365 Days and Counting

Well, it now is very obvious that I have missed three days somewhere, somehow during this past year as it is Dec 31 and this report is the for the 30th--remember, the reports are made the next day and reporting the previous day. So...where did those three days go? I would love to say that I've ended this challenge with a bang, but truth be told, the month of December was, without question, the worst month of the diet.  There was the Las Vegas trip, all the candy, and all of the food from the many meetings with friends and holiday parties.  Of course, it really helped that I had lost a lot of weight and looked as good as I could have hoped.  Weigh in is tomorrow.  I wholly expect to be back over 200 lbs.  I will not panic and I will not get down on myself.  I will simply get back up and on January 1, I will head into 2019 with a new set of rules for myself and challenges.  The most important one is NO MORE CANDY, with the one exception of the small ...

I'm throwing this together at the last minute because, once again, I forgot to do it.  I remember, then I forget.  The run and the swim went just fine.  I did go back to the Santee gym and though the pool isn't as nice as the one on Navajo, I'm going to wait until the first of the year so they can get their pool heater fixed. That's all I have to say today...again...I can be an idiot sometimes.

I manage a good swim and run this morning.  I managed the run with no unusual walking areas other than what I normally do.  It was unusually cold this morning at 37 degrees.  Because I wear sweats the only place I really feel cold is my hands even though I do wear gloves.  It would be undo-able without them.  My ears are covered with the earphones.  I could put on my hoodie, but I haven't needed to as of yet. I went to see Bumblebee which turned out to be just okay.  The reviews have been quite positive and I was expecting a better movie, but it was silly in spots and though Hailey Stein-something was a cutie-pie and did a good acting performance, it was just too campy for me.  It crazy that Hollywood continues to have these massive explosions that send the actors flying in the air and they always get up and act like nothing has happened.  Stupid! I came home and caught up with most of my You Tubes and was in bed by 5:30.

I managed to get both my run AND my swim in this morning.  Of course, this should be no big deal as I am supposed to be doing it every morning; however, the holidays and the pool heater down has stopped that.  It has been four days since my last swim and this morning I could certainly feel it in my arms.  It felt good to get it down even though I did have to go to the Santee facility.  It was okay, but the pool is not even close to as nice as the one on Navajo.  My friend Dave and his wife, who now live in Kansas City, came to visit and check out the park and my place.  We had lunch at Chili's (the smokehouse burger was delicious).  I didn't do much of anything else.  This concludes all of the holiday visits and dinners and celebrations.  I was busy almost every day for ten days or so.  It's nice to be wanted and loved, but it's also nice to back at my routine.  I long for "nothing to do" days. I will admit it's been a terrible ...

I have no idea how I screwed this up, but with only four days left in the year, I should be at Day 361, so some how, I've lost three days.  No doubt I skipped days, miscounted, whatever.  I'll take a look see later. I got back to my run this morning.  When I miss a couple days, I can really feel it in my legs.  I did get through the course.  I did go to the gym, but the heater in the pool is once again down.  I didn't find out until I had dressed and put my feet into it...it was only then did I see the sign on the other door that the heater was down.  I changed back into my street clothes and headed home.  For the next couple of days, I'll go to the Santee location. I will HAVE to stop eating cookies in the morning with my coffee.  Later today, I will take all this bad food and leave it in the clubhouse for whoever would like to have it. I went to the house for Mom's birthday.  Papa made pasta for her, me, Larry, Donna, and Jose....

As the year comes to a close and my 365 days closes in, I'm thrilled with the outcome even though these past days have been a cheaters paradise.  I'm certainly eating WAY too much, but as I said, come Jan 1, I'm back to it.  It's nice to enjoy the holidays with family and not worry so much about every calorie going into my mouth. Christmas Day: no run, no swim.  I went to Jon Jr's and had our annual breakfast...excellent.  The game theme I had for my gifts this years seemed to work fine.  We had a wonderful time. I came back home and did the final touches on cleaning the house.  Lots of rain today and driving home was treacherous at times.  Christina and Jim came over to check out my place and the the park and we watched some of Phantom of the Opera  and finally went to Donna's for dinner and Secret Santa.  I end up with a battery pack for my Iphone (finally a gift I could use).  Kids also gave a Starbucks card and a cute glasses h...

