Lowe's to pick up another insulation package and a box and finally blocked in the bedroom window that I've been meaning to do since I moved here.  It didn't make as much a difference in the sound as I thought it would, but it does completely shut out any light. Other than that, it was just another day of hanging around playing on the computer and watching TV.  In August, this has to change as Sept 1 will be one of the most important days of this year's diet challenge.  I am expecting to go under 200 and jump down to a 36 waist in pants.  I will have to be very determined in that month--not that I haven't all year, but I think a lot less sitting and more action.  I want to know within myself that I did everything possible to achieve this goal. The swim went fine at the gym.  There's a part of me that feels I should push myself more swimming, but the truth is, I'm not all that sure the actual diet benefit is a...

I slept late, which is a good thing, giving me eight hours--something I haven't have in a long time.  I do, however, prefer to get up earlier simply so I can get my run in before the sun comes up.  I realize that's a little silly but I suppose it's the stage I'm in at the moment.  I'll be curious to see how I do all of this once winter comes in and it's cold outside. The run went well.  I got the phone and the monitor cord from Amazon and went to Pop's to install it.  It turns out that I forgot to get the power cord for the monitor.  Papa also wants another phone.  The bad part about everything is that it turns out, the phone I first bought worked after all.  Papa had unplugged something that put all the phones dead.  The guy from Cox came and fixed it right away.  Now, Papa wants to buy ANOTHER phone (three landlines in the house) with a cordless handheld.  Oh well...I ordered another. I bought some insulation and tape at Lowe'...

The run went without a hitch and I was back by 6:30 AM.  I then walked more delivering the monthly rents to 3rd St.  I went to the gym for my swim, but all the lanes were full with people waiting (very unusual, especially for a weekend), so I did not get that in. I did get my haircut and then went to the Starbucks on the corner where I found Timmy working.  He visited for a bit.  I began reading Clair's book.  I only finished the first chapter and I'm a bit worried, but I'm hopeful it will pick up. I did manage a short nap,but the heat is really tough.  I suppose it's going to be like this off and on through December...just deal with it.  I missed Larry's birthday, so I'll need to let him know.  Hugh called and he's in the hospital, so I'm trying to decided if I should go up there and visit, but I'm thinking probably not as he's being released tomorrow.  We'll see. Food intake: chicken breasts (360); grapes (200); banana (100); soup (30...

The run went well.  Though it sucks getting only six hours of sleep, I really do enjoy getting the run done early in the morning.  I was back by 6:30. I tried to nap a little and went to the movies for the third day in a row in order to beat the heat.  It worked great as I end up seeing Mama Mia: Here We Go Again , which I didn't think I'd like as the first third was silly, but the final half of the movie was terrific. I walked a little in the mall and then finally came back home and went for my swim a little later. Food intake: chicken fingers (300); popcorn (200); chicken fingers again (350); chicken nuggets (500).

I woke up too early once again, which I actually like because it means I can get my run in before the sun comes up, but I'm very concerned that getting only 5 to 6 hours sleep every night is going to come back and bite me in the butt.  I do try to take a nap each day but the success rate is not what it should be there.  I am so thrilled when the run is over but now the thing is beginning to border on the obsession scale whereas thinking I would not run on a particular day would be harmful.  I'm still upset that I never made a run during the Vegas stay.  Yes, I got all the necessary steps in, but running is such a different animal making me feel like I've accomplished something versus just the steps, which most people do every day anyway.  In order to escape the heat, I went to the movies once again and saw Secaro 2.  It was good but predictable and not as good as the first one, but still an enjoyable day at the movies.  I stuck to just a kids pack ...

Got up at 4 AM and did my run.  Wish I could easily get get this early every morning as it's so nice to have to run over with and then it leaves me the rest of the day.  It's trash day and things went very well and we were done by 8 AM.  It is SO hot these days hitting triple digits, so getting the run and the trash done early is essential.  I went to the movies and saw EQUALIZER 2.  It was predictable, but it was very good.  Had a confrontation with two women in front of me who wouldn't turn their phone off.  I called for the manager and they were escorted out.  We exchanged quite a few insults.  I later felt I didn't handle the situation was well as I should have though they were clearly in the wrong.  I feel bad for my behavior.  Every day...another learning experience. I had to wait a few minutes to get a lane at the pool, but that was fine.  The swim went fine. Food intake: chicken fingers (350); popcorn (500); chick...

