Day 9: Treadmills, Congress and Ebola.

Posted: January 10, 2013 in Exercise, Foot issues, movies, politics, rants, Walking, Weight loss
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Greetings!

Today’s post includes things that don’t normally go together. Now Congress and graft? Yes. Congress and bullshit? Yes. Congress and Ebola? Not so much. But first, let’s get the daily stuff out of the way.

Managed day 9 today. 53:20 on the treadmill, 2.47 miles traveled, 2.78 mph. A little slower, but another 6 minutes and just shy of ¼ mile more traveled. I’m very pleased, considering it took a lot to wake up and get moving this morning. I also did it with a doozy of a headache. Tomorrow should be a little easier… it’s with the trainers, but it’s at 7 AM. I’ll get some weight training in as well.

I’m really noticing an improvement in general cardiovascular health. My stair climbing has gotten easier, and while my ankles continue to hurt, my feet seem to be holding up under the onslaught. Touch wood. I’m crediting the moisture-wicking socks. Maybe I need to consider some kind of moisture-wicking shirt, because I always come off the treadmill looking like I came in out of a tropical deluge. Things to ponder.

The Academy Award nominees have been released as well. Leading the way is Lincoln (big surprise). As much as I want to see it, I’m really intrigued by Zero Dark Thirty. This might be the first time in years that I actually want to see some nominees. Interesting stuff.

Now, on to some political news.

As many readers know, I like to spend time excoriating our political leadership here in the USA. Therefore, I was greatly amused when Public Policy Polling did a survey of just how unpopular Congress is, it was found to be less popular than cockroaches, traffic jams, lice and Nickelback, and slightly more popular than two of the biggest scourges facing humanity today: Ebola and the Kardashians. Way to go, Congress… people like you more than Ebola, a hemorrhagic fever that kills some 70% of its victims and causes bleeding from every known orifice. Your parents must be SO proud of you.

I might add that Congress polls slightly ahead of Lindsay Lohan and telemarketers. They also pulled better numbers than gonorrhea. Talk about a gold standard for excellence. Woot!

For complete poll results, visit the Public Policy Polling website.

So, there you have it for today. More to come!

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8 going on 9

Posted: January 9, 2013 in Bariatric surgery, Disney, Goals, Physical activity, Stubby the Wonder Toe, Supportive Partner Woman, Walking, Weight loss
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Made it another day… was not an easy one, but I set a record for 2013 with over 47 minutes and 2.23 miles walked. I had to back off speed a bit, due to achy ankles, but I’m still proud of myself for getting that far. My average speed was 2.84 mph. The rest will come as the weight decreases.

I worry, though… I just feel that due to Stubby I can’t walk with the grace I used to walk. Surprised no one ever made a replacement toe bone. Maybe that could be my great contribution to science. Hmmm.

I’ve  been thinking long and hard, though, and I need to set a post-surgical goal. I realize that with my toe and other issues, I’ll never be physically able to run long distances, so a marathon is out.

I’m going to set my goal to participate in the 2014 Walt Disney World Marathon Weekend 5K.

There, I said it. I know it won’t be easy, especially for someone who would struggle to run the mile in high school (when I was in better shape), but I think it’s a reachable goal. Plus, I’ve gotten so much encouragement from the Disney fan community as I go through this process that I feel it’s a great way to pay it back and forward. To reward myself with a feeling of accomplishment and to pay back everyone who has supported me and encouraged me. I know I’ve mentioned it before, but they are my family as much as any blood relation. Logistics will be forthcoming, but I will keep you apprised and this will be the place to post the picture after I finish it.

twitterSo, yesterday was pretty cool, though. Not only did I find an error in a CNN.com story (yeah, not like they’re a reputable news source), I actually got to have a Twitter exchange with one of my favorite sportswriters. I just tweeted out that the CNN flunkie had gotten his name wrong (guess checking that fact would be a little too much effort) and sure enough, a reply. It was actually kind of cool. I’m not a huge Twitter fan, unlike SPW (lover of the hashtag!), but this might make me like it a little more.

At any rate, gotta go for day 9 in the morning. And I’m going to do it. Does that make me a probie gym rat?

Guess there are worse things.

Day 7

Posted: January 8, 2013 in Exercise, Walking, Weight loss
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Well, I’d say that Tuesday morning dawns bright and early, but that would imply that the sun has risen. Maybe not so much yet.

