365 Days and Counting

It wasn't one of my strongest days.  The run went just fine but aside from getting in about 15 K steps for the day, that was about it.  I did not do my swim because I was at Mom and Pop's dinner late helping Pop get set up with Facebook. Dinner was delicious but again, not the most diet friendly dinner with pasta, carrots, and jello.  I even had a few cookies...there's some shame there.  Overall, it's difficult to figure out the calories but I'm going to over shoot my guess and say 1200.  I went to the movies and saw The Meg , which turned out to be a little better than I thought.  I seem to be adjusting to the new Movie Pass rules just fine.  It simply means I may have to wait and extra week or two to see the newer movies, which is fine.  I did discover a site that sells gift cards at a discount.  I bought one $50 Regal card for $37.50.  It works just fine.  How they do this is amazing to me, but I'm glad I found it.  I lo...

It was one of the better days for me on the exercising side.  I did my run in the morning and then the trash pick up.  I also distributed the monthly newsletter to the park and did my swim in the evening.  All told, I did over 23 K steps for the day. I saw the movie AXL, which was totally predictable and pretty silly but I didn't mind it as much as I thought.  The Parkway Plaza certainly wasn't very busy as I notice more and more stores closing.  It seems it's just a matter of time before shopping malls are going to be a relic of the past.  Food intake: fruit (150); chicken fingers (300); popcorn (500); shrimp (600)

It wasn't my best day calorie wise.  I have no doubt I'm again over the limit, but I don't think by a lot.  The run in the morning went fine.  I Mom-sat for almost four hours and during that time I think I may have eaten 9 oatmeal cookies.  We'll say 450 calories, which is a lot but again, nothing to be too upset about.  I will say that I absolutely love these cookies with my coffee and will no doubt do it again next Monday.  Sometimes, I think I deserve a little something for all the work I've done.  Otherwise, it's a small reward. Cindy had me give out the 3rd St. bills so my entire steps today was almost 14K.  I did not get the swim in as all the lanes were taken and I didn't feel like waiting.  Again, missing the swim is not a problem.  I don't want to miss the run if I can ever prevent it. Pop called and asked if I'd order him an oil less deep fryer.  I will won't to show them how to work it, so I bought some breaded shrimp...

I finished my run and waited for Martin.  We went to Pechanga and played poker.  I had another miserable day getting bad beat after bad beat.  It was a disaster.  I played very well and it didn't matter.  Players just kept catching the perfect river cards against me.  It's as frustrated as I've have ever been at poker.  I have decided I need to change it up and try a different game.  After returning, I did my swim.  There's not much more to report. Food intake: chicken pieces (300); chicken fingers (400); chicken nuggets (600)

What a complete lazy day it was!  I did my run in the morning and tried to nap but that didn't work.  I played poker on the computer and had one of the most disastrous days ever losing over 200 million and all from bad beats and coolers...it was almost comical.  I didn't do ANYTHING but this and watch TV...horrible! I did get my swim in, which was good...had the pool to myself again.  However, though I stayed in my calorie count and did all my exercises, I simply felt like a slug.  I honestly HAVE to stop doing that. Food intake: grapes (100); watermelon (75); chicken fingers (400); fries (300); chicken nuggets (600).

It was a good day all things considered, though I did fudge a little on the choice of eats.  I did my run in the morning and manage an hour or so nap.  I turned in my time sheet and end up going to a movie The Happytime Murders , which turned out to be better than I expected.  I stuck to the kid's pack but today I decided to treat myself to a box of candy (360 calories) for no other reason than I thought it was time.  I'm thinking I can begin to allow myself a little leeway in the calorie intake department.  I will still try to stay in the 1500 calorie range, but if I were to get to 2000 on an occasional day, there is honestly no problem as long as it's the exception and not rule.  I have lost a lot of weight, so it's time to enjoy just a little bit more. After the movie, I went to McDonalds to have some fries and a large diet (the fries were free).  They were 350 calories.  Again, not the end of the world. The swim at the gym went fine as I h...