Christmas morning and I took the day off.  The gym is closed and it's raining outside...I can take a hint.  I went to the store to pick up a Christmas arrangement for Cindy and card and then picked her up at 5 for the annual Chinese dinner.  We were met there with Pam, Rick, Rocky, Donna, and Larry.  Dinner was good. Cindy and I then went to Kensington to view the Christmas lights on all the great old houses there. I didn't go to bed and just stayed up until my security check knowing I would be sleeping in anyway. That's about it.

I came SO close to not running this morning.  I set the alarm for 10 PM having gone to sleep at 5:30.  That was good (I'll do that for now on) and then set it for 2 AM.  However, after the security check, I couldn't sleep for about an hour or so and finally did with more crazy dreams.  I woke up at 2, begrudgingly got up, and then...went back to bed...laid there for about a minute and tore the covers open and got back up and did my run.  I already know I'm taking Christmas off, so I certainly didn't want to have THREE days in a row...danger, danger, Will Robinson.  The run was okay, though some walking where I shouldn't have.  The swim at the gym was amazing!  They turned up the water temperature.  I'm sure it has to be a mistake.  It was almost too hot, but wow, did it ever feel good.  Also, they weren't cleaning the men's locker room today so I had the place to myself.  Of course, the gym is closed tomorrow for Christmas, s...

no run...no swim.  Shit!  Something just was not right this morning.  My sleep was strange and the voice in my head said no though my guilt is strong.  I have no idea why I am self-destructing these final two weeks of the challenge.  Hopefully, the new year will bring a new strength. On a good note, I went and saw Aquaman  and it was great.  The reviews are luke-warm, but I'm good with it.  I saw it on 3D IMAX and I do love the IMAX, but I could do without the 3D.  It was a gorgeous film and the Nicole Kidman role, which turned out to be more than I expected, was a nice surprise.  This is one I will purchase when it's available on streaming.  I came home and that's about it.  Like I said...guilt is at an all time high right now.

My run went better this morning, though there was a couple of times I needed to walk, but certainly not as bad as yesterday.  Either way, I'm making it around the entire route...about five and half miles.  I did make my swim this morning.  Again, they always decide to clean the men's locker room at 3 AM, the same time I'm there so I'm constantly dodging the cleaners, usually women.  I always say good morning and change as fast as possible.  I personally don't care if they see my old man naked ass or not, but I certainly hate always being in the situation of making them uncomfortable.  I go as fast as possible and try to wait until they're out of sight both changing in to and out of my bathing suit. I saw Mary Poppins  at the La Jolla AMC theaters, so I had to drive.  It was wonderful.  Emily Blunt was perfect choice for the role of Mary.  My only criticism: one or two too many songs. Aside from that, I came home, watched some You Tub...

So...I'm not sure why, but my running (jogging walking really) has been very labored lately.  My legs are fatigued and I don't know why.  I'm having a very difficult time getting through my usual running segments and am experiencing some slight pain in my left knew.  What is going on?  I didn't swim today.  For whatever reason, I was VERY worn out after the run.  I can't help but wonder if my adding more calories to my diet has had on my stamina...it seems the opposite would be true, but I honestly don't know any other thing that has changed.   All the more reason to find out after Jan 1 when I go back for a couple months to the stringent diet.  We shall see.  I'm hoping this is just a temporary condition. It didn't help that today was the Christmas lunch the company treated us.  It was a Olive Garden.  I stuck to just one bread stick (which wasn't that good anyway), salad and a pasta dish that I only ate about 2/3.  How...

I can certainly confirm that I'm in an exercise slump.  Yes, I got my run in, but I had to do a little more walking than I'd like to plus my knees were aching a little bit and I simply don't seem to have the energy lately.  I am sure that this is only a temporary condition.  It's just a question of how long.  I also suspect that because I'm eating more, and granted, some bad decisions on the choice of foods might have something to do with.  I will take care of this at the first of the year.  I've settled that these holidays are just not worth giving up, so pay for it in January.  It seems every other day, someone or something is feeding me.  Last night, Papa made BBQ chicken and potatoes..delicious though it was somewhat cold as we waited for Mom.  I'll say she was not herself at all last night.  She barely spoke, ate just a little and was constantly nodding off at the table.  I'm sure her time is growing very short. I'm ready f...

