New Adventures

I love and enjoy cooking.  I also love and enjoy watching people enjoy my food.  I've been talking about trying a catering, food truck, hot dog stand for years.  I'm not sure what actually pushed me to try "Soup of the Week".  I'm actually shocked at how well the first two weeks have gone.  I will need to get more serious about this.  I will be spending more time on it, I will have to find the time, but will be spending more time working out all the details.  There is a lot of kinks.   A lot of issues, but this is fun and exciting.  Its got my juices flowing!  It will be bigger and better.

My first big investment will definately be a bigger pot or two.  Thanks Tracy!  Wow what a time and space saver that was!  Thanks to Sam for letting me use his beer can chicken stand too! 

Hoping everybody enjoys the Spicy Chicken Tortilla soup this week.  Next week I was leaning towards a Brocolli Cheddar or a Corn Chowder.   I have to please my vegetarian wife and non meat lovers out there.  Thanks for the orders!

On a personal front.  Didn't get much exercise.  I need to find more time for this.  Exercising makes a huge difference.  Ate A+ all week.  Helps me a lot to make my lunches and plan out the dinners for the week.  There is no chance of splurging on crap and junk you don't need to eat.  I'm only down a 1lb a week.  But that is my goal.  1-2 lbs a week.  My current weight is 234.  34lbs to 200.  I want to be under 200 by June.  Well on my way.

Everyday is Friday!

New Year, New Start

Wow!  Its been awhile for me on here.  I'm just a huge, big, ass slacker.  No excuse, just haven't had the motivation to write.  I don't know why, I have lots to write about.  Just lacked the motivation to put hands to keyboard.  Thats the past this is a new year, a new start.

I took the last two month off from healthy changes.  The result, 15lbs of weight gain.  Lots of holiday treats.  I mean lots.  I knew it was going to happen.  I was hoping for less, but when you don't watch what you eat and you don't exercise as much as you did before.  This is the end result.  I restarted this week.  3lbs down.  Doing it the old fashion way.  Watching my calories and exercise.  Eating lots of veggies and fruit, lean proteins, and drinking water.   Don't get me wrong, I still have the occasional beer, cheese burger and pizza.  I'm just back to my old ways of not eating as much of these.

My end goal is to be under 200lbs by summer time.  Thats 1-2lbs a week.  This should be a piece a cake.  Well I hope its as easy as I'm making it.  I have the tools now.  I have the motivation.  Some tweaks in my eviroment and I will be on my way.

Here is to 2011.

A New Beginning.....Again

I think we have been down this road before.  You're heading the right direction, things are looking great, then BAM, your lost, your spinning your wheels, you have lost track of time and you are back at where you started.   Well not totally accurate, I've dipped into this "maintain phase".  The big problem,  I'm not at the maintain phase.  Maintaining is good, great for some.  Some would love to be in the maintain phase.  I still need to be in the lose wieght phase.  Two months now!  Two, long, dreadfull, freaking month!  I've been maintaining 219 - 224 for two months.  Up one week down another, up a little, down a lot, up a lot, down a little.  Its like a roller coaster in average land.  I don't want to be on this ride. 

Where am I at?  Am I lost?  No not I'm not lost.  I've have finally figured out my way out.  I've been distracted.  Yes, thats right, I'm distracted.  Distracted?  My life has been extremely busy.  Who new that football and cheerleading would fill up most of my days?  It seems football and cheer were non stop for two months.  No time to plan a meal.  No time to find some exercise.  Conveniant stops in processed food land became the norm.   The quick drive through fast food lane was the only option.  The quick stop to $5 pizza like substance joint on the way home at 8:30 became our dinner.  My body became wore out.  I lost all my desire.  This is sad.  We have no regrets and we look forward.   My distraction is done.  No more distactions.  I can actually see my goal again.  Under 200 pounds by end of year, here I come.

Here is to new beginnings......again.

RIB FEST 2010!

Whoa!  Its been awhile since my last post.  Whoops!  

Labor Day weekend.   I love Labor Day weekend.  I look forward to Labor Day weekend.  I save all my loose change through out the year for Labor Day weekend.  For Burning Man?  No.  For the love of slow smoked BBQ ribs.  Sweet and hot BBQ Sauce.  Pulled pork.   Baked beans.  I love it all.  This is one my favorite times of the year.  We all have BIG, HUGE, watermelon grins across our faces at this time of the year.  Well, almost everybody.  I can feel the eye rolls now from my vegetarian better half.  The steely glare as she watches us devour the smoked ribs like a pride of lions.  The I can't believe I stood in that long ass line to watch you lick pork fat juice off your fingers look.  The "are we done yet" looks as we cram another pulled pork sandwich in our mouths.  I love her, but I'm pretty sure she loves us way more.  No vegetarian should have to put up with this meat circus.