I’m dressed and ready to head for my appointment at the gym. I’ve even had a protein shake for breakfast, I’ve packed soup and yogurt for lunch, and Supportive Partner Woman has off tonight, so looks like buffalo sirloin for dinner. Then let the tearing down of Christmas commence.

As I was leaving for work yesterday, a lady from the neighborhood who walks her two dogs every morning stopped and asked where the singing penguins were this year. Seems that one of her dogs would always have to stop and bark at them. Found that to be kind of amusing.

So, now that I’ve made it seven straight days, I’m going to go for 10. If I make 10, then 14. Incremental steps is what it’s all about. I would love to make it every day for a whole year. Not sure that’s possible… Maybe some form of exercise every day for a whole year (and by exercise, I mean doing more than just walking around the house/office) would be more realistic. Between the possibility of foul weather, being out of town, or post-surgical limitations. After all, snow shoveling is good cardio as well.

Have a great day everyone.

Monday Monday…

Posted: January 7, 2013 in Exercise
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or as I call it, Day 6.

Yup. Made it 6 days in a row. Since I have an appointment tomorrow morning, let’s just say it’s seven days since I’m not going to miss it.

I honestly thought I’d give up by now. Seems to be a track record. Be all gung ho for a few days, then, well, not so much. I’m like the kid on Christmas who winds up playing with the empty box. It’s probably a symptom of my “Ooooh! Shiny!” syndrome, but it can really be annoying. Well, maybe not annoying, but disheartening. To know you want to accomplish something, then just losing interest in it for no reason.

Guess that’s why I’m glad that I’ve stuck with my plan for the operation as long as I have. There have certainly been hiccups along the way, and I’m sure there will be more of them. I’ll get by. Somehow I usually do.

Feeling that blah feeling

Posted: January 6, 2013 in Exercise, friends, Physical activity, Supportive Partner Woman, The Management, Weight loss
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Had a great day yesterday. Got a decent workout in, went to State College, saw a cool flick (went with Skyfall), had a good dinner, and a visit to Wegman’s. I can never complain about that.

So I woke up this morning with a little bit of gastrointestinal urpiness but I know I still need to go to the gym. I know I’ll feel better if I do, but it’s very hard to summon up the energy to go when I just kind of want to sit around until it goes away. I normally would do that, but if I do, I probably won’t make it to the gym.

Helluva bind.

I guess I need to just do it (even though I prefer New Balance to Nike) and I know that when I get there and get started, I’ll wind up feeling that much better. Funny how that works out.

Ok… More in a bit.

So I made it to the gym. Decent session… Started a little slow, but had worked up to 3.5 mph by the end of my treadmill time. Wanted to do 45 minutes, but cut short after 35 minutes by an extremely chirpy young woman jawing on her cell phone. Talking (apparently) with her boyfriend. Talking about their time together last night. When I heard the phrase “you made me come alive” (I am not making this up) I figured it was time to bail. The worst part is that I had my ear pods in, volume cranked, and I could still hear her. How loudly must she have been talking?

I love being able to yammer about my gym. It’s a really place, but some of the people who go there are well, eccentric. I have not seen Gratuitously Naked Guy in a while, but I think he has a cohort… Mostly Naked Guy. This is another wrinkly old guy who actually works out, but then wanders around the locker room wearing nothing but a jockstrap. As far as I can tell he doesn’t have mostly naked conversations with complete strangers like GNG, but who knows what mischief lurks in the heart of MNG.

It has been a decent sugar day. Went to bed reading a 128 last night, woke up with a 113. I took my insulin shot, ate a banana and about half of a pretzel roll, then headed to the gym. Took another reading when I got home and stuck an 84. Figured I could do with some protein, so I beat some eggs and threw together a tasty ham and cheese omelet. That should keep things nice and stable until lunch.

Not sure what’s on the agenda for today. Do we take down the Christmas decorations or do we say “the heck with it” and do something else? Guess I’ll have to wait and hear from The Management (aka Supportive Partner Woman).

tumblr_memp653uuS1rhvr5io1_500So, yesterday, SPW (love of Hugh Jackman!) and her friend went to see Les Miserables. They were, predictably, gushing about it. It dawns on me that maybe it’s a gender thing. I mean no disrespect to either gender, and I have never seen the stage production, but it seems that women love the movie and men, well, not so much. This review was located online and is well worth the read.

Hope you all have a great day!