Just typing Day 204 seem crazy that this has been going on this long.  I am very pleased with the results so far and am anxious to see what the final five + months bring.  I am really hoping to eventually get rid of this abdomen belly fat...that would make it all worth it as it was one of the most worrisome part of my being fat.  I am glad those days (hopefully) are gone forever. I got my run in early.  I went to Best Buy and bought a new printer.  Though there was a bit of a learning curve in the beginning, I figured it out and now have a working printer.  Granted I don't use it a lot, but when I do need it...I NEED it.  The swim at the gym was surprising considering it was a Monday night and I had the pool all to myself even though the gym was crowded.  Go figure. I discovered a new chicken fingers product at the Discount Grocery as well as a Gumbo Soup, so I'm very pleased with that.  I also am going to give peaches a try instead of ...

I decided to do my run at Mission Beach.  It has been a while and things there were pretty much the same.  Though the distance is just a little further than my home route, for whatever reason, it seems to take much longer.  Of course, the view and the smells are much better, but the added 25 minutes to and from make it not so worth except on occasion. I had my lunch with Papa and things went better than I thought. He's agreed that after these latest tests are completed, he will go along with the suggestion if there is not a positive result.  We had lunch at Outback.  I had my usual BBQ smoked chicken and broccoli, which was delicious.  It is certainly overpriced at $15, but oh so good. The gym was deserted and I had the pool all to myself. Food intake: chicken a broccoli (600); chicken strips (300); grapes (200); chicken nuggets (500)

I got the run in early and came back to clean up the house and prepare it for the book club. All went well with the club meeting, though it was too hot in the house.  Hopefully, we'll be in the club house next month. I got in a much needed nap yesterday and it seemed to help a lot. The swim at the gym went well though the pool is in bad need of a cleaning. Food intake: assorted fruit, eggs (600); chicken fingers (300); chicken nuggets (500); banana (100)

I managed to get my run in early.  I went to Von's to buy the bacon for book club and was happy to see that, like Albertson's, they have these homegrown grapes that I love.  I also picked up some spicy chicken fingers I thought I give a try.  They, of course, have a few more calories, but I think I need to mix it up a bit and I can still stay within my daily limits.  The swim at the gym went without a hitch as Friday's are dead there and I had the pool to myself.  I've stopped using the sauna...perhaps because it's summer or I'm just not so sure just what it's doing for me.  The jury is still out there. It took almost the entire day, but I did finish the book, Annie Proulx's The Shipping News .  I didn't like the ending, but I enjoyed the book. Food intake: chicken fingers (600); grapes (150); banana (100); chicken nuggets (500).

This day is a bit of a milestone at 200. It doesn't seem that long ago I was writing that I'd finally hit the three digit realm when I had 100 days...how soon will it feel when I'm at 300 and where will I be body wise. Though I am very pleased with this diet and the improvement I've experienced with my weight loss, I am still battling the stomach, abdomen, and waist.  There remains in those areas lots of fat and I admit there is some loss there, the rest seem so stubborn.  Here's hoping Day 300 will improve in those areas significantly.  I did my run, read more of the book, and my swim at night.  I watched some TV and other than all of that, not much else.  This is also an area I truly need to work on.  First things first, get the book finished today because tomorrow is the meeting here. Food intake: chicken breasts (260); chicken nuggets (800); grapes (200)

It was a good day exercise wise having made the run early and I did get in my swim, though an hour earlier than usual as I was at my sister's taking care of some issues with my mother.  I managed over 15 K steps and jogged the usual route. I did get some reading in and discovered an amazing strawberry tea featured at Starbucks.  I got my blood pressure check at the doctor's and was pleased that it was 116/80...very normal and then stopped at the Albertson's to buy some incredible soup for lunch along with some grapes.  I'll have to be sure to check back here in hopes they have that soup again.  It was a Cajun sausage with rice.  Food intake: chicken fingers (300); grapes (100); soup (400); chicken nuggets (600)