The Rib Cook Off has been a normal, consistant trek for me.  Lunch during the week, sometimes dinner.  So awesome to work 5 mintues from BBQ pit heaven.  The one packed day on the weekend with the family.  I have come to like certain BBQ pit masters.  Rasta Joe's, home of awesome pulled pork sandwiches.  Sweet and spicy BBQ sauce.  Jerk rubbed smoked ribs.   I can never go wrong with Rasta Joe's.  Willingham's BBQ, a new pit master this year and now on my list.  Pulled pork nachos.  Some super, secret, damn tasty rub.  Hot BBQ sauce was damn good.  Pulled pork sandwich that made sweet music to my tongue.  Then there is Johnson's BBQ.  Tangy BBQ sauce.  Meaty ribs.  Pulled pork that will make a baby cry in joy.  The lines for Johnson's were ridiculously long this year.  The word may be out on them.  And then there is my favorite.  Butch's Smack Your Lips BBQ.  RIP Butch!  Spicy rubbed smoked ribs.  Meat would just fall off the bone.  Spicy rubbed smoked pull pork.  The "medium" BBQ sauce is still spicy.  I love it all.  Butch's son ran the pit this year.  And it tasted just as good as previous years.  I sure hope to see Butch's back next year. 

334 days and counting until next year!

Writing this post has made damn hungry for BBQ. 
Carolina BBQ here I come! 

Stay positive and be positive!

PS.  My tip to make sure you have good BBQ.  Try the pulled pork first.  If its moist and has good flavor with out BBQ sauce, then you have found your place.  The majority of the items should be good to go.  If the pulled pork is dry and has no flavor.  Drown it in BBQ sauce, try to choke it down, and find a new place to eat BBQ.

From the Kitchen of Couch Potato Man - Chocolate Cherry Heart Healthy Cookies

I can cook, but I don't protend to be a baker.  Can I make cakes?  Can I make cookies?  Can I make pies?  Of course!  They fit nicely in my grocery cart from the bakery section in your local grocery store.  Seriously, it doesn't take rocket science to read directions off the back of cake box.  You don't need a degree in engineering to buy a tube of cookie dough and make cookies.  Do you really need to be a mathetician to understand what temperture to defrost your pumpkin pie from the frozen food section?  Well obviously you do!  I screw up all these things all the time.  Pretty damn sad that there is good chance I will mess up cookies from a tube! 

Let me introduce you to Chocolate Cherry Heart Healthy Oatmeal Cookies!!!!  So easy, even my dumb, non baking ass can make them!  2 of my kids like them a lot!  My wife loved them.  These are damn good!  I HEART OATMEAL COOKIES!!!  Not only are these cookies damn good, but they are, really, really good for you!  Shhhhhhh, don't tell my kids!  Tons of heart healthy, cancer fighting, antioxidants ingredients in these cookies. 

I will tell you.  I didn't follow this recipe word for word.  I did a couple of swap outs. I swapped out the dried cherries for dried cranberries.  I just couldn't justify paying $7.00 a pound for dried cherries.   $7!  Are you crazy!  I'm not spending that much on dried cherries.  I also swapped out the bitter sweet chocolate for dark chocolate.  Bitter sweet chocolate is gross.  Shockingly to me, dark chocolate has a lot of health benefits.  Antioxidants and helps lower blood pressure, sounds good to me!

Get your Cliff Claven on!  I don't normally do this, but I've gone link crazy!  So much info out there!  Here is some of the many things I pulled out of outer space.

Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate

Health Benefits of Cranberries

Health Benefits of Oats

Did I already tell you!  I HEART OATMEAL COOKIES!!!

Eating cookies makes me......

.....have a big watermelon grin.

The Love Hate Relationship with Running

Running!  Oh the world of runners.  You see them out there.  Two different breeds.

The Ultra Fit Ones
You know them.  You see them.  They are usually decked out in the latest and greatest running apparel.  Super fit.  No body fat.  Lean muscles popping all over the place.  Oh I'm jealous, I have seen the 18 packs run by me at the marina.  (Man crushing right now!)  Running in there own little world.  Sometimes they run in packs.  They seem so easy.  So free.  It comes naturally to them.  Pisses me off!

The Out of Shape/Losing Fat/ Trying To Be Fit Ones
Now these are my people.  You know them.  The workout shorts or sweats.  Any old raggedy ass T-shirt.  T-shirt must be big enough to hide all the flaws.  Curves, bumps, fluff.....all in the wrong places.  Running with purpose.  Running to not pass out.  Its painful.  It hurts.  Its not fun.  This is NOT on the must do hobby list.

I've picked up running again.  I've been running the last couple of weeks.  Its getting easier.  I don't like to use this word that much.....BUT I HATE IT!  Hate hate hate!!!!  I know its the way to faster fat burning.  I know its one of the best things you can do on your way to better, healthier lifestyle.  But damn it!  Running sucks ass!  One big, huge thing I have learned through this journey.  You don't like doing something, no matter how good it is for you, don't do it anymore.  If I keep going, I know I will get burned out on it.  I doubt it, but I may stop on this journey.  The fear of quitting because I hate running scares me.  I'm not running anymore.  I will continue to walk.  I may be the only man out the path power walking, but it will be something I don't hate. 

