Week 17 Results

Greetings Friends~

Congratulations to this week's Biggest (and only) Loser Sharon. I appreciate that you kept us from posting a big goose egg.

I am trying to claw my way back to a better place. I'll see you all when I do.
Happy Trails!

Call Me Ted Kacsynski

Greetings~

Here's the deal Travelers. I have nothing good to say, so as my Grandma Becky suggested many times, since I have nothing good to say, I won't say anything at all.

I'll post something when (or if) I am in a better mood (and place).

Seasons Change (And So Do We)

Greetings Friends~

It seems like it was just last week that I was making my New Year's resolutions and now it is April already. One day at a time, One Step at a Time, the calendar flies by.

I love this time of year for a variety of reasons, especially that the days are getting longer. I am a three season kind of guy. Well, maybe a 2.5 season kind of guy actually. I love March 1 thru September/October. The rest of the time I wish I lived in Palm Springs.

Anyway, this is my year. This is the year that I make myself better, both physically and mentally. So far, with three months gone by, I am on track. I may not get to the destination this year, or even next year, or possibly ever, but each day that goes by I am in a better place.

I am far from perfect though. Just when I think I have this thing called life figured out, something jumps up and surprises me. Physical and mental challenges abound but that's okay because it sure beats the alternative (death). There is no sense in worrying about those things that I can not control, especially since there are so many things that I could improve, which I do control.

My stress level at work the last month or so has been sky high and it is not likely to change until after the election in November. The saving grace for me is that I am able to burn away that stress, at least until tomorrow, by working out at the gym or by working on projects at home. Before, I would use food to make me feel better. I suppose that is still an option but not one that gets me any closer to my destination. I'm happy that food isn't the first thing I think of to elevate my moods.

Inspiration of the Day

It is not your aptitude, but your attitude, that determines your altitude. Zig Ziglar

Recipe of the Day

Here is a recipe, and a tip. Make this, enjoy a hearty meal, put the remainder into plastic serving sized containers and freeze. Now you have a quick easy lunch that is all ready to go. Just take it out the night before. Another benefit is this soup contains significantly LESS sodium than any store bought selection.
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Diet-Soup-21892

Shopping Tips

Not the greatest week for shopping at area stores but here it is anyway.

Safeway has the following items on sale this week; Eating Right or Weight Watchers Smart Ones frozen entrees (selected varieties) for $1.88 each and deli counter turkey breast for $4.99 a pound.

Top Foods has the following items on sale this week; large navel oranges for $.39 a pound, tomatoes on the vine for $1.49 a pound, Fresh Express Baby Blend Salad Mix - buy one for $3.49 - get the second for free, english cucumbers or carrots by the bunch for $1 each, organic Cameo apples for $1 a pound and Oroweat Sandwich Thins or Mini Bagels at 2 for $5.

Albertson's has the following items on sale this week; Campbell's Select Harvest soups for $1 each, Green Giant Valley Fresh Steamers without sauce for $1.29 each and Quaker Instant oatmeal for $1.40 each (must buy 5 to get this price) and Yoplait yogurt for $.50 each.

Today’s Link

Heart-Healthy Living



Happy Trails!

Week 16 Results

Greetings Friends~

Here are the results for Week 16.



Big kudos to Susan for being this week's Biggest Loser. Good job!

Each week that goes by gets me closer to my destination. Some weeks I lose weight and some I don't, much like the rest of the people I know that are trying to get healthy. Personally, the pound that I lose this week isn't the thing that gets me to the finish line. It is what I learn from each week that does that.

I have learned; that eating the correct kinds of food contributes greatly to how well I do, that eating the right kinds of foods in the wrong quantities is almost as bad as just eating one small "splurge" food such as a candy bar, that too much salt in and on my foods will cause me to bloat like a bull frog, that exercising or working outside or just being active makes a difference, that eating a larger meal in the morning is better than a larger meal in the evening. In the last 6 months I have learned, and re-learned, a lot.

