The Game of Life

2009...

2009-01-01T22:11:00.000-08:00

I think I'm going to really make a stab at getting this thin got work this year... not resolutions, but more of a commitment. I'm committing, with God's help ('cause I sure don't seem to be able to do this myself!), to partner with Him to tale better care of myself. To exercise regularly, and to do a better job at eating in a more healthy way. If I manage (partnering with Him) to be faithful in this, there should be some significant, and tangible results.... weight, girth, and general health. I also commit to report weekly. Happy New Year!

It's been a while.... a looooong while!

2008-10-14T12:45:00.000-07:00

Well, you've probably noticed that there hasn't been much activity on this blog lately(!).

I confess it's really been pretty much the same old story, travel, not much progress weight wise (in fact... slippage), so I've not been motivated to whine and/or make excuses here.

A couple months (maybe) ago, Wanda decided that she really wanted to swim for exercise, so she went down and joined the Local YMCA. She's now got access to their lap pool pretty much any time she wants to use it, and has been going two or three times a week and really enjoying it.

Last night, she said, "Why don't you come with me and check out the place?" Now, I confess (some more confession... I hear it's good for the soul!), that I really wasn't all that up to go out... couch potato-ing sounded like a much more enjoyable use of time. But she's been so good to be with that I couldn't turn down an opportunity to go out with her. We went to the "Y".

When we got there, while Wanda swam, I got a tour of the facility and all the gadgets and programs they have. When we got all finished, I was impressed. The fellow (Ozzie... he's a great salesman!), finished by asking if I had any questions, and layed out the membership options for me to think about. I decided I could probably think about it forever, and would never DO anything...

So I signed up. My appointment to get a program put together for me is Thursday at 5:00PM!

I'll keep you posted on how it goes, but I'm excited.

This is Shiloh's Fault!

2008-08-21T06:18:00.000-07:00

You Are a Blueberry Flavored Popsicle

You are a very unusual person. For you, summer is all about adventure and travel.
You are brilliant and bright. Your mind is always sharp and working at full capacity.

You seek out new and different experiences. You get bored very easily.
You are very creative. Of all of the types, you're the most likely to invent a new popsicle.

BTW: Still too fat, not enuf exercise.

I've Been Away...

2008-08-06T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well... not physically away... well actually a little away... I'm sitting in Orlando, Florida as I write this... but also, there's been A LOT going on. Okay, I haven't been getting the exercise I really need in the last few weeks, although the guys and I did make Quicksilver and covered 5 miles last Saturday. But, there's been a lot going on.

Guys... anybody willing to listen... my prayer is that God blesses you with a daughter, that she grows up to be a fine, Godly woman, and that she falls in love with the right guy for her... some one that you too can respect, trust, and love. Then, you'll get to walk her down the aisle and present her to him.... There was the day I got married, the day my daughter was born, the day my son was born, and the day I walked my daughter down the aisle. Yup, Crug's wedding was beautiful and wonderful, and I envy Dave Shaw his privilege that day (and he actually got to marry the two as well!), but there's almost nothing to compare with your daughter's marriage to a wonderful man. Oh... and the party... the reception was amazing as well.

I put on a couple pounds over the course of the last few weeks, but I'm thinkin' that that's probably OK, at least for now.

I guess it's back to the diet and exercise now... but WHAT a GREAT time. Bide your time guys... God is Good... huh... he's AWESOME! What a gift!

And Back on the Road...

2008-07-08T08:44:00.000-07:00

Travelling again this week.

Did get exercise a couple times last week, but missed my goal of four; I think I'm still hovering at 220, so there are certainly opportunities there as well. Next week (with any luck) I'll be more regimented!

Ruts

2008-06-30T21:25:00.000-07:00

I believe I mentioned I was travelling last week, which can be a good thing, but is often just a hassle. You see, when I travel, it's often to attend a multi-day meeting, seminar, or class... so I'm tied up pretty much during the day, and then have the evening to catch up on all the regular work that didn't get done while I was in the meeting/class/seminar, etc.

This does NOT leave lots of time for stuff like exercise, and, candidly the food choices aren't all that healthy either (typically)... and the of course, there's always the option of bad choices...

Bottom line, no exercise... and I'm STILL at 220 (which is really pretty remarkable... it seems to me it should be more!)

Home this week. Let's hope things improve!

On the Road Again!

2008-06-23T06:58:00.001-07:00

After six weeks' break, I find myself traveling again. I'm in San Diego for a week of class, having arrived last night... late.

I don't have an "infernal weight machine" here in my hotel, so I can't say where I am there, but, as I only managed to exercise ONCE! (AAAARRRGGHH!) last week, (unless you want to count mowing the lawns), I'm sure it's not any significant loss.

Almost makes me sorry I've "gone public..."

Busy is NOT Good!

2008-06-16T22:12:00.000-07:00

OK... Exercised twice (only) and the "machine" is stuck on 220... (Could be worse, I suppose).

Very busy week, with lots going on, and... who has time to really exercise? OK, OK, so better this week.

I'm in prety good shape though, according to my cardiologist... "Keep working on the weight," he says.

Thanks for "stayin' tuned."

An Uphill Climb

2008-06-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

Grace is such a wonderful thing!

I read "somebody else's" blog this morning, before I had a chance to post this. I'm grateful that I'm not the only one around who's not always... on course.

This week was really busy... I spent a LOT of time working, which made me late for just about everything else I had to do. In weeks prior, I've made it a point to walk the 1.2 miles to church for any appointments, classes, etc., that I needed to attend... sort of "built in exercise." Since I was mostly late, I walked TO chruch only once, and made no round trips (which I consider 'meeting the mark' for my four-times-weekly-at-least-tem-minutes-per-day regimen.). And my accountability group didn't meet/hike this week, so I was a slug there and didn't do anything on my own... Exercise this week was a bust for me. (And the sad news is that I find myself this morning with less energy, and I'm kinda sore... Aaaarrrghhh!)