These will be the only reasons I run:
1.  Angry knife wielding wife.
2.  Natural disasters
3.  Spiders

Other than that, I'm not running anymore!  This ends my running career.....well maybe.  (The Brett Farve coming out of of me).

The walks have gotten easier for me.  I'll need to step them up.  Going to add some weights for my walks.  Walk longer, walk faster.  Don't let the little old ladies pass me.  Walking has been one of the best things for me.  I crave variety, I will keep trying to new things.  Scratch running off the list.  I will give rollerblading a shot.  Those guys look like they are having lots of fun.

Play hard and have fun!

One Year Later.....

When I first started to make a lifestyle change I never ever thought I was this overweight.   No way I was this BIG, it was impossible.  Several pics later opened up my eyes.  Not only had I just let myself go, but I've fallen off the cliff twice.  You would think small signs would have jump start my change.  The constant aching knees and back.  Trouble tying my shoes.  Looking down and not seeing my man junk.   Waking up in the middle of the night because I stopped breathing.  Ssshhhh.......don't tell my wife.   Very scary stuff.   All these things and photos is what freaked me out!  Photos.  Seeing these photos was depressing and angered filled.  How did I let myself go?  Why did I let myself go?  What is wrong with me?

Believe me when I say this.  This was a hard, tough thing for me to do.  To undo years and years of living a certain way.  To come to grips with what I needed changed.  I had my ups, but my downs out numbered my ups twice over.   Its damn hard changing 20 years of bad habits.  I got use to eating what I want when ever I wanted and it didn't matter.   Well it does matter.  

Last summer I was 277.  But I'm not sure if that is right.  It took me several weeks to build up the balls to get on the scale.  I didn't want to get on there.  I knew it was bad news.  Who wants to see bad news.   The pictures were bad enough, now the scale.   I had to do it!  I needed to know my starting point.  The beginning that I did not want to see ever, ever again. 

As of this morning, I'm 49lbs lighter.  I feel great!  My knees and back don't hurt constantly!  I don't have to reach around my gut to tie my shoes.  My man junk is no longer on a milk carton.  And the best part, no more waking up in the middle of the night because I can't breathe.  The only bad thing out of this whole thing is I need to buy new clothes.  I don't have extra money to be spending on new clothes.  So in the mean time, I just make new holes in my belts.  Wear my oversized shirts.  Let my shorts hang around my ass showing my underwear (that is the style).  Thems the breaks for changing my life.

Hopefully the next 28lbs falls off fast.  200lbs coming soon to a neighborhood near you.  I hope to be visiting soon.

Last August 8/2009

8/20/10

<><>

<>

<><>

8/2010

The Lost Art of the Doodle

I doodle, you doodle, we all doodle.   I am  a creative person.   I feed my creative side as much as I can.  Its a nice release.  There is a time and place to be creative.....to doodle.  Instructions from your wife, girlfriend, or main squeeze......probably not the good time.   Meetings, instructions, training.....these all probably not good times to doodle.  Exams, quizzes, filling out divorce papers......yep, probably a bad time to let the creative side loose.  These are activities that need your undivided attention and your focus.  These activities also have one thing in common....BORING!!!!

You see, I go to the meetings with the best intentions.  My focus, my energy, my undivided attention.  Quickly that fades in to Fantasy Land.  My mind wanders, my left side brain takes over.  I day dream, I fantasize, I need a release.  I doodle........

I love these meetings and these trainings.  They allow me to feed my creative side.  Day dreams of cookies and thigh high stockings.  My mind starts to race and explore.  I start scribble on my note pad.  No, these aren't notes.  Come on, that would make more sense.  No, these are little creations of artwork.  After these meetings, just be prepared to repeat everything.  Or better yet, send me a follow up meeting notes in email.  Are you training me?  Be prepared to train me 42 times.

Are meetings and trainings bad?  No, they are a necessary evil of the office environment.  Go to your meetings and trainings with focus and an open mind.  But be prepared to let your creative side loose.  Learn to master both.  The art of meeting note taking and creative doodles.  When you do, show me how.   Just be prepared to show me 42 times.

From the Kitchen of Couch Potato Man - Easy Beer Can Chicken

Do you like rotisserie chicken?  The fall off the bone rotisserie chicken?  I give you the perfect alternative!  Introducing the beer can chicken!!!!!  I've read a gazillion sites but never tried one.  It seemed kinda stupid.  I have become a HUGE fan!  Fall off the bone, crispy skin, juicy, full flavor chicken!  Better than rotisserie chicken!  Hard to make?  Hardly!!


Ingredients:
1 Chicken (4-5lbs)
1 Favorite Marinade or Rub
1 Can of Favorite Beer

Directions:

So EASY!  Remove all the nasty junk inside the cavity or your chicken.  If you haven't gagged, pat dry your chicken.   Either rub the chicken with your favorite rub or place the chicken in a gallon Ziploc baggy and marinate.  Don't cross contaminate!  Place your chicken in a bowl or dish away from the other food in your fridge.  Be patient!  Let it sit and soak up the flavors!  The longer the better.

