Singing the Diet Blues

Getting the blues because of your diet? The scale just staring back at you and not moving down? Well, you’re not alone because I am in that situation right now. It’s been 9 months and I crave real food. A Double Western Bacon cheeseburger would go down real good right about now. I seem to be dreaming of those things more and more.

Why don’t I just break down and but one? The answer is simple; I don’t want to waste an entire days’ calories on one meal. I just don’t know what to do anymore. There are times when I just feel like chucking this whole thing and get back to enjoying life. I mean, I break my neck on these exercises and starve myself (I think) and for what? So I can look a little better in a swimsuit?

Well, I know that I shouldn’t feel this way, but I do. When I take a step back from my situation, I can see that I have actually made a vast improvement on how I looked nine months ago. Even though the scale is staying the same, I know I am doing the right thing. I have more energy to work around the house (not my first choice of recreation) and I can actually fit into clothes that I haven’t been able to wear in years. My wife thinks I look better as well.

Instead of concentrating on where you are, try looking back at how far you’ve come. Look at yourself when you first started and compare that with how you look today. Make that motivate you to keep going. If dieting were easy, everyone would do it. It takes motivation and inner strength. Not many people have that. You do!

Turning Back the Scales

Well, it’s been nine months since I started my workout routine and it’s time to reveal the results. For the past nine months, I have been eating a little over 1,000 calories a day. Yes, I know that this is extreme and I would not suggest you do the same. This is a very low amount and very difficult to maintain. I would suggest that you start at about 2,500 calories a day. This is a much safer and more manageable limit.
When I began, I started exercising about 20 minutes a day. As I added additional exercises, that time increased to around 40 minutes per day. I like to use a combination of strength training and cardio workouts.
The time has come for the great reveal. Unfortunately, I did not get measurements before I started, so the beginning measurements are estimates. Even so, the results are dramatic

Waist:

Beginning: 53inches est. Current: 43 ½ inches

Hips:

Beginning: 48 inches est. Current: 39 inches

Weight:

Beginning: 278 lbs. Current: 236 lbs.

Since I have been strength training, my actual weight is higher then most. I have lost a great deal of fat and have replaced it with muscle. I estimate that I have gained between 15-20 lbs. of muscle. Considering this, my weight would be around 221-226 lbs.

Funny Pictures Part Two

Here are some more funny pictures and images I've found. Hope you enjoy them.

I so agree with this!!

Laser cat

The Computer is Mightier than the Sword

Once again, I am sitting in front of the computer with nothing to say. I have tried to think of anything to write about, but I just can’t come up with a topic. I’m just curious, have you ever had this great idea then you run to the computer, wait impatiently for it to boot-up and then promptly forget what you were going to write about? Yup, that’s me.

The question is, why do I have to use the computer to write, I’m very capable to use a pen or pencil. The truth is, I happen to type faster than I can print. For this reason, I need to use the computer to write all my articles. Wow, this is something that I really needed to know. I searched the entire internet to find this site, just so you can tell me that. I feel so fulfilled.

I can tell right now that this article sucks the big wind. Who really cares if I can type faster than I can print? Do you really come to this site to read such mundane drivel as this? Now here’s a word I haven’t used before, drivel. Who ever uses that word anymore? I can’t even remember where I heard it before, probably the movies. Anyway, I give up. I can’t think of anything, so I guess I’ll go eat something. Chow.

Diets and Rewards

Being on a diet can be like looking down a long tunnel and seeing only darkness. What we need to do is provide a little light in this tunnel, so we can actually see where we are going. How do you do this? Simple, reward yourself.

Yes, you heard me correctly. We need to reward ourselves for all of our hard work and dedication. We go day in and day out following the same routine; eating the same foods and drinking the same diet drinks. Well, who wouldn’t be depressed? We all need to look forward to something, however small, to help keep us motivated. What I do is maybe once a week, I go out and have a hamburger or a favorite dessert.

However, even this reward needs to be in moderation. You do not want to undue all your hard work in one swoop. So, have your reward, but in moderation. We can all install a few lights in this dietary tunnel, but let’s not make it so bright as we need sunglasses.

