Make The Most of Your Time

Greetings Friends~

I live in an age where it is easy to get distracted. Each generation has their own distractions. Our great grand parents and grand parents had the radio. We, our parents and ourselves, had the television. Our children have computers, video games, cell phones for texting, Facebook and MySpace, and much more.

I am often drawn in, with ease, to spending countless hours in front of the television or computer, doing nothing of value other than being a 52 year old man who is babysat by a box. While there are times that this is acceptable, there are largely other stretches of time that it is not.

Part of my obesity problem is because I amuse myself endlessly with electronic distractions. I am fond of saying that I hate television, that it is really a waste of time, that I will never get these hours back, that it is a direct cause of where we are at today as a society. In truth, I am as addicted and hypnotized as the rest of society.

When I am watching television or surfing the net, I am NOT doing the other things that I should be. I'm not getting ready for tomorrow AND, I am usually eating mindlessly, hand in the bag or bowl, with my eyes glazed over.

Here is what I would like to challenge each of us to do. Get our responsibilities done first and then, and only then; play with the magic glowing box. If that doesn't jive with the time that our "favorite" show is on, well, just record it for later.

Take some "me" time after you have packed your lunch for tomorrow, after you have packed your gym bag or planned your walk, and then surf the net. But this time, surf for tools, hints and ideas that are going to assist each of you in your journey. Have you ever looked at what is available to us Chubsters in the way of information about dieting? There are tons.

MSN has a whole Health and Fitness section. I love to occasionally check out the Weight Loss section where I find "before" and "after" pictures as well as how each person lost the weight. There is plenty of inspiration to be discovered in there journey.

AOL, Yahoo, Google and many others, have the same type of content and resources. Why do you think that is? Because such a large part of our society is over weight and desperately seeking answers and inspiration.

Give it a try. You might find yourself entertained in a positive helpful way and discover that ONE thing that will help you lose some weight.

Inspiration of the Day

Do not anticipate trouble, or worry about what may never happen. Keep in the sunlight. - Benjamin Franklin, 1706-1790

Recipe of the Day

Here is another appetizer for your New Year's Eve menu. If you use light thousand island dressing, you can save some calories. http://www.recipezaar.com/Stuffed-Reuben-Mushrooms-347783

Shopping Tips

Safeway has the following items on sale this week; Dungeness crab for $3.47 a pound, Fuji apples for $.98 a pound, large avocados for $.88 each, zucchini squash for $.99 a pound and ground turkey buy one get one free so your two 20 oz packages works out to $3.50 each. (I am going to try the zucchini and turkey in this week's lasagna recipe).

QFC has Alaskan Coho salmon fillets for $6.99 a pound, 31-40 ct frozen raw shrimp for $3.99 a pound and Kroger peanut butter for $1.29 each.

Albertson's has assorted Lean Cuisine frozen entrees for $1.67 each, fresh green beans for $1.49 a pound, Del Monte Fruit Natural cups for $1 each, assorted pears for $1.29 a pound and Special K cereal, granola and bars for $2.49 each (buy 4 and get the 5th one for free).

As I mentioned yesterday, we are going to have another contest that is running simultaneously with our weight loss. Here is how it will work.

Beginning on January 1, 2010, each member and follower that makes a comment on that day's post will receive an entry into a drawing to be held at the Finale party in May. You are allowed one entry per post. I will add up the comments at the end of Part 2 and all tickets will go into my big old black top hat. The name (or number) that is drawn will entitle the winner to a $50 gift certificate to a store or restaurant of their choice OR you can have the cash. You do not need to be present to win. The more times you make a daily comment, the higher your odds of winning. If you are not currently a follower, there are directions on the left on how to sign up. If you need assistance figuring out the comment part, drop me an email or give me a call. You can comment about anything (within reason), leave diet and exercise tips, or just provide a word of wisdom.

Don't forget, as we close in on the prospect of a fresh slate in the New Year, that this journey is about more than myself. I know that there are compadres out that that want to shed pounds and be a mere shadow of their current self. Sometimes it is for health issues and sometimes it is for something as simple as looking good on vacation or at a class reunion. The reasons don't matter. What is important is that you can make this long journey by taking little bitty steps and soon you will be on your way. Do it for you, do it for me, do it One Step at a Time.

Happy Trails!