I got up at 4 AM and did my run.  Fortunately, I jogged the usual route and only had a small amount of back pain.  It seems whatever it was seems to have been caused by the bed in Las Vegas...as good a guess than anything.  It certainly is a relief to not have that back pain and to know that it would not be chronic thing...for now. I went to Costco and picked up some more food and then to the movies to watch ANT MAN AND THE WASP again, which I really loved.  My Movie Pass worked just fine.  I should be honest and admit I did succumb to a small bag of candy today, my first since the diet began.  I had just a little money left on my Regal card, so I used here.  Shame on me, but certainly not the end of the world. I napped for a little bit in the early evening but did wake up in time to get to the gym for my swim.  It felt good to be back in my routine.  I finished the day with almost 20 K steps. Food intake: chicken fingers (400); popcorn...

Back now from Vegas and Laughlin, it's back to the routine, which I actually missed.  I did my jog in the morning but having missed those five days, I found that I couldn't jog as much; however, it wasn't so much as being out of shape as that I've been having a back issue the past few days.  I'm experiencing back pain and I don't know why other than sleeping on hard mattresses lately. The pain was intense at times during the run and I had to stop and stretch.  I'm really hoping that this is a temporary set back and not the onset of problems.  I took some Advil, and was very glad to find out it seemed to actually work.  I had no more pain the rest of the day. I did finish the course and had 11 K for the day.  However, I did not go swim and hopefully pick that up again tonight.  I mostly hung around the house catching up on You Tubes and just resting up.  I've had so little sleep these past days.  I hope to have a good full night of nine or...

7-15-18   Sunday I woke up early…again and got all the morning routines done and then packed as today I would check out as the trip has almost come to an end.   I walked over to the Belle and put Terry and my names on the poker high game list and then played a couple of penny games and Keno. I walked down to the Aquarius where I’d be joining Terry and Louise once again in the buffet for breakfast. I was still a little early, so I played some 9/6 Jacks against the back bar and won $60 with the help of a straight flush.   We had breakfast, which again was great.   Like the Diamond with Caesars, this green card does give some nice perks and the free Sat and Sun buffets is right up there as the VIP area is great to sit in with its fresh cut fruits and juices in addition to the regular buffet.   We played poker but were surprised only six players began the morning, which is bad because it makes getting the $20 for the jackpots more difficult but good as...

7-14-18   Saturday I got up at 3:30…just woke up, couldn’t get back to sleep and finally just gave up.   I did my day’s report and posted it.   I left my room and walked over to the Belle to sign up for the high hand table.   It was early and I put Terry’s and my name at the top of list.   Terry, also up early came over and met me at the Belle.   We drove over to Bullhead so Terry could play and hour or so Pickleball with his friends but when we got to the courts, there was no one there.   So, I filled up the tank and we headed back to the Aquarius and had the breakfast buffet, which Terry had comps for and Louise came down and joined us later.   It was a nice buffet.   I had my usual veggie omelet and a little sausage and peppers along with fruit.   We then walked back to the Belle to play poker.   We were a little early, so I played some dime Four Card Keno and won $5.   The first hand of the game, I won a nice po...

7-13-18   Friday Terry and I met early Friday morning at the Fremont at their buffet for breakfast using points.   Excellent omelet and fruit.   We decided to play some NSUD at the Fremont, which turned out to be a mistake because we both lost the hundred buy in.   We headed back to our respective hotels to pack up and get ready to leave for Laughlin.   It has been hot, but not too bad hovering around 100.   I picked him and Louise up at the Golden Gate at the drive to Laughlin went smoothly with the exception of the 95 after Searchlight, which is still being repaved and down to two lanes.   Flashfloods again have ravaged this area and the 95 between where you turn left to go to Laughlin and straight on to the I-40 was washed out because of flash floods.   It didn’t hinder us and arrived in Laughlin around 11:30.   Fortunately, Terry’s green card status lets him check in early at the VIP lounge at the Aquarius so they got their room...