It was a good day for the diet.  I did my run early and finally got back into the gym and the pool. I also kept the food to a minimum.  I know I've been up and down on this whole diet thing in this blog, but I do understand that it's completely normal.  Let's face it, you are up and down by the day all the time regardless of a specific reason.  I do know that things are going to slow down as I lose more and more weight in that though I would LOVE to break the 200 mark at the first of the month, and it was part of the goal, I am prepared for that not to happen.  I may have to wait until the October weigh in, and that's okay too.  I was bored a bit so I went to the movies again.  I saw Crazy Rich Asians and though it was completely predictable, I did honestly enjoy it.  They tried hard to make it and old school romantic comedy, and there were some elements there, but it really didn't hit that mark, but I still found it fun. Food intake: chicke...

Well, it certainly seems like I've been in the doldrums lately, but the days keep passing by and I am still okay and the diet is coming along, regardless of the results, I know I'm being careful as much as reasonable.  The point, again, is to plug along day to day and just worry about today--not yesterday--not tomorrow.  I was up and finished with my run by 6 AM.  I went to the dentist to get my new crown.  The made it right there in the office.  Dental work is SO expensive now.  With all the ex rays, exams, and the crown, it came to almost $3,000; however, I was only responsible for $825.  Thank goodness, I added the $20 per month on my medicare for the dental and vision coverage.  I have two more crowns to go along with some major cleaning, so I'm looking at another couple of grand down the road.  That's okay.  I'm very happy with the office and the dentist. Dinner at Mom and Pop's went okay though he once again served me pasta....

Things are turning just a little south for me and this diet.  My head just doesn't seem to be in the right place. I haven't cheated and though I didn't do the swim today, it's just that I'm feeling like nothing is happening.  I'm feeling like I'm at a plateau.  No doubt all of this is just in my head, but I have no doubt I will move on and things will swing back.  I have my weigh in on Sept 1, which is just eight days from now, and in my head I'm expecting little or no progress.  This doesn't make a lot of sense considering I'm STILL staying around the 1500 calorie range and I'm STILL running every morning and swimming most nights.  So, what's the problem?  Again...there's just something in my head. Trash pick up was easy and light and so we were done before 8 AM.  My Movie Pass would only allow me to see a movie at 5 PM, so I waited and finally saw Mile 22 , which turned out to be pretty good if not a little silly with all the expl...

I have just noticed that it appears that I have missed a day writing these blogs.  I have NO clue how I did that being that I am so careful to write these each and every day.  However, there is no going back and I suppose I will find out for sure on December 31--not that any of this really matters anyway. I had a tough time with the run yesterday having to walk more of it than usual.  I don't know if this is anything to be concerned about or not.  I will look for a pattern.  At least I did get the job done, barely.  I stayed with my mom on Monday while Papa bowled.  I suppose I will have to add this to my regular weekly schedule.  Three hours every Monday morning.  Of course, this is no big deal.  Mom usually doesn't need a lot of help, just getting her water, or something to eat or read.  I just talk with her for a while and I play poker on the computer.  The swim went just fine.  I did have a slight break in my die...

It's late afternoon as I write this because I usually write these in the early morning for the previous day and today I assumed I'd remember to write it after my run, but of course, I did forget. So, lesson learned, write them in the morning and be done with it. It wasn't the best day, eating wise, but a good day on the exercise.  I did my jog in the morning and pretty much hung around the house playing poker.  I did my swim at 4 PM because I would be with Cindy late, and was happily surprised to have a lane available.  After the swim I came home and changed and headed out to pick up Cindy at the Old Town Station.  I was early so I took a drive up the Mission and around and then found a parking spot and walked around Old Town.  Cindy texted that the train was running late, so I had a Corona light beer, which was very pleasant.  Sometimes, I forget just how nice it is (even when paying for over-priced drinks) to just sit and relax and enjoy the atmospher...