So...today...no run...no swim....why?  The previous night, I think I mentioned that I simply did no sleep will, waking up pretty much every hour for no apparent reason other than strange dreams or bathroom runs.  I did manage the run and swim, but it was lethargic and strained.  Then to add things, I went to my grand child, Nolan's final high school holiday concert (he's a senior).  I didn't get home until after 9 PM and stayed up until 10 for my security check.  So, I knew I wasn't going to get up in four hours and run. I simply felt my body and I could use a day off.  I slept in to about 5 and I don't feel guilty for it.  It was time.  Yes, the final few months of the challenge have been  shot with holes with Vegas, sickness, and just plain tiredness.  I expect to finish up the year (two final weeks) and then start another new year ALL OVER AGAIN.  I know I'm added a couple pounds, but I will lose them by end of February.  ...

It was a rough day on the exercise stage.  First of all, I didn't have a good sleep, but the actual run was 50% walking (not all that bad in itself) as for whatever reason, my legs were just not having a good morning.  I was tired, tired, tired.  I did make it and came really close to not going to the gym, but I know myself...I can talk myself out of anything, so I knew I had to just get dressed and GO to the gym.  I managed my swim just fine, but again, a little more tired than usual.  Bottom line: I did my exercise albeit, at a slower pace.  I went to the movies and saw the animated Spiderman , which when I initially saw the previews thought I'd be skipping this one; however, the reviews turned out to be very good and so I gave it shot and sure enough it was quite good...not go see it again good, but certainly better than I thought.  It was very creative and honest to the comic book genre.  As always, I enjoy taking the Trolley as I can get ...

For crying out loud!  I nearly forgot to post this again!  I'm laying in bed and suddenly it occurs to me I didn't make this entry.  So, up I get and here it is. The run went just fine.  It was 52 degrees, which means no sweatshirt or gloves.  My hands still get a tad chilled, but it's all good.  I listened to Five Hundy and Two Morons podcasts...always makes the run go faster.  I'm surprised I'm still interested in Vegas themes considering this past year has been so horrible for me.  I did not post ONE winning trip, which has never happened to me before.  Yes, I am disillusioned, but there's a part of me that believes this will turn around...I certainly hope so.  I really have no other hobby that I can turn to.  After seeing movies back to back days, I decided to just stay home.  I did do a little shopping and picked up some new bulbs for the kitchen.  After installing them and crossing my fingers that the flickering ...

Well shit!  It appears I have once again forgotten to post yesterday.  Unbelievable!  When you consider I didn't miss a day for over 300 and now I've missed two in the last couple of weeks.  I have got to get it together.  So, I've seen TWO movies I was waiting for: The Favorite and  Mary, Queen of Scots.  The first, with Emma Stone was okay, but it was slow, not as humorous as the commercials led you to believe and the ending was terrible.  The latter was wonderful.  No surprises here...it's historical...but the acting was superb.  Both of the movies were courtesy of my Movie Pass, which as of late has not offered squat, but seems to like the Hillcrest Theaters.  The only downside is that I have to drive as the Trolley doesn't go anywhere near Hillcrest.  I had an Artisan pizza, which has almost no crust, which I like.  It still doesn't hold up to Pizza Hut's meat lovers, but it certainly was very good and much better...

It's my final day in Las Vegas.  Last night the music was so loud and the bass so thunderous that I woke up almost every hour.  The furniture was shaking in my room.  I've decided this is the last night and will go home this evening.  I hadn't planned on doing much Friday anyway and I did manage to get a lot in on Thursday. I played the 8/5 progressives at the Vue Bar and this time, the VP gods decided I had had enough and I didn't get any quads after the first hundred.  Then I didn't get any quads after the second hundred.  It was a very rough session. I went over to the GN and waited for them to open a 2/4 which they did at 8 AM.  I started out with a couple of small wins but then went card dead for the next three hours.  Then my old poker devil arrived.  I was dealt a straight and lost to a flush on the river despite raising every pass and then on the very next hand, I was dealt a diamond nut flush and again raised every pass and lost ...

I'm in a room close to the Fremont Experience (100% occupancy due to National Rodeo Meet).  It's horrible but I managed to get SOME sleep.  I started the day by playing at GN starting at 6 AM.  Currently, from midnight to 8AM, high hands each our start $300 (Aces full minimum) and carries over each hour.  When I started, it was a $500.  Four tables were going.  No one hit a high hand for the next two hours, so it starts at $700 at midnight.  I came the closest.  I was dealt pocket Aces and an Ace came on the flop.  I played carefully but the board never paired.  I did win the pot but that's it.  At 8 AM, it switches over to double premiums until 2 PM.  I had played for three hours, but was card dead for most of it and was blown off by river wins three times and end up leaving down $100...my poker losses continue.  I next went to Costco in Henderson to fill up the tank and then went to Skyline casino on Boulder Hwy. ...