I don't have a lot of beer cans lying around.  Bottles yes, beer cans, no.  I just used an old soda can.  Rinse it out before you use it.   Fill the beer can about 3/4 full.  I added more crushed garlic to the can.  Take your chicken and slide it over the can.  Yes, basically up the butt.  Stop laughing now!  I know its funny and sounds ridiculous.   Use the legs of the chicken and the beer can to balance.  Like a tri-pod.  Fold the chicken wings over behind the chicken.  Let the chicken sit to warm up a little before you start to cook it.

The chicken is cooked over indirect heat.  What is indirect heat?  Its simple, the food is not cooked directly over heat.  I cooked my over charcoal on my Weber, Mrs RS.  You will need a pie tin or some kind of drip pan.   The pie tin goes in the middle of your grill.  Once your coals are all heated and starting to turn white, you want to place the coals around your pie tin.  Balance the chicken directly over the pie tin. 

Cook the chicken for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours.   You will want to add more coals about an hour after you started.  I light my coals in my chimney starter, but you can place the coals directly onto  the older coals.  Leave the lid off until those coals ignite.  How do you know its done?  Stick a meat thermometer in the thigh it should read 180 degrees.  Don't have a meat thermometer?  The juices from the chicken should run clear. 

What you have is succulent, juicy, fall off the bone chicken.  Damn tasty too! 

Enjoy!

The Love Affair with Miss RS.

I've been gifted with one of man's greatest creations, the Weber charcoal grill.   She is beautiful, as my wife rolls her eyes, shakes her head, speaking under her breath, "what a nerd, I just don't get it."  Don't get me wrong.  I do love the convenience, the ease of Mr. Propane.  The smell of propane just before the fire lights.  Hot grill in 10 minutes.  Breakfast, lunch or dinner done soon after.  You can't go wrong with Mr. Propane.  He's a rock, he's steady, he's always there.  But there is something special, something magical, something exotic about Miss RS (Rainbows and Sunshine, her permanent name now).  Mr Propane and I have a great relationship.  We have created fantastic and tasty dishes together.  Our bond has been long.  I will always remember these times together.  But Miss RS has swept me off my feet in a few short weekends. 

Beer can chicken......BAM....Rainbows!
BBQ pizzas.......SHAZAAM....Sunshine!
Green chili burgers.........BOOM......Sunshine!
Rib-eye steaks.......KABOOM......Rainbows and Sunshine!
Steak fries..........WHAM.....Rainbows!
Grilled corn.....BLAM.....Sunshine!

Old reliable Mr Propane has helped me with these in the past.  But from Miss RS, it was different.  I can't explain it.  Its just different.  The taste, the flavor, dare I say, exotic.  Rainbows and sunshine bursting in flavors in our mouths.  Mr Propane will always be there.  He's convenient and he's easy.  Who doesn't like that.  Miss RS has a piece of my soul now, sorry Mr Propane.  You will have just have to take the weekends off.

Hugging Miss RS.  Kissing Miss RS.  I love Miss RS. 

Shhhhhh.........just don't tell my wife.

The Trials of Letting Go

Holy lazy slacker man, Batman!  Its been a long time since my last update.  Life keeps getting in the way!  That damn life!  Here comes the excuses.  3 kids playing baseball, 3 different teams.  Coach on two of them.  I have baseball 6 days a week.  I have no time to update. My wife is high maintence, she's taking up all my free time (she's far from it).  I have no time to update.  I work full time (feel bad for all the unemployed, yet the economy is turning around?).   Work is getting in the way.  I have no time to update.  My daily email and internet porn is taking all my time.  I have no time to update.  I'm done with the excuses.

This baseball year, I'm not managing any teams this year.  I wanted to take a step back.  I became a rundown wreck by the end of the season.  This year, I'm just one of those lowly, get no respect, assistant coaches on my teams.  I was having a hard time dealing with that.  Not the big man (litterally) in charge.  It was rough on me the first few weeks dealing with it.  I had my set ways.  This is how you coach my kids. My ways are better yours.  This is how you run these drills.  My way is the best way.  These are some serious issues in my head.  But I've embraced it.  I give my feedback, my tips, my suggestions.  The shocking thing to me, my feedback has been well recieved.  Well to my knowledge its been well recieved.  This has, here comes the voice from the corn fields "ease his pain".  I'm not as distracted as before and I'm actually enjoying the little league season.  Its become fun and not work for me again.  Hooray for me!

This year, I've actually had the plessure of being one of those annoying parents in the stands.  You know those parents.  The ones that cheer everything the team does.  Nice hit!  Nice throw!  Nice catch! Way to trip over that chalk line!  Questioning the coaches every move.  Wondering if the umpire needs my glasses.  Wondering if that girl on the other team is REALLY 10.  I LOVED IT!  I can't wait to do it again!

Stepping back has been hard.  But I have embraced it.  I love it.  I want more.

Pledge to myself.  Make time, find time, to update more.