I am happy to see that several of us have been able to lose enough weight that we can see a difference when we look at ourselves in the mirror. I am also pleased that many others who may not have lost all that they wanted are at least recognizing why and making some choices that are better than those that they may have made without the blog.

Success can be measured many ways. I hope that you look at the positive changes that you have made and see that you are a success. Telling yourself that what you have accomplished, however large or small, will be another step in your journey. Experience will also get us that much closer to our destination.

Inspiration of the Day

You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it. - Charles Buxton

Recipe of the Day

In the whole scheme of things, this recipe has a few more calories than what I prefer BUT the fat count is very low so I think there is a reasonable trade off. If you want to lower your per meal calorie intake with this, divide this into four portions and serve with a large green salad. http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Easy-Spicy-Shrimp-Pasta-Low-Fat-144728

Today's Link

A Healthier You

My small step for today is to skip the gym and get a workout by doing yard work before dinner.

Happy Trails!

Stay Positive

Greetings Friends~

If you read this blog, you know that I am a TOTAL Biggest Loser groupie. Seriously, if I had to do away with every other television program BUT the Biggest Loser, I could do it. While I LOVE Survivor, Lost, The Amazing Race and 24, the Biggest Loser is my all time favorite.

I checked out Bob Harper's new book, Are You Ready!, from the library recently. This is the second Biggest Loser book that I have checked out and this one is every bit as excellent as the cookbook I read earlier.

I must say that I am surprised about the content and style of the book. Seeing Bob week after week on TV, I would never have thought that he "suffers" from some of the same problems that all of us do. I won't go into all the details because I don't want to ruin it for any of you that might read the book but let me say that he certainly has gone through many of the same feelings that most of us have concerning how we feel about ourselves. This really amazed me. I always assumed that he was some kind of Superman.

I've only read a few chapters so far. I really like how he stresses that if we are to succeed in losing weight, and be successful in our lives, that we should concentrate more on the positives and less on the negatives. I am in complete agreement with him on that.

Instead of berating myself for not working out all three days this weekend, I should be pleased that I went to the gym twice. What difference does it really make that I chose to skip my workout today and instead substituted four strenuous hours of work in the garden? Why punish myself for missing a workout when I should be giving myself positives about how much I accomplished? Why be depressed that I might not lose an extra pound this week when the better choice is to feel proud that I made some great progress in getting "the place" back in order?

There are so many good messages that we can give ourselves but we so seldom do. I think this is because we have programmed ourselves to focus on the negatives, at least I do. I could have done more. I could have eaten less. I should have do this. I should have done that.

Take a few minutes and make a short list of positive things about yourself. Once you have made that list, read it and see how you feel. Then, when you are in one of those moods where everything you do seems to get you down, take out that list and read it again. Maybe even add an item to it. Before you know it, you may find that you have realized that there are a LOT more positive things about you then they are negatives.

Remember...fat may be WHAT we are...but not WHO we are.

Inspiration of the Day

When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us. - Alexander Graham Bell, 1847-1922, British-born American Inventor of Telephone

Recipe of the Day

Salmon is one of the few kinds of fish that I like to eat. Well, that's not really true. I would probably eat any fish if it is deep fried so let me say instead that salmon and halibut are two of the only kinds of fish that I like to eat that don't have to be covered in batter and deep fried. So here is yet another recipe for salmon that will put some variety in your diet. http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Grilled-Orange-and-Bourbon-Salmon-Fillets-159338

Today's Link

How Many Calories Do You Burn A Day (BMR Calculator)

I'm off to my weigh-in at Group Health. Today is another opportunity to show myself that I deserve better health and that I am strong enough to acheive it. Don't forget your small steps Travelers.

Happy Trails!

The Two's -- Continued

Greetings Friends~

So if anyone is still actually reading my ramblings, then you know that the other day I spoke about how I can't be satisfied with just one of something so I have to have two. That's why I call it the Two's.