7-12-18 Thursday Started out the morning with a McDonald’s breakfast burrito and orange juice—NOT on my diet, but hell, what happens in Vegas…you know. I went to meet but they hadn’t had breakfast yet, so I told Terry I would be at the Golden Nugget playing poker and he can meet me there.   I got on a table right away.   Terry came about an hour later but was at a different table. Once again, I had a rough time of it, at one point being in for $140.   What hurt was that I hit a straight flush draw on the flop three times, so naturally I had to stay to the river.   On all three times, people were betting and raising.   Of course, none of them came.   I know I’m playing right; I’m just having some bad luck.   I did take a quite a few pots, be they were all small.   Every time I got into a decent pot, someone would suck out on me.   That’s poker.   By the last hour, I did manage to catch some pots and end up losing $68 for the ...

7-11-18   (Wednesday) Though I went to bed at around 8 PM needing some sleep from getting up so early, I found myself waking up every two hours for whatever reason.   I don’t know if it was the mattress or just not being used to sleeping somewhere not my home…it has been a while since I’ve been on a vacation.   At 5 AM, I got up and did a short jog through the Fremont Experience and down to the Canister Shops and back.   I didn’t jog my usual time because I knew that I would be walking pretty much all day, so getting to my daily goal of six miles would not be an issue.   This is how I will likely do my exercise all week…jog early before the sun comes up and then walk, walk, walk. I showered and headed over to Sam’s Town to slide my card.   I got the lowest 10x and 6x.   I had a veggie omelet at the buffet and then decided I was going to full pay deuces for a hundred, double or nothing.   I was 2300 points away from renewing my Sapphire...

7/10/18 We started trash pickup early and finished by 8 AM, so I was on my way to Vegas by 8:30.   I arrived in Vegas at 12:30, too early to check in.   I stopped at South Point and jumped into the 2/4 half-kill game.   I lost the first couple of hands.   This was a very different table as someone raised almost every hand.   And many stayed in, so the pots were always pretty big.   I was down $20 early, but I was dealt pocket Aces in the big blind and I raised.   Almost everyone stayed in.   The flop produced an Ace, so I kept the betting going.   By the time it was over, I had won a pot of $55.   I was card dead for a while and draining some of the profit, but I was dealt A/Q of diamonds and raised.   Flop was a K/J/8, no diamonds.   I made the c-bet and three stayed in.   The turn was a blank and I checked as did the other two.   The river was a 10 giving me the nuts.   I bet and one guy called as the r...

The run went just fine though humidity even in the early morning is high.  I was sweating quite a bit when I finished.  I super cleaned the house today, which kept me active and I even finally changed the guest bathroom light.  I'm not sure why I don't mop more often, it really doesn't take that long. The swim went fine and once again, I skipped the sauna. Food intake: chicken fingers (150); banana (100); chicken nuggets (900)

It was another hot day and it was another day I didn't do much of anything other than the run in the morning and the swim at night.  I'm not happy with non-action and I know I will have to get my ass in gear after I return from Vegas. Food intake: chicken fingers (300); chicken nuggets (1000)

This heat wave drains every part of me.  I suppose I could have gotten to somewhere with air conditioning but for whatever reason, I just hung around at home. I did get all of my steps in with the early run.  I also finally did the swim though I didn't bother with the sauna as I had been sweating all day as it was. Food intake: grapes (100); chicken fingers (300); chicken nuggets (650)

Blistering heat yesterday.  As high as 114...stupid hot. I went to the moves and saw And Man and the Wasp  and enjoyed it a lot.  Did not go swimming.  I'm not sure what's going on in my head lately, but I know I have to get my run in very early before the heat hits and I was just not into swimming after the movie. I did take the trolley and began reading the book for the club meeting to Hazard Center.  I enjoyed a nice vegetable omelet and fruit at the Double Tree Hotel cafe and then simply came back.  It was easy and nice. Food intake: grapes (150); breakfast omelet and fruit (500); chicken nuggets (650)

What a miserable day it was.  I did get my run in and finished by 8 AM, but that was the only good news.  I had planned on a Trolley ride somewhere, but Cindy texted she was going to take the day off and if I'd stay around the property in case I was needed.  I said I would and for the rest of the day, I did nothing but play poker on the computer and watch TV. I was hot and I had zero energy to do anything.  I was hungry today and I did manage to not cheat, I did have two portions of grapes...of course no big deal.  What I am most disappointed is that I did not do my swim.  When I got to the gym, there were old people just wading in the pool and in the other lanes.  I just didn't want to deal with it and got back into my car and came home.  I did finish watching Glow , which got better as it went along and end up very pleased with it.  Other than that, there was nothing to be proud of today.  The diet didn't suffer too much, but I f...