Stay positive, be positive

The Healthy Journey

What a crazy week.  Well maybe not so crazy.  My life has become pretty vanilla.  Black and white.  So maybe not so crazy.  The week started like it normally does.  Eat really good (still not great) and exercise.   I do still like my occasional bar food.  You know, the chicken wings, poppers, Texas toothpics.  Eating 3 chicken wings really sucks!  All that work on 3 wings for chicken wing goodness.  Sometimes it doesn't make it worth it.  We all need our fix every once in a while.  Thats the key right?

For all you calorie counters out there.
3 wings from Applebees is 385 calories and 29 grams of fat! 

So just think about it.  Eat 3 and eat more stuff.  Or eat 12, exercise like a mad man for HOURS.  Then squeeze in some great food.  No thank you.  This is the whole reason why I count my calories.  Its a pain in the ass, but for once, I finally know what goes into my body.   Don't get me wrong.  I'm not going to deny myself these foods.  I LOVE these foods.  I just limit them.  MODERATION is my key.  I've tried eliminating these foods from my diet......scratch that NOT diet.  Take 2.  I've tried eliminating these foods from my new healthy changes.  But it seemed to make it worse.  I craved these foods.  I mean super duper CRAVED!  Once I ate them, it sent me into a downward spiral.  6000+ calories later, I was on an emotional roller coaster.  Anger, guilt, depression.......stuff that nobody should be dealing with.  So I've learned MODERATIONS.  Its taken me years to learn this and not to diet.  Just eat right and exercise.

I'm down 2lbs this week.  I couldn't tell you how.  Normal days earlier in the week.  Then I got sick half way through the week.  No exercise since I've been sick.  To make it worse, I really haven't eaten well or eating food at all!  I'm not too worried about it though.  As soon as I'm not sick, I will be back on track.  Next week is going to be tough.  Lots of baseball stuff going on.  Pretty much will be this way for the next few months.  Finding time to exercise will be tough.  Making sure I eat good meals will also be tough.  Quick and easy will rule the next few months.  We'll have to fight that urge, so lots or pre-meal planning for the next few months.  My goal is to avoid fast food as much as possible.   And to avoid the quick and easy frozen meals.  I know how to do this, we can do this.

If you Tweet, follow this one.  Its been great!  Sometimes its a big eye opener and also DUH!!!!
http://twitter.com/EatThisNotThat

Before and After.....A Step in the Right Direction

Since I started this change last June, I've had my ups and I had my downs.  Seems like there are more downs then ups.  My downs have been over exagerated by my insercurities.  I try not to, but I dwell WAY too much on the negatives.  I spend way too much time trying to figure out why I'm not losing Biggest Loser poundage.  I can't seem to look past this.  I know 1lb a week is good and safe.  But I'm disappointed when its not 10!  What a dork!  What a dweeb!  Insert your insult here!

I finally took another picture.  I could not believe the changes.  I started crying like a damn baby.  Can you believe that?  Like a baby I tell you!  Very very very happy.  What the picture made me realize, FINALLY, that I'm heading the right direction.  My dependance on the scale was a negative for me.  The scale needs to be another tool.  Not a be all, end all.  The last 3 weeks I've been dwelling on why I've stayed the same.  No changes.  The problem.  There has been changes.  My new pants I got over Christmas.  Too big now.  New T-shirts.  Too big now.  I have leg muscles again.  "Hello Mr Bicep!  I haven't seen you since college."  Friends telling me that I'm much thinner.  Husband ears on!  I ignored all of the comments and changes.  Stupid scale!  INSECURE JIMBO!  BAD JIMBO!

Only a select few have seen these.  This is a step for me.  I feel more confident in myself again.  Something that had disappeared.  I still have a long road.  Years and years of abuse.  But I know, the end goal is getting closer.  I love it!

Couple of changes I've made the last couple of weeks that seem to work out great for me.  I've been basically eating 3 big meals a day with snacks if I'm hungry.  The problem was, I was binging some days.  I went back to eating 5 small meals a day.  In the pass, I was ALWAYS hungry doing this.   But some more reading, asking questions.  I changed it up.  My small meals consist of high fiber and good proteins.  I'm eating every 2-4 hours.  Shooting for 21g+ of  fiber a day.  Its amazing how NOT hungry I am.  Thank you Men's Health!

Sample of my meals this week.

Plain oatmeal with bananas

Whole wheat toast with egg and egg whites

Yogurt and orange

Chicken tacos and brocolli

Unsalted mixed nuts, orange, apple sauce.

Healthy Request Chunky Beef Soup and orange or mixed vegtables.

Don't get me wrong.  I did have a burger from Juicy's.  And I ate a lot of chicken tacos this week.  But, I didn't binge on several tacos and burgers and pizza and chips and cookies.  I love cookies.  I'm eating a lot!  But just making better choices.   I love to eat.  I hate dieting.  Its a compromise.

Stay positive, be positive.

Special thanks to John!

Healthy Changes

What a slacker I am.  I can't believe its been two weeks since I last updated my blog.  I like updating it.  I like attempting to write.  I suck at it, but I do find it entertaining.  So why no updates?  I'm just a big ass slacker.  That's the only explanation I have.  A big HUGE slacker.

