Falling Uphill

I was watching a local morning talk show this morning and was introduced to the book Falling Uphill. It was written by a man who traveled around the world on his bike. Wasn't the best interview that I have ever watched and some of what he had to say was just plain weird. But he did encourage readers/watchers to get out of their comfort zone. Adventures are abound and to really experience life one must be somewhat daring. I'm not going to be trying to bike around the world anytime soon, but I was thinking maybe I could relate this to weight loss by trying a new food, exercise, adventure weekly that would put me outside my comfort zone.

I'll start with a new food next week to be determined, followed by an adventure the following week as we head to Disney on our first ever family vacation!

You Are What You Eat!!

Failed to mention my favorite BBC America addication. This show is disgussing. Not only do they show the outrageous amounts of fried foods these people eat, they have a nutritionist who studies their POOP!! Luckily, they only describe the pooh in detail: color, size, smell, etc. but never show it. It really is a cool show only wish I knew how many English "stones" make an American "pound."

All is well here, enjoying this week home before a busy week of packing and nervousness before leaving for a 10 day jaunt to Disney World. Eating well and making sure to get some exercise in daily. My 3 yr. old loves playing baseball. We don't use a baseball yet, more like the size of a kick ball, but he is getting really good at smacking that thing around the backyard and making the old man (me), run around to fetch it. He's Prince Fielder in training and hopefully all the practice turns into gold someday and he better remember me when he gets famous ;)

Reality TV

You know it's summer when reality TV hits the air waves. I've been wasting too much of my time watching "Ruby," "I Eat 33,000 Calories a Day," "The Virgin Who Lost 400 Lbs.," and the newest Biggest Loser..."Dance Your A** Off!" where contestants exercise in nontraditional ways to lose weight. This week was Pole Dancing. Can't say it was a pretty sight.

Not sure what calls me to them, I can't stand Ruby's childish sounding drawl and really think the show is goofy, but it keeps calling my name. The TLC shows have been eye opening. One of the 33,000 calorie people had nothing but "tan" food for the day. Over 20,000 calories and nothing was colored. Fruits and veggies add more to our diets than just the vitamins and minerals. Never thought of the importance the color plays.

Off to catch another mind numming episode of "Ruby."

$1790.00

What's the difference between $179.00 and $1790.00? One unhappy Weight Watcher!!

What a morning of WW meetings!

First, I woke up 20 minutes late, didn't even hear the alarm. It was hot, the fan was running and the thunder and lightning was lulling me to sleep. So I was unable to have my usual morning oatmeal and grabbed a quick yogurt. Went to Starbucks, which happens to be right across the street from the Weight Watcher center. I knew something was not right as there were actually people there at the strip mall. What also did not look good was that they had several sheet of plywood and were boarding places up. Thought for a moment that one of the restaurants had gone out of business till I actually looked closer and realized that they were boarding up the doors to 3 businesses out of the six that occupy the strip mall. Luckily, WW shares an entry with one of the quick loan types chains and the bugulars thought twice knowing they have tons of cameras around, so WW was untouched.

That was only the beginning of the biggest problem of the morning. After the 9:00 meeting, a lovely new member came into the center with a receipt in her hands for $1790.00, which she received when joining during the Thursday night meeting. She had received a call from her credit card company inquiring about a large amount billed to her from Weight Watchers. She was totally right. Her amount due should have been $179 for a new 17 week pass that has been recently rolled out. What a mess! I called WW, then was told to try our location coordinator, then the territory manager, then the credit card machine company. I should have started right with the credit card machine company as they were quick to fix the problem, which really turned out to be no problem at all.

Seems the receptionist at that meeting, who happens to be the location coordinator hit one too many zeros, but caught the mistake. She did fix the problem on Thursday night, but the credit back to her account would take 3-5 business days. Why is it that they are so quick to take money, but not so willing to give it back? A simple phone call that same evening to the new member would have cleared everything up, but the receptionist thought it would get straightened out immediately.

I acted calm and collected and the other receptionist and the leader and even the member who had the member all complimented me on my calmness and unwillingness to give up after being put on hold more than a few times.

If that wasn't enough to make me want to eat everything in site, I'm not sure what would.

Thanks Nancy for the mango links, turns out the way I have been pealing my mangoes is easier and less messy. Maybe I'll have to make a video ;)

I Love Mangoes!!