I arrived in Las Vegas at 12:30 and met up with Catherine at Hooters, where she's staying.  We had a nice little chat but not for long as she is leaving today.  At least I had caught up with her before she left town. I went over to Mandalay Bay and walked around as the MLB Winter Meetings were going on.  I saw lots of ball players and TV analysis commentators I've watched for years.  It was fun seeing them in person.  The rodeo is also in town so the place was run over with cowboys as well.  My Pearl card allowed me to park in MGM properties for free...it worked great. I finally went to the D and it was just after 3, however, my room wasn't ready (first time that's ever happened, but she said it was because they were 100% booked as was pretty much everywhere), so i lugged my bags upstairs to the VUE bar and sat down to play the 8/5 BP progressives.  I played for the next hour and hit a straight flush for $89 and a quad.  I checked into my room...

In complete failure on my part, I did not run or swim today.  I'm not sick, I'm not too tired, and I'm not injured.  I'm doing trash pickup today and I'm driving to Las Vegas.  For whatever reason, I simply decided to take a day off.  I no doubt will get my 10 K steps in with the trash pickup and all the Vegas running around...and there will be.  I have many things planned.  I didn't do much for the day.  I did some shopping and cleaned the house in preparation for the trip.  I did finish The Marvelous Miss Mavel  season 2, and it was wonderful.  I'm just going to chuck this up a a failing day.  Fortunately, there's been very few of these for the year.

The run went fine but I stepped on a rock on (of all places) my right foot and now there's a bruise.  I suppose that's to be expected when you run at two in the morning with minimum lighting.  I did manage to still good a run in along with the swim, which I had the pool to myself--I always like that. I had a good night's sleep and I thought I needed to get out of the house, so I decided to go to the movies, after all, it's free with my subscription. I took the Trolley to Fashion Valley to see The Wife  with Glenn Close.  It was the only movie that I haven't already seen.  One of the things about this membership is that I use it a lot and am way ahead of the movies.  Of course, there are many I don't want to see--slasher or paranormal genres--and I also steer away from religious and war movies, so that leaves the kinds I do enjoy.  The Wife seemed okay but it was slow and predictable and I wasn't enjoying myself, so I left.  This is something I h...

Finished my run and swim by 4 AM.  Things went fine.  Book club at 9:30.  It was a good meeting and ran a little longer than most.  Pretty much every one admitted this wasn't a favorite.  Next meeting will be Jan 5. I considered going to the movies, but instead just cleaned up the place in anticipation of my Tuesday drive to Vegas.  I then got in a couple of episodes of The Marvelous Miss Maisel .  I'm really enjoying this season. I am so far behind in my serials.  I could be watching TV for the next 6 months every day and still not be caught up.  I think I ate way too much today.  The book club breakfast and my usual morning crackers and even had an extra ham scrambled breakfast, but the clincher was finishing off the package of chicken, which I knew as going to be over the top.  I sure all this exercise is countering all this extra eating I've been doing lately, or come January I'll have to start ALL OVER AGAIN!

After very weird dreams, I was up before 2 AM and did my run that went just fine.  I've figured out that I can jog without a hoodie when the temperature is at least 50 degrees or higher.  Below that (I always ask Alexa when the temperature is when I get up) and I know it's hoodie and gloves time.  I listened to a podcast I've found called Two Morons... that has two active working pit bosses who share their experiences  in the pits of the casino each week.  Sometimes, they get sidetracked with other stories, but overall, I am really enjoying their stories of things going on behind the scenes.  The shows are an hour long, which is just what I need for my run.  So, that's added to the rotation. I turned in my time sheet and Cindy tells me it appears that my job will be safe next year...we shall see and also gave me some new logo clothing for the job.  She also hinted that there is an outside shot of possibly getting a discount on my rent and she'...