Ode to the Weekend

Hurrah! Today is Friday, the best day of the week
I can’t believe I made it; I feel so weak.
I think I’ll go home and put up my feet,
Maybe open the windows and listen to the birds tweet.
On Saturday, I’ll sit by the pool, careful to spray on some deet,
And later I may take the family out to eat.
Sunday, I’ll reward my plants with a well-earned treat
And take a shovel and spread on some peat.
All too soon Monday will come
And I will be forced to repeat my feat.

Personal Trainer

This article has been moved to... I Want a Personal Trainer

Scale Down

I am going to throw this scale right through the window. I ask you, how can I step on the scale and weigh 233 lbs and then step on again and weigh 240lbs? I mean, I’ve heard of looking at a hamburger and gaining 5 pounds, but I didn’t know that it was true.

Don’t get me wrong, dieting is tough and not a lot of fun. There is a plethora of food out there that I can’t have anymore, but to be penalized for just THINKING about it, is just too much. I’m getting to the point where I might just resort to going on the Beverly Hills diet…liposuction. Naw, that diet sucks.

What I want is a nice juicy steak. Throw a nice New York Strip on the Barbie and cook it to medium rare doneness. Yes, I like to have it mooing. It’s cooked just enough to kill-off most of the nasties, but still retains a lot of its flavor. Make a nice pan sauce to go over it, and I’m all set. Oh yea, I need to add French fries to that. Am I a connoisseur or what?

Now my wife likes to have her steak cooked well-done. Why not just get some beef jerky and be done with it. The only way you’ll have any flavor is to smoother it with A-1 sauce…..Yum. I say let’s just skip the middleman and pour some A-1 in a cup and have at it.

This is just torture. Sniff, sniff. I want FOOD! I have a stupid scale, excuse me, HAD a stupid scale that magically adds pounds and a dream of steak. Oh, I just thought of something: Fish and Chips. Get some malt vinegar and some salt…….I’ve got to stop. I am going to go on EBay and get a new scale. I think a nice analog job will cut the mustard. Mustard, put that on a pretzel and…Oh man this has got to stop….bye.

Cartoon courtesy of: http://humor-in-photos-and-pictures.blogspot.com/

Journey into the Unknown

Thank you for stopping by. The article you are looking for has been moved and renamed. It is now called Angel or Imagination. Please click on the following link to view the article:

Angel or Imagination

Tips for Starting your Weight Loss Program

this post has been moved to... Beginning you fitness routine

Preparing Your Car for Vacations

It’s 3:30 in the morning and my mom has just come in to wake me up. I’m so excited I can hardly wait. I get dressed and make my way out to the car. We quietly get everything put in the trunk and stealthily make our way from the house. It’s going to be a long 12 hour trip, but I don’t care we are going to Portland, Oregon and Mt. Hood. I get to have Fish and Chips for dinner and after that, we hit Dairy Queen for an ice cream cone. This is our annual vacation and I used to look forward to it each year.

Now that I am older and have a family of my own, I have come to realize the amount of preparation my dad went through to make sure our vacation was as safe and free of mechanical breakdowns. Now is the time to prepare for your trip. Although gas prices are high and you may travel closer to home, you still need to do a few things that will help prepare you for the road ahead.

The first item on the agenda will be to get your car serviced. I would suggest you fight the urge to take your car to one of those “quick lube” places. Make sure the job is done right the first time and take your car to your regular mechanic. It may cost a little more, but you get peace of mind in return for the extra cash outlay. Here is a list of things that should be done before any long trip. These items will help assure that your car is running smoothly and efficiently.

Get a Tune-Up. This should be done at least once a year.

Get your fluids checked. This is usually done at the time of an oil change.

Get your oil changed.

Have your tires rotated. This will ensure that your tires wear evenly.

Have your air pressure checked. This is one of the leading causes of poor gas mileage.

Make sure you have new filters. The air and oil filters are usually replaced when you get an oil change, but it doesn’t hurt to check and be sure.

Have your mechanic check and make sure all the belts are “right and tight”.

Have the breaks checked.