They definitely are in season and the price is right. Now to find an easy way to cut them up without getting terribly messy!

Roger Federer

I was listening to the radio last night and heard a quote from John McEnroe's autobiography about being #1. Couldn't find it on a quick search of the Internet, but it was something about working so hard to become #1 and then when you become #1 you realize that you have to work even harder to stay #1. Struck me much the same as the struggle to lose weight and the bigger struggle to keep it off.

Working to lose weight becomes a challenge and strategies are formed and routines are set to get to a goal. Once that goal is reached the reality sets in. Now what? The goal is reached and the incredibly difficult part is yet to come. Staying on top of your game is hard and continuous focus is a must. There will be faults along the way, but those who have worked so hard to get where they are today will continue to be a winner.

Wimbledon was the most amazing tennis I have watched in a long time. I really wasn't rooting for either competitor, only for a good match and that it was.

I love contests!!

Happy 4th of July!! Anyone in the mood for eating 68 hot dogs in 10 minutes? That's what Joey Chestnut downed today!!

Tried on Shorts

I went shopping yesterday with the little guy as I had a Kohl's bill to pay. I tried on several pairs of shorts. Many more than I normally would have tried on. I tried different brands, different sizes, and different styles. It occurred to me that the real difference between a 32 and a 34 is really not in the waist, but the "extra" material. All the 32's that I tried on fit in the waist, but most were pretty uncomfortable because of various reasons...too tight in the hips, too tight in the rear, too tight in the...well, you get the picture. All the 34's that I tried on fit almost exactly the same in the waist, but the extra material was different for all of them. I bought a few pair of 34's, not because I don't think I'll need my 32's again, because I've been wearing a pair comfortably. Seems the extra material in them is in the right regions. The other two pair of 32's that I have are still tight, but not in the waist. Clothes!!

Doing fine on the food front, but for some reason the summer with everyone home has thrown a curve in my whole routine. I thought it would be easier, but has its challenges. I'm exercising regularly, but feeding six people every meal seems more challenging than just worrying about dinner for the most part.

Off to the 4th of July parade tonight...I know it's only the 2nd, who plans these things anyway?

Casey at the Bat...Beating Yourself Up

Casey McGehee had one memorable night last night for the Brewers. He started by making a bone-head move by dropping an easy "grandma" catch at third base. "Grandma" catch being that even the most unathletic people could have made the catch. He allowed two runs to score and continued to beat himself up even though his team was still winning. During the bottom half of the same inning, Casey came up to bat with the bases loaded. A great time to redeem himself for a ridiculously silly error during the top half of the inning. What did he do? He more than made up for the error by smacking a huge grand slam, the first of his young career. The crowd went wild and even got young Casey to come out of the dugout for a curtain call! Was he happy? Not one bit! After he belted the homer, he continued to yell at himself in the dugout, screaming into his helmet about the error he had made.

Why is it so much easier to remember the bone-headed plays? Why do we continue to beat ourselves up for things that we know we can do better? I'm sure Casey McGehee will always remember his first grand slam, but he will also remember the dumb error he made prior to becoming the hero.

A natural defense mechanism is self-deprication. We stay "on guard" and remember all the mistakes that we had made in the past, but seldom remember the good things we've accomplished. Today, I will attempt to remember one of the good choices I've made and try to quickly forget all the bone-headed errors I've made.

One last baseball note...must be nice to come into a game, make one pitch and earn a save. One "pitch" or choice makes a day successful.

Off to find a recipe for sauerkraut pie, wonder how the kids would like that one ;)

Are Points Good or Bad?

My soon-to-be 8 yr. old asked me this over the weekend. Points are great in most sporting events, advice columns and sharp pencils, but are they good for "Weight Watchers." My answer to her was simple...there are good points and there are bad points, stay away from the bad points and you're a winner!! It was simple enough that she understood for know.

But then, she grabbed the 90 calories snacks we had bought on our "Daddy brings the FOUR kids grocery shopping for milk" adventure last week. Needless to say, milk was not the only thing we left the store with. She went on to ask the obvious question once again: Are calories good or bad?

Looking forward to another beautiful week in Wisconsin. Highs in the 70's all week, I may have to get off my lazy duff and go for a walk this week.