Speaking of big.  I'm a litte frustrated again.  Actually a lot frustrated.  Since I decided to finally make a healthy change last summer, its been good.  I weighed a ginormous 265.  I've never EVER been that big.  I never thought that I was that big.  I've dropped 30lbs.  But now I've hit the wall again.  That stupid freakin' wall.  Its been nice, consistantly losing about 1/2 - 1 pound a week.  Some weeks gained, but I was always down at the end of the month.  This time not so much.  The thing that bothers me the most is I feel great.  My clothes are huge.  People are noticing the changes.  So why does it not reflect on the scale?  Thats the part that is very frustrating. 

Talked to my friend John again.  He's half the man that he used be.  He's always been good for great advice.  My first step is to not rely on the scale so much.  I know my body, I feel the changes.  Second step, take a picture.  I don't want to.  Who really wants to see that.  Even I don't want to see that.  A picture would be a great tool at how well I've progressed.  So twist my arm, hold me down, duct tape myself to the wall.  I will take a picture.  I believe I still have a picture from last year when I first started.  I would be nice to compare the two.

I've come a long way.  In pass months, if I wasn't losing any weight, I would be really down.  Which would end up me binge eating.  Now I don't let these little things affect me.  There will be ups and there will be downs.  A lot more downs then I would have even known.  I don't look back, I just move on and tackle the next day. 

I like food.  I LOVE food.  I hate dieting.  So I compromise.  I make better, educated decisions of what I eat.  I eat what I like (in moderation) and I most importantly, I exercise.  At least 5 days a week.  This has been the ONLY thing that has worked for me.  No fancy pills, no fancy drinks, not cabbage soup diet, Atkins, South Beach.  Believe me, I've tried some of these, great at first then major disappointment and failure.

Stay positive and be positive.

To Zip Or Not To Zip

Its amazing the random things you think about.  For instance, what is the purpose of the fly on underwear.  Why is it called the fly?   Was it a bet that an old tailor in the old kingdom lost?  Maybe he or she wanted to call it the tarantuala.  And who thought of the zipper.  Was it a blacksmith accident.  "Look what I did!  A metal snake to proctect your yoohoo!"  Over the years, did it turn into a fashion statement?  Or fast forward several more years and the zipper becomes a quick access for #1.

Which brings me to.....does anybody really use the unzip the zipper method when going #1.  I can't remember the last time used this method.  I can't even recall my two boys ever using the zipper method. I can't even recall my father telling me to unzip, pull through the tara...I mean fly, then the zipper fly (is it called the zipper fly?), aim and let it rip.  Is this just built in reflexes passed down like walking for the first time.  Are we just going to assume every 2 year old boy going through potty training is going to know the unzip method? 

As I remember, the prefered potty training method in our house was first spot the pee pee dance.  You know the dance.  The hold the man junk and rock side to side quickly.  There is also the cross your legs so tightly hoping it goes away stance.  The very tricky face twitch, very hard to spot this one.  Once spotted, the next step was to scream in panic "RUN TO THE BATHROOM!"  Its amazing the little ones didn't pee their pants right there in fright.  Your 2 years old, doing the pee pee dance and your parents are screaming at you to run to the bathroom.  Like you really want to pee all over yourself so you can put on your 6th different pair of shorts that day.   After scaring your child and running to the the bathroom, the last and final step was pull down your pants, shorts, training pants, underwear in all one panic induced motion!  What?!?!  What happend to the unzip way?  The little boy pants do have zippers.  I don't know why, but they do.  Really, come on, there was no time for the unzip method.  Are you kidding me?  Do you remember the first step?  Come on!  Seriously!

Which brings me to the present.  Adulthood.  Harder for some, including me.  I still use the pull down method.  Is it the panic induced quick method learned from early childhood?  Or is it because I'm too lazy to use the unzip the zipper method?  I understand the ease of the unzip the zipper method.  Is seems perfect when you have to complicate the whole thing with a belt.  Who wants to go through all that trouble of the pull down method with your belt is in the way?  Even with a belt, I prefer the pull down method.  It takes longer, but most days its not panic induced, waiting until the last minute tricky face twitching pee pee dance.  I'm not 2!  I think as us boys turn into adults the pull down method is preferred out of fear.  Yes I said fear.  I'm telling you, one day when you pull your man junk through the tarat.....I mean fly, the zipper fly it might get stuck. It never happens, but one day it might.  Then what, I can't use Jim Jr anymore?  Fear I tell you.  Another scenario, you pull your yoohoo through the tarat.....I mean fly, then zipper fly and forget to pull it back and zip up your yoohoo!  Somthing About Mary style!  OUCH!  I can hear Jennie in the background, "BEANS AND FRANKS HAHAHahahahaHAHOHHOHAHAHA!"  No thank you.  Jim Jr and I will continue to use the pull down method.  The preferred pull down method.

Oh the Frustrating Journey!