Don’t overload the trunk. The extra weight will reduce your gas mileage.

These are just a few of the most important items that should be taken care of. Yes, it is just the usual routine automobile maintenance that every car should have; however it usually ends up being far from routine.

I hope these few tips have helped. Remember, this is your vacation…..stay off the cell phone!! You don’t need to talk on the phone while driving. Talk to your family instead, they’re the reason your on vacation in the first place.

Have a safe and wonderful vacation! If you want, send me a picture of your favorite destination and we can have a contest and see if anyone can name where it is!

www.epa.gov

Get Your Car Ready for Summer Vacation

A Night in Hell's Kitchen

Have you ever watched the television show Hell's Kitchen? This is the show where 15 contestants via for a shot at running the kitchen at Chef Gordon Ramsey's new restaurant. It is shown every Tuesday night on the Fox Broadcasting Network. It may seem like a dull premise, but it is anything but dull. Ramsey seems to have a PhD in profanity and he doesn't mind giving lectures.

The contestants are split into two groups, male and female. They compete against each other in a weekly competition. This could take the form of cutting perfect 6 ounce portions from a side of beef, to seeing who can make the best pizza. The winning team gets a great reward, while the losing team gets to do some very dirty and disgusting job in the kitchen.

In addition to this competition, the teams must complete a dinner service at the Hell's Kitchen Restaurant. All food needs to be up to Chef Ramsey's standards before it leaves the kitchen and goes out to the customers. This is when he gives most of his "lectures". Ramsey is trying to see who has the best culinary skills and who can stand-up to the pressure of a grueling dinner service
Yes, his methods are extreme, but if you can withstand his tirades and his abuse, and still cook world class cuisine, I think you have what it takes to run his kitchen. It is an entertaining show where you not only get to see how people perform under intense pressure, but you can also gain some culinary tips. It just too bad some of the contestants don't take advantage of Chef Ramsey's education and experience.

As I have stated before, there are only a few reality television shows that I am willing to watch. The reason that I don't watch very many of them is because I hate seeing people constantly sniping and stabbing each other in the back. Isn't that part of Hell's Kitchen? Yes, but for the most part Chef Ramsey doesn't let them get away with it.

The other Reality Shows I watch are The Deadliest Catch on the Discovery Channel and Ghost Hunters on the Sci Fi Channel. I know, quite a leap from Crab Fishing to Hellish Kitchens to Hunting Ghosts but, as they say, variety is the spice of life.

http://gourmetfood.about.com/od/chefbiographie1/p/ramsaybio.htm

How to Maintain Your Exercise Equipment

You've gone and done it. You went and spent hundreds of dollars on an exercise machine. There it sits, in the middle of the room just waiting for you to come for a visit; and visit you do. Every day you religiously workout. Weeks into your routine, you have no desire to stop. Soon, you have passed the dreaded six-week point and guess what, you're still motivated to continue.

I say this is great!! Keep up the good work. However, there is a slight problem: you have neglected to pay attention to your exercise pal. Yes, he needs love too.

If you read the instruction manual that came with your exercise machine, you will notice that they ask that before each exercise session, you check and make sure that all the screws and bolts are tight. Yeah, Right! OK, everyone out there who does this before your workout, raise your hands. I see a few out there, but most of you are just looking around at each other. I'll bet you that those of you who raised your hands are the same ones who floss their teeth every night. Am I right?

I realize that performing maintenance on your machine EVERY time you use it is a bit much, but it is a very important step that MUST be taken. Your safety depends on it. The vibrations caused as you exercise, DO tend to loosen screws and bolts. The machine DOES need to be cleaned. Since you have spent untold hundreds on this piece of equipment, you need to protect your investment and yourself.

If you don't maintain your equipment on a daily basis, at the very least do it once a week. As a reward to yourself instead of exercising on Friday, use that time to perform a checkup on your machine. Go through and make sure everything is "tight and right." Take a cloth and wipe it down. If needed, lubricate any moving parts (Be sure to check your instruction manual on how to do this).

If you maintain your exercise equipment on a regular basis, it will give you years of use. This will not only protect your investment, but will help keep you safe.