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!!

A New Perspective

Ever see things in a different way after doing it the same way for so long? Well, the little guy got turned around in the car after a year of riding backwards and watching the world fly by him. He has relished every moment of seeing the world sail by him this week.

Last week, I started working a few evening a week at a nursing home that I worked at for almost 6 years, but have not worked at for the last 4 years. I was reminded of several reasons I loved my job there including everyone greeting each other by name, and the overall friendly, home-like atmosphere. I was also reminded of one of the big reasons I was happy to be leaving in the first place...walking.

Monday night, there happened to be a concert and the residents needed to be escorted to the room in which the concert was to take place. It has got to be at least 1000 steps each time from the elevator to the room round trip, not exaggerating either!! When I worked there 4 years ago, I would get winded after a trip or two, on Monday night, I was longing for more trips! My thoughts changed over the years. I no longer wish for the escorting to end, but long for more as it means more exercise. My perspective has changed. I need to remember that as I reach for the leftover brownies, cake, etc.

Why is Everyday a Special Day?

Why is it so much easier to blog when you're doing well? Me, not so well lately. It seems to me that I have had several "special" days in a row. Meaning...it's a special day, I don't need to be careful of what I'm eating today. It started with last week Wednesday and has continued daily.

Last Wednesday, little guy's first birthday. Had to have a "row" of brownies or he'd be made at me ;)

Last Thursday, day after little guy's birthday. Gotta eat another "row" of brownies or they'll continue to haunt me till they're gone.

Last Friday, my wife's teacher appreciation dinner. What a buffet of awesome Mexican food, not to mention the Pina Coloda's!

Saturday: family wedding. First time my extended family has seen me since May of 2007. I look a lot different, celebrate with a "few" pieces of dessert.

Sunday: sister's graduation. You only graduate from high school once, so I better have another "few" pieces of cake.

Monday: trip to the zoo. Field trip with the K4 and 2nd grade and it's hard to pack a healthy lunch to go to the zoo, I'm not counting points for that!

Tuesday/Today: Caryn's K4 graduation. Again, you only graduate from kindergarten...well, let's see...you ONLY graduate from K4 once.


I have found excuses to not count points or to splurge on cake/brownies/sweets daily since early last week. The madness will only continue if I allow it too. Today, will be a good day as I passed on all the K4 treats since I don't want everyday to be a special day because before long, I will need a special trip to the store to buy bigger pants!!

Excuses for eating is what got me to the point I needed help in the first place. Eating when no one was watching got me to the point I needed help. Portion control and not exercising got me to the point I needed help. Need to get back to the point of healthy eating and exercising quick!

I had a great day yesterday for the first time in a week and will try to build upon it for today.

One Year Ago Today

My wife had to remind me of how it all went down this morning. Remember that I am a guy and have a short memory for things like this. Apparently, a year ago today my wife had an appointment to get induced at 7:00am at the hospital. Can't tell you many details beyond that because honestly I just plain don't remember. Don't worry, she reminded me of everything from how my oldest got to school, to exactly how the big baby stuck his hand out first before making his entire presence known.

Today, is my baby's first birthday! It is days like this that make the memories that form your entire life. Even though I couldn't remember dropping our kids off at daycare or how my oldest got to school, I remember the joy of the day. Seeing my little Alex, not wanting anything to do with a new baby brother. Seeing my girls so excited to hold a new brother and how Caryn is still the Mommy of the brood. I remember what I was wearing and thinking how I could have never fit into that same shirt when my other 3 kids were born. I remember that I was unable to cut the cord of this little guy as I did with the other 3 since the docs wanted to get him to the warming table quickly since he wanted to make an awkward appearance first.

Days like this remind you of the lifestyle you choose to live. Even though I have been struggling to keep the last 5 pounds off, I've been living a healthy lifestyle focusing on making better choices though not always the best choices. Days like this remind you of what's important in life! I am here, I am healthy, I am a father again!!

Happy Birthday Big Ben and here's hoping I can continue to chase you down when you're 35!!

Quality of Life

This past weekend, I attended a weekend Bachelor Party. We played paintball during the day on Saturday. It was my first experience playing and I had a load of fun. It was amazing to me to watch the 17 guys on our "team" play. We had a wide variety of ages, athletic ability, physical limitations, etc. I noticed many of the guys that were heavier always stayed back to be the defenders while those of us that were in better shape took charge of the attack. It was also interesting to me that several of the attackers were the older guys. Why? They have kept themselves in shape and were able to move spryly around the field.

Why is it that grandfathers of 60+ are in much better physical condition than single guys of about 30? Choices!! They grandfathers, in my opinion, have had the motivation to stay in shape while their children were growing up and now that they have grandchildren, they want to try to keep up with them as well. The single guys are living for themselves and in some cases killing themselves by not taking better care of themselves.

Who do I want to be in 30 years? On Saturday, I was introduced to a few guys that are my age, but looked older than my friend's parents. I want to be able to be one of the grandfathers taking his grandson out for a day of adventure. I do not want to be a defender standing in the shadows while everyone else has fun on the attack.