Major thunderstorms hit the park during the day.  When I got up at 2 AM, the skies above were showing stars, so I began my run; however, soon rain was coming down and the last think I want to do is run in the rain not knowing how heavy it could become.  I headed back home so I only got in a few hundred yards.  However, I did get my swim in just fine.  I finished Ozark , which end up being pretty good.  I look forward to the next season, but like all of these Netflix original series, I'll have to wait a good year or more.  I didn't much of anything as the rain and lightning and thunder was huge pretty much all day.  Yes, we need the rain but does it have to be all at once?  Fortunately, it's supposed to clear up today and no new rains for the next week which is good considering I'm going to Vegas on Tuesday. There's always the danger of eating too much when I'm stuck in the house all day.  I stayed with chicken, but I had three large plate...

So, the rains came and this morning I was presented with a problem I have faced some many times in my life while I yo-yo my diets: If it rains, should I still run?  I could, of course, run on a treadmill at the gym, but I'm not too keen on that though I could.  OR, and here it is, I could just take the day off.  After all, it wouldn't hurt me...see, that's what I talkin' 'bout.  For the first 300+ plus (before the cold stoppage), there was never a question of whether or not I'd run, I'd simply get up and DO it.  Now, I'm starting to allow the thoughts to creep into my head that there are options.  This is my pitfall every time!  So, I got up and did my run.  Now, it wasn't raining and frankly, not even very cold.  I would not have run in the rain...that's where the line is, but it wasn't so I ran.  Fortunately for me, it did begin to rain, but I was on the last leg of my route and sprinted home (no harm in that).  The swim went ju...

I simply KNEW this day would come, where I would have missed a day of this blog.  Fortunately, it 334 days to do it.  But as I was swimming this morning, I was going over in my mind if I had done my blog of the day or not, and sure enough, I missed it.  What told me I missed it was that I didn't remember writing about seeing the movie The Green Book .  I knew this because it turned out to be one of my top 5 movies of the year and I would have been gushing over it and I know I didn't write about that.  So...damn!  I missed a day.  My apologies. The swim and run for the past two days have gone just fine.  Each morning when I begin, I feel a small twinge of a pull in my right hamstring.  This has been going on since I started back up after my cold; however, I'm careful to start out slowly and allow it to warm up as I jogged (trotted, really).  I am hopeful nothing will come of it.   And yes, I do stretch a little each morning ...

The run this morning went  very well.  At first I might have some problems with my left hamstring, but it soon smoothed out just fine.  It was a crispy 42 but with my sweatshirt and long sweat pants and gloves, I was just fine.  As a matter of fact, when I'm done and am taking everything off, I'm surprised that I do actually sweat quite a bit...even when it's cold like this.  The swim also went fine.  I did buy some new better quality googles and they worked really well.  It does really matter to buy quality.  I changed my Dish package again .  I found that I really miss the MLB network, so I went for 120 to 200 channels and it was only $16 more per month...that's all good.  I will need to remember that after 12 months, I'll be losing my $40 monthly discount and for at least a year, I'll be back to over $100 a month, put I'm still happy with my decision.  Many times, I watch MLB when doing other chores and enjoy their panels....

I bought a couple pairs of new swimming goggles.  I made the mistake of going cheap and that's what I got.  They finally did work and I got my swim in, but are very uncomfortable.  I will suck it up and go to Champs and spend the money for a good pair of googles.  My run went just fine.  I can feel it in my legs that I missed those eight days.  And with Las Vegas coming up soon, I'll need to make sure I keep going and manage to get something in there as well.  I'm so worried about the swimming. I took the Trolley to Mission Valley Center and saw Creed II , and yes, it was totally predictable.  Do you really think at the end he'd lose?  However, the movie was very well done, and I really enjoyed it.  I am loving my AMC subscription service.  I did email them saying that my gift cards never arrived and of course, on that same day, they arrived...two weeks late I might add.  But 20% off all refreshments make it worth it.  ...

Well...I'm finally back to jogging.  It was a good morning (2 AM) as the clouds were parting with this being between storms.  Of course, it's been eight days getting over this cold and Thanksgiving so my legs were a little wobbly and breath control in need of reconditioning, but it feels great to be back at it.  I wish I could say the same for the swim.  I got to the gym fine and into the pool, but after the second lap, my goggles broke.  Damn it!  I can not swim with them...I should say will not swim with them, so I ended it early.  There were two younger women cleaning the men's locker room so after my shower, I was careful not to flash them while dressing.  I tried to make it as a matter of fact and no big deal.  It's Dec 1 and that means weigh in.  I fully expected bad news considering I had not exercised AT ALL for eight days and my eating was not the best (I caved for the two for $5 McRib's...I love those damn things) and assorte...