Putting the Winter Eating Habits Away

I put my winter clothes away long ago. I refuse to wear sweaters past March 1st, but continue to wear long sleeves for quite a while afterwards. I refuse to wear gloves/mittens or my winter coat after April 1st, but continue to wear a coat long afterwards. Now, it's June and usually it's shorts all the time, but you know about the shorts...

Why is it that I change my clothes with the seasons and the eating habits usually don't change? However, I have noticed myself eating differently this month. It doesn't seem that I want to take the time or energy to "prepare" food. Instead, I'm reaching for the raw food, easy to assemble and quick to eat. Salads, fruits, yogurts have replaced the cooked veggies and soups of the winter. Who wants to eat a steaming hot bowl of soup on a 100 degree day?

I'm also noticed that I'm drinking more and snacking less. Seems the winter brings with it a need to stock up the cheeks like a squirrel and the summer brings with it the need to bare all!!

It's been a busy, hot summer so far watching all the kids this week as the wife is helping with summer school. Long days by the backyard kiddy-pool!

A Renewed Motivation

Last week, I worked more hours than I cared to work and saw several co-workers I hadn't seen for almost four years. On Friday, while escorting some residents to and from an activity, a co-worker stopped me to say, "You're the talk of the home!" She went on to say them I looked great and have personally inspired her to do something about her weight. I have never had anyone stop to give a comment quite like that before. It actually came as a bit of a shock to me, but I took it and ran with it for the weekend.

Had an awesome weekend tracking EVERYTHING for two days for the first time in a long time. I will continue to stay honest to myself as I have let things get a little out of hand lately. I know I can do this, it's just a matter of how bad I want it. Now, with the pressure of knowing that people are "using" me as a real-life success story, I need to prove to myself and others that I can continue to be a success.

My Father's Day was peaceful. Went to the MIL's and stayed away for the "lessthanhalffullbagoftaffy" that I had brought the last time I visited. I came with a plan stocking my pocket full of WW fruities and snacking on them throughout the afternoon. The kids stayed outside most of the afternoon and I napped with the little guy while snoozing to the Brewer Game, US Open and NASCAR race. A successful afternoon of peacefullness!

Uncomfortable Shorts

Last summer, I bought two pair of shorts that were a bit snug then thinking that I would lose a few more pounds and they would become more comfortable. Unfortunately, the few more pounds came in the wrong direction and my "bit snug" shorts have become a bit more snug. My pants fit fine since I never bought the smaller sizes. So, I've been wearing pants so far this summer.

My wife offered the suggestion to buy new shorts. Do I really want to buy new shorts and accept defeat? She said I should keep the small ones for "next summer" and buy some comfortable ones. I'm not sure what to do. Do I wear the totally uncomfortable ones and hope to lose the few pounds that are making them uncomfortable or do I just bite the bullet and buy one pair of comfortable shorts in the same size as my pants, which fit fine?

Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I'd be mad about buying new clothes. I don't want to make excuses about my weight and having to buy new clothes either, but I really should have never bought the smaller ones in the first place. What would you do?

I'm thinking, pants are working now, but when I go to Florida in late July, shorts would be welcome.

What are Your Priorities?

What's important to you? I've been thinking about this the past few weeks and had a great interaction with another male WW employee last week. He has worked for WW for over 25 years and I used his experience to get some things straight. He has continued to struggle with his weight for the entire 25 years. In fact, the last 3 yrs. is the first and only time during his struggle that he has been at the same waist size for an extended period. This got me thinking how important this struggle really is!!

What's important to you? There are so many oddities that occur in life and often we make those "not-so-important" things a priority. The things that are really important usually get put on the back-burner for a while. Put yourself first!! I understand and KNOW that is not always possible, but if I don't take care of myself, I won't be taking care of anyone/anything else later on.

My priorities...I definitely care about my family, but I need to take care of myself before I can take care of them.

Have a great Tuesday and if you're interested in reading some "Struggles of a Stay at Home Dad," Check me out here today!!

Strawberry Picking

Last week, Alex and I picked berries from the garden. We ate most as we picked, but did manage to save a few for a picture. So far, we've picked about 4 quarts full and eaten many more :)

We planted them about 5 years ago and the first 2 yrs were not fruitful, but now we get tons for both us and the birds/squirrels to enjoy!!