No sooner had I written that then the next day I read online about the guy in Georgia who also must suffer from the Two's. Seems Chad Ettmueller hadn't eaten all day so he decides to celebrate a family event by taking the kids to a sandwich shop. He orders the Wicked, which is a sandwich with 5 kinds of meat and 3 kinds of cheese. Wait. Remember how I said he must have the Two's? No, it would be too easy if he had order two. Not Chad. He orders the Wicked and wants DOUBLE MEAT AND DOUBLE CHEESE! Imagine how big that sandwich was.

So the sandwich arrives, he picks it up and tries to take a bite. LOL, this is too amazing to believe. He dislocates his jaw trying to get a bite of the sandwich! For the next 14 hours, he is worked on at the hospital until finally they are able to put his jaw back in place.

By the way, the picture at the start of the post is the Wicked but only single meat and cheese. That's not even the double that Chad ordered.

I thought getting a stomach ache was bad enough after I have the Two's. Guess there are some far worse possibilities.

Inspiration of the Day

If you put a small value upon youself, rest assured that the world will not raise your price. - Unknown

Recipe of the Day

I want the Two's with this salad! http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Turkish-Salad-82177

Shopping Tips

Safeway has the following items on sale this week; Alaskan sockeye salmon fillets for $6.99 a pound, Eating Right frozen boneless skinless chicken breasts for $1.99 a pound, organic oranges for $.99 a pound, Safeway frozen sweet potato fries for $1.99 a bag, Del Monte fruit cups at 2 for $5, Chicken of the Sea solid white albacore tuna for $1.25 each.

Albertson's has the following items on sale this week; Post Cereal for $1.49 each (first 4) (I am going to be stocking up on Grape-Nuts. Mmm, so good mixed with yogurt for breakfast), gallons of milk for $2 each, Progresso soups for $1.39 each, celery for $.98 a bunch, and green or red leaf lettuce for $1.29 a head.
Top Food's has the following items on sale this week;  Petite sirloin steaks (all natural/USDA Choice) in the value pack for $2.97 a pound (Fri-Sun), avocados (use in that salad recipe on yesterday's post) for $.69 each, iceberg lettuce 2 for $1, Cameo apples (my new favorite apple) for $1 a pound, Anjou pears for $.89 a pound and Jennie-O marinated turkey tenderloins (1.5 pounds) for $5.49 each.

Today's Link

The Truth About Oil

Yesterday at work I was exhausted from all the phone calls from customers. Going to the gym last night was the LAST thing I wanted to do but I figured I should go anyway. What the heck, it wasn't going to make me feel any worse and at least I would feel good knowing that I did my workout.

My small step for today is to do something nice for someone.
Happy Trails!

Week 15 Results

Greetings Friends~

Here are the results for Week 15.

Chip lost 5 pounds. Congrats to me. I am sure that the results will be better next week. Don't prove me wrong Poppits!

I am going to keep this short since it is so late in the day.

I want to talk about changes that members of this blog have made since we started. There are some people that have joined the gym and are exercising. One member gave up her gym membership because it didn't fit into her schedule but now she is finding time to take a walk after work, several times a week. Another member joined Weight Watchers. Members are paying attention to what they eat. Finally, there are some members that were able to keep from gaining their usual 10 to 20 pounds of winter weight.

Sometimes the results are not only measured in how many pounds you have lost but the progress that you have made overall. Maybe you aren't bingeing (yes, that word is spelled correctly, I looked it up) as much. Or, like Mrs B and myself, you have changed to turkey bacon and Egg Beaters.

Don't make the scale your only measure of success, because it isn't.