Getting back on track started the month off so great.  7lbs the first week.  Gained the second week.  This week, no weight loss at all.  Its a head scratcher.  I've scratched off a bald section in the side of my head.  I'm thinking I should wax it nice and shiny so the pretty girls can fix their hair in the reflection.

I can't figure it out.  I've ate in moderation all week. Not starving myself, but eating food.  I've had pretty much the same breakfast every morning.  1 egg, 2 egg whites scrambled with veggie sausage.  Oranges, tangerines, bananas.   Salads at night.  Chicken tacos.  I think I've been eating pretty good all week.  I've had some set back eating healthy "good for you" food.  But its always been in moderation.  I've been staying in my 1700-1900 calorie intake a day.  Could it really be those days I decided to have a half a sandwich from Yellow Sub.  Its just not adding up.

I've been exercising.  I feel stronger.  I'm not out of breath in 2.5 seconds.  I don't get it.  I did take Wednesday off, my body was telling, acutally screaming at me to take a break.  "TAKE A BREAK JIMBO!  You don't take a break, you will be grounded from viewing any and all internet porn!"  Well, I like my porn.  I took a break, my body needed it.  My hamstring I hurt a few months ago was acting up.  My "stomach" muscles below my beer belly were fighting back.  My biceps were screaming!  My ego was bruised.  I needed the break.  The next day my body bounced back.  I was able to work out hard.  It was nice to be back.

Is it muscle?  Seriously......muscle.  I'm not a big believer in the whole muscle weighs more than fat.  If your losing weight you should still be losing weight.  These are the other signs I see happening.  My pants are looser.  My underwear are too big.  My shirts look like circus tents on my body.  I can see my feet and other unmentionables.  I know my body is changing for the good again.  I need and should take another picture.  Before and after.  The same picture you see in all of the diet, exercise, miracle pill comercials see all over the TV now. 

LAST WEEKS GOALS
Lose 2 - 3lbs  -  Didn't lose any, didn't gain any, stayed the same
Exercise 5-7 days a week - Worked out Saturday - Tuesday, Thursday and today.
1700 - 1900 calories a day - Averaged just a little over 1800 calories a day.
5-8 servings of veggies and/or fruit daily - This one is too easy for me.  I love my veggies and fruit.  I need to change this one up
8 glasses of water - I think I wore out a path from my office to the bathroom.

THIS WEEKS GOALS
Lose 2 - 3lbs this week.  If I do, I will hit my goal for the month.
Exercise 5 days a week.  I think I was too aggressive here.  My body told me no.  I have to remember I'm not 18 anymore.
1700 - 1900 calories a day
Have one day this week that is all vegetarian.  I'm a PETA person (People Eating Tasty Animals), this one will be tough.
8 glasses of water or more a day

Must remember.  Listen to your body.  Your body will tell you if you are pushing it to hard or being lazy.

Be Positive Stay Positive

I'm down.....then I'M WAY UP!

Super frustrated!  Victory one week.  Super disappointed the next week.  I need discipline.  Discipline I tell you.  Down 7lbs last week, up 5lbs this week.  I'm thinking that can't be healthy.  I don't blame anybody else, but myself.  I'm worked out all week.  Admittly not as hard as the first week.  And to compound the derailment, I ate WAY too many calories.  Its simple I over ate.  That simple.  I must remember, moderation.  MODERATION!  I got to comfortable with my great first week.  Way too comfortable.  This healthy journey is work and I'm not 18 anymore.  I can't eat a whole pizza and still be 165lbs.

My birthday was Monday.  I worked out hard Monday morning and had a nice combo jog/power walk at lunch.  When I look back, I think Monday night is when I got off the path.  Jennie made me an awesome dinner!  Chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes and country gravy and buttermilk biscuits and corn on the cob.   Brownies for dessert.  I'm always telling myself moderation.  Make sure you eat in moderation.  I don't think two chicken fried steaks is moderation.  I don't think 5 brownies is moderation.  Must be discipline.  Oh man it was so good!  But I know better.  I'm huge big over eater.  The rest of the week was not much better.  I know how I steered off the path.  I need to be discipline.   Or work out 8-10 hours a day.......which is not happening.  I keep telling myself, get back on track tomorrow.  And then it doesn't happen, then I tell myself back on track the next day.  This week was a terrible undiscipline week.  But not getting down, staying positive and I am back on track this morning.

Last week goals.

Lost 2-3lbs ------  Up 5lbs BOO!!!!

Exercise 5-7 days --------Winner winner!

1700 -1900 calories --------Great over the weekend.  Monday 4000+, Tuesday 4000+, Wednesday close to 3000, Thursday over 2000.

4-7 servings of veggies and/or fruit daily  --------Winner winner!

8 glasses of water -----BOOOO!!!!!!  Water is key, need to drink water

This weeks goals

Lose 2 - 3lbs

Exercise 5-7 days a week

1700 - 1900 calories a day

5-8 servings of veggies and/or fruit daily

8 glasses of water

Not all was bad this week.  I've noticed my arms are getting more toned.  My legs are getting more toned.  My clothes are fitting better.  I have more energy.

Stay positive, be positive.

