Staycation vs. Vacation

Last week, during WW meetings the idea of taking a vacation was discussed. Having a destination in mind (a goal) is important when taking a vacation. What makes a vacation exciting is the preparation!! Preparing to go to Disney World at the end of this week, we are experiencing all kinds of exciting new experiences. The kids helped dig out suitcases and the car top carrier was uncovered from the basement with a test run of how much luggage we can stuff in it.

Is a vacation different than a staycation. A staycation takes much less planning, much less effort and can sometimes be done on the spur of the moment. A staycation can consist of a day-trip, an over night trip, or just a weekend.

Planning to reach a goal is important. My MIL has had a list of things to bring, which she started well over a year ago, probably even before we planned to go!! Our family doesn't do lists, as my wife stated: then I'd have to remember where I left the list!!

A goal is always a good thing to look forward to. What will happen once the vacation is over though?

I'm looking forward to a great trip with our family and as Grandpa "reminded" me, the WHOLE family. In my head, I have a plan for what I will do foodwise and exercise wise, and I'm hoping that it will not turn into a huge foodfest.

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?