The run went okay though for the first time, I had a small pain in my right knee I had not experience before.  It didn't last long and it hasn't hurt since, but it certainly got my attention.  The last think I need is an injury at this point so close to my goals.  I took Cindy to the train station in Old Town and then enjoyed an Iced Tea at Starbucks playing WSOP and I began reading this month's book for book club. There are issues with water leaking into the club house that I'm dealing with and having to contact the plumber and the tenants.  The leak is on and off, which makes it difficult.  The plumber never got back to me and the leak has stopped...for now. My Movie Pass has hit the skids and now only have one or two movies available for free.  It will still be okay as I don't mind waiting a week or two for certain titles, but the writing is on the wall.  I certainly got my money's worth. The swim went well. Food intake: grapes (200); chic...

The run was uneventful but successful, however, there was no swim because a leak in the club house kept me there with the plumber and it was late when I finished, though I suppose to be honest, I could have gone but used it as an excuse...shame on me there. It seems on a daily basis I'm having to play the mind games to get this challenge done.  I have made my steps commitment up all year, but I'm still having to talk myself into each and every thing I do for it.  I'm always debating in my head.  I suppose I can just chalk it up to mood changes.  Food intake: chicken fingers (300); grapes (100); fries (300); chicken nuggets (700).

The run went fine though getting started is always a small challenge.  I am enjoying the Podcasts that I listen to and they have made a significant benefit to getting the job done as it makes time seem to go a bit faster.  I'm still having bowel movement issues, though not serious.  I really don't want to use laxatives often but will resort to them if I get more than three days.  It's not too surprising except that I've made an effort to eat fruit every day, but I suppose eating just protein the rest of the day hasn't helped.  I had dinner at the folks and Mom actually ate with us.  There was something odd about the food this time.  At first I thought perhaps the ketchup was bad, but I soon realized that it was the shrimp, which had been fried in oil.  It was leaving an oil taste in my mouth.  I'm guessing because I haven't eaten anything fried for months that I've become sensitive to it.  The swim went fine.  Once again on a ...

Trash day so I was up at 4 AM and did my jog, which went well.  We were done with the trash by 8 AM. I went to the movies and saw Mission Impossible: Fallout  again as it was the only film available on my Movie Pass card.  It  certainly seems that the card has lost its luster and is declining.  I well not renew it next year unless things get better. I came back home and pretty much did little else other than play poker on the computer and watch TV; however, I did manage 18 K along with the swim, which also went well. Food intake: chicken pieces (400); popcorn (500); chicken nuggets (500); grapes (100)

The lack of sleep is becoming an issue.  Why I am waking up with only 5+ hours night after night is puzzling.  I do like getting the run over with but I know I have to get more sleep.  I did manage a two hour nap, but it takes too long to wake back up.  We'll see as time goes on what I can or will do about it. I mom-sat for Subby from 8 to 12 so he could bowl and do some shopping.  She never woke up, which is good for me as I wouldn't know what to do for her if she needed help.  The swim went well and after missing a day, I was glad to get back to it. Food intake: watermelon (100); chicken pieces (400); salmon steak (300); chicken nuggets (300)

The run this morning was okay; however, I think I'm just getting more and more tired as I didn't jog the final lap.  I did manage over 15 K for the day, cut I did not do my swim.  Martin called and we went to Pechanga to play poker.  Once again I lost badly constantly getting hammered on the river and bad luck.  I have to start thinking I either need to change my game or possibly quit playing...I don't know.  I've never experience and a bad luck streak that has gone on this long.  I'm not sure what I'm doing anymore. I am in a bit of a slump spirit wise.  It could be the diet (I'm having some intestinal issues once again); it could be just another phase; it could simply be that I'm tired.  I have not been getting much sleep for the past couple of weeks.  For whatever reason, I'm averaging only six hours and many times less than that.  My attempts at taking a nap haven't work out as well though I will continue to try.  Let's hope...

The run went fine.  Again, I tried to nap afterward with no success.  I think it's just a matter of time until my body gets into the routine.  We will see. It was poker all day until I went swimming.  I had the entire pool to myself, which is always a bonus.  Food intake: grapes (150); chicken breasts (500); steak fries (500); chicken nuggets (300)

I once again woke up too early, but it is what it is.  I finished my run (a little more tired and walking than usual).  At 8, I headed over to Papa's to babysit mom.  I was there for over two hours while Papa got his haircut and did some shopping.  Mom never woke up.  I stopped at the store to pick up some things and spent the rest of the day at home.  I'm still not doing the things that I said I would this month.  The heat lately has simply been suppressible to the point where I don't want to do anything.  It's an excuse and something I need to do something about. I did get my swim in and it felt good.  Sometimes you get into the water and there's a jolt to the system but you adjust by the end of the first lap, but it just felt good to be in the water this time.  I bought some french fries because I wanted to see if these oil-less fryer really worked and I was amazed just how good it does.  The fries looked and tasted like th...