Song of the Day: Gimme Your Love – McAuley Schenker Group

Currently Reading: The Black Box – Michael Connelly

Four straight days…

Posted: January 5, 2013 in Uncategorized
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Yup. That’s how many days I’ve hit the gym. So far, so good for the Un-Resolution.

Today was basically a cardio day. I went and hit the treadmill for 35 minutes, doing my last five minutes at 3.5 mph. I know, it doesn’t sound like much, but for me, it’s a big step. My ankles are aching, but this too shall pass. I can’t stop gushing about the moisture wicking socks. They’ve really done a good job at keeping Stubby and Wayne blister-free. The socks I’ve been wearing are PowerSox Power Lites. Found them at a Dick’s Sporting Goods in Davenport, FL (don’t ask) after some good luck with Nike Dri-Fits that were too tight. Went looking for ankle socks, found these, and haven’t looked back.

So, today, Supportive Partner Woman (lover of musical theater!) and I are headed to State College, PA, where she and a friend will be going to see Les Miserables. I think I’ll be passing on that one. Maybe I’ll take in The Hobbit or Skyfall instead. We shall see.

Tomorrow, I’m going to hit the gym  and do some weights in addition to cardio, then the day is open. SPW did mention perhaps a visit to the Lego Store. Always a fun time doing that, so I have hopes.

Speaking of Lego, here’s some creative use of minifigs:

Anyway, I hope you all have a happy weekend!

The Un-Resolution

Posted: January 4, 2013 in Exercise, Physical activity
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I’m not one to usually make New Year’s resolutions.

It’s not that I’m perfect… nothing could be further from the truth. It’s that I know it’s not going to last, so why set myself up for another failure?

I’m trying something new this year… I’m trying to go to the gym every day. Today is my third straight day. It was the usual appointment stuff. Ryan and Cory worked me over like a rented mule and at the end of it, I feel that much better (except for my achy ankles) and I also feel much more awake than I normally am.

Now, I mentioned that resolutions usually fail for me. I think this is due to my extreme case of the “Ooooh! Shiny!”s. It’s more of a case of adult ADD. I just tend to get sidetracked by what’s going on around me. Whether it be a nice car or a conversation, I can get drawn into something that I didn’t want to be drawn into.

This is what I’m trying to avoid. I’m not doing the gym thing because I want to, I’m doing it because I need to. Let’s see how many days I can do.

Being scared

Posted: January 3, 2013 in Bariatric surgery
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I’ve started and stopped any number of posts over the past couple of years. I’ll get going on something and then I realize that it’s not quite what I hoped it would be.

So, into the trash bin.

As many of you know, I’m still waiting to hear as to when I might qualify for a surgery date. I keep hoping sooner rather than later, because now that I’ve made the decision, I’m ready. I also won’t deny that the prospect scares the hell out of me. Not only the surgery, but the possible results. What would I do if I don’t have the fat guy crutch to fall back on? What do I do if I actually start gaining (gasp!) self-confidence? What will I do if my clothes actually fit for a change?

Scary stuff.

A Brave New Year

Posted: January 1, 2013 in Holidays, Lego, music
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Happy New Year!

Yup… hard to believe it’s already 2013. It seems that it was only a couple years ago that we reached the millennium and I never thought THAT would happen. (For the record, I spent New Year’s Eve 1999 in the basement with a loaded rifle… I fell asleep and woke up about 12:15, saw the power was still on, so unloaded the rifle and went to bed)

It seemed a little strange, though to not have Dick Clark there. I know that he was in bad shape with the stroke and all, but the show is almost as old as I am, and it’s what I remember. The level of “talent” on that show has certainly gone downhill over the years. I’m not going to get into specifics, but if you really need AutoTune THAT much, well, you need some voice lessons.

This brings me into my annual (starting this year) list of celebs whose fame clocks really need to tick over from 14:59:

Taylor Swift
Bieber
Carly Rae Jepsen
Pitbull
Anybody with a surname of Kardashian

I also wanted to thank everyone for the 5,600 hits last year. That’s pretty amazing for a blog that I don’t uber-promote. I appreciate everyone who takes the time to read and comment.

Here’s to wishing you all the happiest and most prosperous New Year you can have. I’m going to leave you with something done by someone I have to assume is a demented bastard with too much time on his hands.

2012 in review

Posted: December 30, 2012 in Administration
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The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 5,600 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 9 years to get that many views.

Click here to see the complete report.

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