One the [less] bright side, at least I didn't gain any weight this week... but I didn't loose any either. Still sitting at 220.

I'm hopeful for a better week this week.

AAArrrggghhhh! The Path Levels!

2008-06-02T15:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I suppose nothing goes on forever.

First the Good News: Exercise = 4 times again this week. Saturday, I enjoyed a 4 mile romp with some of my High School Connection Group at the Pinnacles. We had a great time. Distance 4 miles, but with some good elevation gain. Oh... heh, heh, the 4 miles was including an extra loop due to a wrong turn... I guess it's been a while since I was there, and, well... you know old guys and their memory...

Then... stupid, infernal, weight guaging device! It seems not to have budged since last week! Still 220!!! How annoying. And here I am at this point in my life WANTING to go downhill! Yet to no avail. I suppose that now I need to be MORE careful about what I eat. Hmmmm... stay tuned.

"Down" the Path

2008-05-26T09:08:00.000-07:00

Another week goes by. Seems like the days in May and June are busy for everybody! School coming to an end, work, projects, lots to do!

And still I managed to get in my requisite four exercise times! Walked to church (about 1,8 miles round-trip... so about 20 minutes - in two 10 minute segments) three times last week, and my faithful accountability partners tackled the 5-mile loop at Quicksilver once again... this week in an hour and forty minutes... not bad! (Although I confess, they were instrumental in keeping this "Old Guy" at that pace!!

Oh.. as to the "infernal machine"... made 220 this week, but the slope of the path seems to be smaller. Now I understand that losing 7 pounds in three weeks is pretty aggressive, but I think I need to add a little better diet to my exercise regimen.

For next week, I'm shooting for a respectable 219. Let's see how it goes.

A Pretty Good Week!

2008-05-19T11:34:00.001-07:00

Second Week... continued progress...

The evil weight-counting-measurement-contraption this morning grudgingly spat out... 221!! Now I hold no illusions about tremendous progress (although I AM encouraged!) -- I'm sure this is just due to "water weight loss" or some other such technicality... but I'll take (or lose!) whatever I can get.

I suspect this glowing accomplishment was in no small part due to the fact that I managed 5 times exercising this past week. Walking to and from church, walking instead of driving, and my faithful accountability partners traipsing five miles over hill and dale in Quicksilver Park on Saturday. A generaly satisfying effort.

So, onto next week: the requisite four times exercising (I'll not get greedy here!), and a taget for the infernal weight-counting-measurement-contraption-machine of 220. We'll see how it goes. Thanks for stopping by!

Week One Results

2008-05-11T22:13:00.000-07:00

And here we are at the conclusion of Week One. First and foremost, let me extend my thanks to those well-wishers, prayer warriors, and encouragers who have rallied to my (rather ample) side this week. I very much appreciate your efforts and kindness.

That said, the evil scale machine this morning read 224, exceeding my goal by a full pound! I think I'll go out and celebrate with a glass of... iced tea (unsweetened!). With good progress on the weight front, I'm planning (on my march to get rid of 27 pounds) to come in this week at 223... not a hefty goal, but I think a reasonable one: I don't want to go for huge loses and then plateau... so we'll head for 223.

As to the exercise goal... uh hehm... the goal was to exercise for at least ten minutes a minimum of four times this week. I made three: walked to church (12-15 minutes), briskly, and then home again on Wednesday night. Hiked 2 miles (about 45 minutes) Saturday morning with my accountability group (THANKS GUYS!), and then made the round-trip to church again this morning... 3 times.... yeah, I exceeded the ten minutes, but the Doc says consistency is the REAL key, so I need to get better at this...

See you next week at 223 and FOUR times of exercise (minimum).

It's True... I'm Overweight...

2008-05-05T16:17:00.000-07:00

So today begins one of the most important parts of this Blog... Personal Accountability.

I had my annual physical today, and although he was nice, my erstwhile physician informed me that not only was I overweight, but according to my Body Mass(ive!) Index, I could be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery! Now there's a pleasant thought!

So... This morning when I weighed myself, the nasty machine read 227... According to the Doc, that's at LEAST 27 pounds too much, so that's the first goal. LOOSE 27 POUNDS. I need to be better about what I eat, but the most important element of this campaign is consistent exercise. SO this week, I need to get out and walk, bike, or something, at least 4 times... only for a whoppin' 10 minutes.... (at least.... I'm up for more, but finding the time is tricky).

Let's see if I can exercise at least 4 times before next Monday, and make the "infernal machine" read no more than 225.

Whassup?

2008-05-02T09:19:00.000-07:00

This is all Stephanie Iles' fault.

She has been so brave as to make New Year's Resolutions... not really a big deal... but then she has the audacity to keep them... and not only to keep them, but to hold herself PUBLICLY accountable. Talk about "brave and courageous..."

Well... it seems I have some issues of my own... al least one coincident with Steph.

I am overweight... aw heck, I'm not overweight, I'm fat! FAT! ANd I really don't like it. Now I am a huge fan of Professor Harold Hill, but apparently, when it comes to losing weight, his patented "Think Method" ("Think boys... THINK!") doesn't cut it... I need to be serious.

The "Musings" Blog (yeah, I know, it's gotten pretty stale... maybe I'll post about that later), is just not a venue for my personal, life stuff, so Im creating this little spot to share less philosophical, more "Kit" things... and also to invite assistance in making some needed changes.

So I'll "pile in the little plastic car," "spin the wheel" and see where this lands!