It was July 4, so the roads were clear and there were a few more joggers, like myself, getting in the day's run.  It turned out to be a pretty lazy day for me. It was hot and everything was closed or on holiday schedule, so I didn't do much.  I had dinner at the folks and Papa made chop suey and rice.  Not bad for the diet.  The Family Fitness Center was a ghost town with only about 15 people working out.  The pool was all mine.  I sat in the sauna for about ten minutes.  The fireworks were being set off at the Santee Park, so people were in all the parking lots with their kids getting ready to see it.  I got home when they began.  I'm not a big fireworks fan, but I did walk out side to see one just so that I could say I did. Food intake: grapes (150); chicken fingers (300); chop suey (500); chicken nuggets (400)

Big Tuesday as I should call of them now.  I got up at 4 AM and was on the run by 4:30 and back by 6.  Trash went without a hitch and we were done by 8:30. I went to the movies to see Welcome to My Neighborhood , which was good.  I enjoyed to popcorn, but would be okay with the snack pack.  I could kick myself because I changed socks and forgot to put the Fitbit counter back in so it never calculated the extra steps for the rest of the day.  Even without them, I was over 15 K, so I have no doubt I'm close to 20 K for the day. I had a good swim and sauna.  The gym was slow considering tomorrow's holiday and many were out getting drunk..ah...the good ol' days.  I watched very little TV, only You Tube, which I'm rather obsessed with lately.  I know the day needs to come when I get rid of Dish.  I just don't seem to care about regular TV all that much, but I do still have so many of the TV shows I can't miss.  We'll see.  Fortunat...

This marks the half way point to my 365 day challenge.  I will have to admit I am very proud of myself.  I have lost 80 pounds, I am feeling much better and healthier, and I can now look at my reflection in a shopping window and not turn away.  Of course, I say the half way point, which means I have another 182 days to go...no easy task.  I have been very fortunate in that I have not had an illness or an injury that has stopped me from my daily run (I can call it that now, as I jog much more than I walk).  Yes, I will never run , but rather jog at an old man's pace, but I'm still damn happy that I can. The big question is going to be, what will happen when it's over?  I'm fairly sure I will keep it up, but we just can't predict what will happen next.  My fingers are crossed that I can continue on this challenge and worry about that when the time comes.  I did my jog in the morning and as promised, I went somewhere to do some more walking durin...

I got my jog in early as I was going to Pechanga.  Martin arrived at 10 and we got there by 11. I had their chicken teriyaki bowl, which was excellent and I was disciplined to eat only a small bit of the rice.  The game was fun, but again, I got consistently beat on the river.  I lost $117 for the day.  I have NO idea why I am running so poorly at poker.  I know I am playing correctly, though there are the occasional stupid plays, but overall I consider myself a good player.  I'm just getting beat up for the past while.  I don't intend to stop, but my luck HAS to change sometime. I went to the pool earlier than usual which was good as I had the pool to myself and there was plenty of room in the sauna for a good 13 minute sweat.  I finished the day with over 15 K. I have made the decision that one way I can combat the disappointing 9 pound monthly loss is to find something  to do every afternoon or at least during the day other than sitt...

I am a little bummed this morning.  It was weigh in time and though I did lose 9 pounds (216), it was a pound short of my 10 pound monthly goal.  Now, I don't have a reason for this.  I didn't cheat, I didn't miss any of my jogging days, and really nothing else out of the routine was different.  This only thing I can consider is that it's the natural thing to start losing less as there is less to lose.  I'm not sure if I believe the whole plateau business.  Biology says if you burn more calories than you consume, it will find that energy in your fat, which I still have plenty of around my chest, hips, stomach, and abdomen.  I suppose I should be a little more angry than I am.  I'm still very pleased to have lost this much and I should celebrate the success I've had since starting.  Considering tomorrow marks the half way point to this challenge, I lost more than 80 pounds.  Every one has been very complimentary.  I think it's hit ...