The Old Man Syndrome

What is the Old Man Syndrome?  Is there such a thing as the Old Man Syndrome?

I mean, going to bed at 9:00 is NOT too early right?  Come on, I'm one of the few that still have a job and I have to wake up early.   Is 5:00am too early?  I guess it doesn't REALLY take me 3 hours to get ready for work.   I do watch the news and Sportscenter.  What is wrong with naps during the day.  Sometimes that couch is damn comfortable and it makes me tired........a little power nap never hurt anybody.  Oh the LOUD music and LOUD TV!   Why so loud.  I can't hear my talk radio over your blairing hippity hop.  You can't hear?  Cut your hippy hair so you can hear better!  I enjoy my peace and quiet time.  Lets me catch up to my Sports Illustrated article of the Cowboys whooping on the Eagle a week ago.   People still read magazines and newspapers right?  I know the internet is instant access.  But a good read of old news never hurt anybody right?  Just because I ask Parker to help me put together that new and improved electronic device doesn't mean that I can't do it......it means I don't want to do it.   And who doesn't like a good old drawn out story.  Just because my kids give me that glazed over look when I reminense of record players, 8-track, VHS/Beta tape war, VCR's, MTV that actually played music, cassette tape, my old Sony Walkman, all bowl games on New Years day, naptime in kindergarten, popcorn cooked on a stove, 4 TV channels, TV dinners from the oven, the Berlin Wall, Soviet Union, Pluto is a planet, Yugo, Saturday morning cartoons, Adam West Batman (BOOM!), candy cigarettes, Tab soda, American Bandstand, Australian Rules Football on ESPN all the time, Monday Night Baseball, Yogoslavia, Gilligan's Island, .79 cent a gallon ga......OH NO!  I AM OLD!  I DO HAVE THE OLD MAN SYNDROME!

Its time to fight back.  Welcome back the all nighters!  Embrace Hannah Montana on Saturday morning.  Who cares that the New Years Day bowl games are spread over 2 weeks.  Embrace modern technology.  Have Parker teach me how to operate that new fangled electronic device.  Enjoy my 400 channels of nothing to watch!  Sleep in til noon like Dallas.  Quit being crabby, grab a water, don't fall asleep on the couch, and blog my drawn out old man stories!

Youngling beware!  Here comes an old man to wreck havoc and embarrass you in public!

7lbs! WAAAAahhooooooooo!

WAAAAaaHOOOOoooo!  Down 7lbs this week!  Doing it the old fashion way.  This seems to work better for me.  Eat right, work out hard.  I'm so freakin' pumped!  The most I've ever lost during this journey was 2lbs.  This week 7lbs!  That's Biggest Loser poundage!  WAAAAaaaaHOOOOoooooo!  244 to 237!  YES!  Lots more to go on my journey.  This is a small step, but a positive step in the right direction.

We got a Wii for Christmas.   I'm telling you I am a Wii believer now.  I can't get enough!  Its turn my boring workouts into FUN.  One big hurdle I always had was boredom.  The same routine over and over.  Walking and running everyday.  The Wii has added variety into my daily workouts.  I love it.  If you can afford it, it is a well worth it investment.  I can't wait to try more Wii activities.  Wii Fit and EA's Active are next on my list.  I've read great stuff on these.  Some research on Wii Sports boxing, you burn about 600 calories for an hour of good butt kicking fun!  I love it!

http://www.diet-blog.com/archives/2008/08/15/wii_sports_vs_real_sports_which_burns_more_calories.php

This weeks goals:

Lost 2-3lbs

Exercise 5-7 days

1700 -1900 calories (Doesn't seem like a lot, but I've managed to fit open face turkey sandwiches in my daily intake.  Who would have known)

4-7 servings of veggies and/or fruit daily

8 glasses of water <------means several trips to the bathroom.

I went back to logging everything on http://www.livestrong.com/.  Its quick and easy.  If you issues writing everything down.  I would suggest trying this site.  This week I've eaten between 1700 - 1900 calories and burned 600 daily.  Its been great!

From the Kitchen of Couch Potato Man - Banana & Peanut Butter French Toast

Man on man.  I know this is not good for you.  I saw it last night on the Food Network.  I thought I give it a try.  Probably will be the last and only time I have it for awhile.  So freakin' good!

Ingredients:

Bread

Banana

Peanut Butter

Eggs

Milk

Cinnamon

Vanilla

Orange Juice

Rum

I thought I had plain o' rum, but it was Malibu rum.  Tasted just fine too me.  I used  freshly squeezed oranges instead of regular orange juice.

Directions:

Mix the eggs, milk, cinnamon, vanilla, orange juice and rum together.  Cut the bananas lenght wise and about the size of the bread.  Spread the peanut butter on each slice of bread and add the bananas.  Basically making a peanut butter and banana sandwich.  Dip each side of the sandwich in egg batter. 

COOK and ENJOY!

I cut it in half topped one half with butter and powder sugar, the other half with butter, powder sugar and syrup.  YIKES so sweet and good!  Like I said, probably never again for me, maybe when I'm 50lbs lighter!