Getting up early in the morning to run is becoming more and more easy...which I don't know is a good thing are not.  My plan for taking a nap afterward is not working out as well so far.  I either can't get asleep or I almost always get a text from someone about something that jars me awake.  So is a little bug I still need to work out. The run went well.  I'm very happy that I have yet to have an injury or illness and that my old left foot pain has not surfaced in a long time.  I'm very grateful for this. Hugh called and asked if I'd meet him and Val for a movie at the UTC mall at 11:45.  We met and saw a movie Without a Trace  or something.  It was a very slow movie but turned out to be good.  I liked that mall a lot and will come back to explore it on another day. I'm very tired of this heat.  It is not letting up.  When it was time to go to the gym, I got there only to fine all the lanes busy and just starting out, so I le...

The morning run went just fine.  I believe I'm going to have to find a more varied list of podcasts to listen in the morning as the Vegas one's are getting a little old and they post them so arbitrary it's difficult to follow.  We'll see how that goes.  I will say here, though, that listening to them has been a real game changer as it takes my mind off the running and seems to make the trip go by faster.  I got a call from Papa saying I will have dinner there and if I will come by earlier to adjust the toilet seat.  I had already assumed I would not be coming so I had just eaten some chicken, so today will be another Wednesday over the goal caloric day. It has just occurred to me that with Donna going to Lake Tahoe for the next week and a half, that it will fall on me to give Subby a break from watching Mom and allowing him to do shopping and other errands, so it seems I'll be going over there more often.  The swim went well and again, being a Wednesd...

Trash day so it was up at 4 AM and out of the house and on my run.  I returned by 6 and relaxed a bit.  There were no clouds, so it began getting hot early and even though we finished at 8 AM, I was still sweating up a storm.  I was thinking that regardless of the weather and the dirtiness of the job, I actually am enjoying the work.  With so many days of just sitting around and watching TV and computer poker playing, it's nice to do something physical and responsible.  Cindy did call and ask that I check with resident in space 146 who was complaining of water pressure problems.  I couldn't find anything wrong and there was no problem with neighbors, so it seems she'll need to call her own plumber.  I went to the movies to see The Spy Who Dumped Me .  I had high hopes for this and was disappointed.  It simply wasn't as funny as I had hoped.  It wasn't terrible, just not very good.  It seems the my Movie Pass is now going to be a...

Getting up as early as I do to run is sometimes a little rough and though I'm trying to take a nap for a couple of hours, sometimes that doesn't work, so I end up being tired most the day.  This might be a transition period as my body adjusts or I may have to reconsider.  Until then, I'll continue this getting up at last by 5 AM.  The days are hot, so running early in the morning is necessary.  The run went fine and I also walked the park to hand out more flyers.  All total, I walked almost 17 K, so things are good there.  The swimming went fine but other than that for whatever reason, I still feel like I'm not getting enough work in to lose more weight, but who the hell knows? Food intake: grapes (200); chicken strips (300); chicken pieces (300); chicken nuggets (600)

The run went just fine.  I find I'm able to actually pick up the pace of the jogging every so often in a way I hadn't in the past.  I think my legs are becoming stronger...but why wouldn't they after all this time.  Whether or not it makes a difference I have no real clue.  I did do some shopping and replenished my chicken supply.  You'd think going into my eight month, I'd be getting completely sick of chicken, but truth be told, I'm enjoying it as much today as the first.  That has been a major reason as to why I'm able to maintain this diet.  I'm not craving food very often and able to stay within my goals.  The swim at the gym went just fine.  The bowel movement regularity is still the only big struggle, but not a major situation, but one I'd love to beat. Food intake: grapes (200); chicken pieces 2X (600); chicken nuggets (600)