Inspiration of the Day

The big secret in life is that there is no big secret. Whatever your goal, you can get there if you're willing to work. - Oprah Winfrey, 1954-present

 
Recipe of the Day

I was searching for something lite for today's recipe. This looks delicious and the reviews are excellent.
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Avocado-Lime-Salad-207168

Today’s Link

Ten Things Not To Say To Someone Trying To Lose Weight

Never lose hope. Things do have a way of getting better for those of us that take charge of things in our life. I decided that instead of living a life full of despair, that I would travel instead on a journey which is filled with hope and possibilities. I know there are Travelers out there that doubt that they are strong enough to make the trip...to go the distance. You don't have to be. All you have to do is be strong enough for today by taking small steps, One Step at a Time. If you take care of today, the tomorrows will take care of themselves.

Happy Trails!

Some Weeks Are A Drag

Greetings Friends~

I hope everyone had a fantastic Easter weekend. Mine was rather non-eventful. No attendance at a family dinner or a restaurant. I am thankful for that because this was one less temptation that I had to worry about.
I did manage to follow my small steps. I drank lots of water and worked out Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Yesterday I ran another 2 miles on the treadmill. I think I am getting used to it but will not overdo it because I do feel a little pain in my knees afterward. I will attempt to keep running every 2-3 days and see how I feel after that.

My shoulder seems to be on the mend. I am no longer bothered by a constant sharp pain when I lift my arm. I did swim a half mile yesterday after my run. The shoulder was starting to ache so I hit the hot tub which felt great on all those throbbing areas.

I talked to Rebecca yesterday. She just got back from a trip to California with her son Andrew. It is hard to travel and vacation, while still attempting to diet. As we talked, I thought it was funny (odd) how we both seem to have some of the same bad habits. I could go on but I'm pretty sure that the list would be long, as yours probably is.

One of my worse habits is the Twos. In case you don't know how that works, I will tell you. When I bbq hamburgers or go to Jack In The Box, I have TWO hamburgers. When we are lazing around the house and we decide to make sandwiches, I have TWO. It doesn't matter that we are making them with those big long slices of sourdough bread from Costco and that each ONE is huge. I HAVE to have TWO.

Why? I'm not really sure. I think part of it is that I am a glutton. The other part may be related to childhood when we didn't have much money and food was tight. It seems like I am still trying to compensate for those desires to have more. I don't really know why but I do know that it is pretty stupid the way my brain works. Physically one hamberger or sandwich will fill me up. Mentally I can't seem to not want more.

When we used to buy pizza at Papa Murphy's, even after the kids had left the nest, I always had to order TWO. Why? Because I was afraid that one wouldn't be enough.

I hope that someday I can find a cure for the TWOs.

Inspiration of the Day

There is no such thing in anyone's life as an unimportant day. – Alexander Woollcott, 1887-1943, American Columnist and Critic

Recipe of the Day

As I have said before, asparagus is one of my favorites and that is just another reason to welcome spring. We eat is a lot when it is on sale. Today and Tuesday it is cheapest at Albertson's, $1.28 a pound with is a great buy. I think we will have this one tonight with a grill flat iron steak and a green salad.
http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Garlic-Roasted-Asparagus-with-Parmesan-88945

Today's Link

Make Friends With Your Scale

My co-worker, and main woman at work, Jennifer is on vacation this week. Today is going to be a bad one. I hope that I can use my small steps to keep from compensating by over eating. I have a feeling that this week I am going to have to do each day Once Step at a Time just to keep sane.

Happy Trails!

Mr. Mouse

Greetings Friends~

Lee sent me this in an email. I do not know the original author but I do like the "moral of the story".
I hope you enjoy it as well.

A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

What food might this contain?" The mouse wondered - - - he was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap.

Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning:

There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The pig sympathized, but said, “I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray”. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap alone.

That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey. The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught.

The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig.

The farmer's wife did not get well, she died. So many people came for her funeral; the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ---- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life.

We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.

REMEMBER. . . . . .

EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD
IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;
OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

I hope you liked it. I know I did.
 
Happy Trails!

Weekend Update or How Strong Are You?

Greetings Friends~

I knew a man once who impressed me with his strength. Not the "I can bench press 300 pounds and rip a phone book in half" kind of strength. This was his iron will.

In his youth, he was a hell raiser. His biggest vice was alcohol. I don't know details about his behavior while drinking or the trouble that he got into because of it. What I do know is this. One day he decided to give up drinking for good, and he did.

Why is that so impressive to me? I'll tell you. It is because he stopped doing a destructive behavior "cold turkey". Just like that. One day he abused alcohol and the next he didn't. Not ever again. Not even a single drink. Not a drop. He realized that he had responsibilities, knew he had to make a change and did it just like that.

But that isn't the whole story. That isn't the whole reason why I said I was impressed with his strength.

Even more impressive is that he did it and then "walked the walk" by not having a single drink, for the remainder of his life. I don't know the exact number of years but I believe it was over fifty. That is the most impressive part to me.

I would love to be even half the man that he was. Sometimes when I think about how hard it is to follow through on a resolution, I think of his example to give me strength.

I am sure that we each know someone strong in our lives. Try to draw some inspiration and motivation from them. It can be helpful in those times that you do not feel like you have the strength.

Inspiration of the Day

You must give some time to your fellow men. Even if it's a little thing, do something for others - something for which you get no pay but the privilege of doing it. - Albert Schweitzer, 1875-1965

Recipe of the Day

Just in time for Easter. A delicious dessert that won't wreck the weigh-in for you. http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Low-Fat-Low-Calorie-Cool-n-Easy-Pie-26610

Today's Link

Another Success Story

I find my motivation from a variety of sources. Watching the Biggest Loser, reading about others that have lost weight, and from the example set by Mrs. B and Rebecca. Try to figure out what works to motivate you and then use it to the fullest. My small steps for today, and the weekend, are to remember to eat small healthy meals frequently, drink lots of water and to get in at least two workouts.

When I was in high school, I ran track. I hated the practices because we would go out and run for miles. It was easier for me if I told myself to run to that fence post a 100' away or some other landmark that was close. Before I knew it, each of those small goals added up to one long run. One Step at a Time is like that. Look at that small increment or goal that lies before you. Accomplish that and then look for another. It works for me and should work for you as well.

Happy Trails!

The Gym

Greetings Friends~

Today I am going to talk about something that I really hate. Ready? I hate the gym. I always have since I was a little fat kid who got picked last for everything and was the first one to get hit in the face with that stupid red rubber ball during dodge ball.

I think the only GOOD memory I have of gym is using the trampoline because even chubby kids can bounce up and down.

As an adult, not much has changed. Sure, we don't pick teams at the gym but I still hate doing most things there. Why? Because it's hard, and it is painful, and I'm not in the best of shape (yet).

Some days it is all I can do to just make it through my workout. As I am using the treadmill or the elliptical, I keep telling myself to finish so I can move on to more pleasurable things. Exercise, for the most part, is not fun.

I really miss playing racquetball. Now that is fun. It's like recess at school. Even the worst game of racquetball is more enjoyable than anything else within those walls.

Still, I am never going to lose the weight if I don't work out. So I will continue to do what has to be done in order to burn the calories.

Here is the upside. I ran for TWO miles tonight without stopping. I never would have dreamed that I could do that. Best of all is that my knees didn't hurt (much). I do believe that losing that most recent 20 pounds certainly did wonders for my joints.

I also started swimming laps again. I didn't overdo it because of the shoulder, but there was no pain involved at all, so that is major progress.

Sometimes we have to do things that we hate. The gym is no exception.

Inspiration of the Day

"About the only thing that comes to us without effort is old age." – Gloria Pitzer

Recipe of the Day

Spice up your life with this low fat recipe. Ole`! http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Low-Fat-Carnitas-4085

Today’s Link

Busted! 5 Major Eating Mistakes

Today is the big Spring potluck at work. Temptations are going to be many. My small step for today is to control my eating AND drink lots of water.

Take one thing in your life that is holding you back, and get rid of it. One Step at a Time, one bad habit at a time, things can get better. You are the person in charge of your life. YOU.
Happy Trails!