I did my run in good time getting home at 6 AM, however, the rest of the day turned out to be a bust as I never left the house.  Of course, it's not the worst thing and not the first time and it won't be the last time, but it just never feels right.  I took a nap for a couple hours and was woken when the phone rang with Martin wanting to talk about his trip tomorrow to Vegas.  I played poker on the computer and then Terry called wanting to play Poker Stars, so we played for a few hours and then I watched the rest of Infinity War  and some you tubes before heading to the gym for my swim, which went fine. I'm on the boarder of my calorie intake as it was one of those "hungry" days, which seem to happen every so often--usually when I just sit around the house.  The cure for that, of course, is to stop just sitting around the house.  I know I thought I'd use August as an added walking month, but so far I haven't done that so much. Food intake: chicken te...

Woke up early and was done with the run by 6 AM.  I laid down and manage to get another hour or so sleep before being woke up from a text from Cindy reminding me to turn in my time sheet.  I got dressed and went to the office. I drove up to Carlsbad and surprised Jon's kids with a visit and inviting them to the movies.  Nolan and Gabbi went but Jack stayed home.  We saw Christian Robinson . which turned out to be better than I had anticipated.  I learned the my movie pass isn't good for that theater.  Nolan, who didn't recognize me at first at the door is now driving with his own car.  Gabbi has always been very distant with me (my son tells me that it's her personality) is still very quiet around me and everything I want to talk to her, I need to initiate.  She is always very reluctant to give me a hug goodbye.  I think I was hurt about this for a while, but I've learned now that it's just how she is. After dropping them off, I went to H...

I got my run in early.  I decided to go to downtown using the Trolley to beat the heat a little and to get in more steps.  I think that in order to grab two or three more pounds this month, I'm going to add to my step count some.  I realize it's a shot in the dark but it certainly can't hurt me either.  I haven't given up on going under the 200 lbs line, but I'm getting myself prepared in case I don't. The walk went well and the ocean breeze felt good.  Seaport Village has stayed the same for years and I enjoyed a bit of memory lane walking around the island.  I was very tempted to have a beer and though it would be perfectly fine if I did, I resisted and headed back home.  The Trolley was not crowded at all.  I believe I might take another trip to Old Town next week.. I got back home at 2 PM and the water was still off for another hour.  I tried to nap just a little to no avail.  Terry got home safe and sound and I got in my swim....

I woke up late (guess my body needed the rest) and so I decided that I would not do my run today and perhaps give my legs a small rest; however, I would and did make sure I still got in my 10 K steps, which I did by the end of the day. I walked the park handing out flyers and then went to the mall and watched Three Identical Strangers , which was very good.  I stuck to the 200 calorie kid's pack.  I walked a little more around the mall and then headed over to Mom and Pop's for dinner.  Mom didn't eat with us and pop made a chicken casserole, which was very good both in taste and low in calories.  Aug 1, so it was weigh in day and I weighed 208 pounds, an 8 pound loss for the month of July.  It's about what I expected considering the Las Vegas trip and that my body has less fat to burn.  The big question now is, will I break the 200 mark Sep 1, or will I just barely miss it and have to wait until October.  We shall see.  I will say that I am ve...

It was trash day, so I was up a 4 AM and made my run.  Trash pickup went without a hitch and we were done by 8 AM.  I went to Costco and go some more chicken nuggets and sodas.  It was then off to the movies where I watched Mission Impossible: Fallout .  My movie pass wouldn't allow my to use it for this movie.  It seems that now I will have to wait a couple weeks before I can see certain BIG titles.  I could have waiting an hour or so and seen another movie, but I was in the mood for this and so I paid this time around.  I suppose it doesn't kill me to occasionally pay for a movie.  It was very good. I did my swim and oddly enough on a Tuesday night, there was no one using the pool.  I have no clue when a good night is because there are times it's always busy and other times not and now it seems the night of week doesn't matter.  I'm just glad to be done with it. Food intake: fruit (100); chicken pieces (300); popcorn (500); chick...