I'm Back-AGAIN!!!!!

Well, for the few of you who read this, I'm back again.

It's the end of another great Christmas. I gladly acknowledge all the things that I have to be thankful about. I'm a lucky guy.

I'm back with one thing on my mind: my waist. Today my wife took a picture of me and my dog. I looked absolutely dumpy!!! And I took other pictures as well-with family and friends. All I could say was 'wow'-I need to get back on a plan!

I've worked out 3 times already since Sunday, but I'm setting a new goal of 5 workouts a week. But more importantly, I'm going to take control of my eating. Even before New Years', I'm going to start later today. I'll be reviewing the eating literature around the house. While I'm home, I'll spend more time away from the kitchen. I will incorporate swimming and walking back into the routine to change it up. And it starts later today. Yup. Today.

Checking back in!

Wow-its been a long time since my last post. My goal is to try to be more consistent starting in June!

The personal training is going well. The whole training thing works because there's someone to push-and push-when you might otherwise quit. And that's her specialty.

The other part is this: after these workouts, I really don't want to overeat and blow the workout!

Yesterday I did lower body work. As part of my workout I had to jump up on a box, jump across the room, do forward and side lunges, on top of some work with the machines-leg presses, hamstring pulls, etc. Ugh! Afterwards I was like, ok, I'm getting better at this. This morning, of course, my glutes (BUTT) was sore. We fight on.

Progress continues: clothes feel much looser.

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On another note: hopefully the Dems can work it out and come back together. I confess that I spent 2 hours watching the hearings on C-SPAN today. Time to get ready for November. By the way, the more I hear Donna Brazile, the more impressed I am.

Friday's Workout

Whew! I met with the trainer again on Friday-during the early afternoon instead of the in the a.m. A day later and I'm still sore.

I ran wind sprints. Jumping jacks. Suicide drills. Jumped rope. Jumped over cones. This was before the weight machines!!!!!! Needless to say, I didn't play golf like I'd planned that evening.

Still down 10 lbs. Need more work with portion control.
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Unrelated:

In November I attended a Franklin Covey seminar that really had me organized for about a month and a half. I fell off the wagon, but I'm getting back on. I'm trying to use the GTD format-the systems seem to have the same basic principles- and I'm going to spend at least one hour on Monday working through the piles on my desk.

Update on the my technology

Now that I've learned how to link, click here for the article by Renita Weems.

My next personal training mission is tomorrow; I'll update then, assuming I'm awake......

Hey-I'm back!

OK-this blogging thing is hard work.  Hard to think of something to say all the time.  Here goes......


The biggest news is that I've hired a personal trainer.  Never thought I'd see the day.  Times change.

I've been to 3 meetings.  The most important aspect of the personal trainer is there's someone to push you when you're tired.  That's when they really earn their money.  She's also had me increase my cardio exercise to 60 minutes on days we don't meet.  Ugh.  

I haven't lost any more weight lately- I'm sure that had something to do with the family wedding I attended out of town this weekend, cake, mac -n- cheese, etc.-----but my clothes definitely are fitting differently.  Forward ever!

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I missed Bible study last week;  apparently, Prov. 31 was covered-the virtuous woman.  Well, one of the participants found this: http://tiny.cc/TheVirtuousHusband.  Read it and see about the virtuous spouse!

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Also received a nice article on sleep: http://tiny.cc/Sleep333.

Good night!

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Thoughts about the week

I was sad this week. After last Friday, I thought the Jeremiah Wright thing would move on. His interview on the Bill Moyers Journal was thoughtful and I thought it was useful to combat the statements made during sermons that were taken out of context. But at the National Press Club during the Q and A session, it seems as though his ego got the best of him. That led to Barack having to go on and spend more time on the issue. Ugh.

I've listened to many Wright sermons and they are thoughtful and thought-provoking. I know the work his church has done. It's sad that that legacy is now so tarnished.

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The workouts are still going well. I'm thinking about using a personal trainer. I met her once and it made a difference having someone to push you when you're tired. I'm down a total 10 lbs and I can feel my clothes fitting differently. So its going along well.

I'm now doing 45 minutes of cardio. I'll report back after the training sessions begin.

Portion Control, Jeremiah Wright and Bill Moyers, Golf

So I'm now watching my portion sizes. I can tell what one cup of cereal looks like. Oh joy. I can also tell when a piece of fish or chicken is the size of my palm. OK-that's easier since my palm is ever-present. My challenge is to eat more greens-I DONT LIKE VEGETABLES. Ok. I'm getting over it

Yesterday was a great exercise day. Went to the Y in the a.m., 30 minutes of cardio on the treadclimber. Then did weights: back, biceps and legs. Took a golf lesson after work, then walked 9 holes. Today was a bit sedentary. Waited around the house while a painter was here and then went to the golf course and got a rain check. I'll get back to the Y tomorrow. I also hope to play golf tomorrow.

JEREMIAH WRIGHT ON BILL MOYERS SHOW

Many of you know how the media has taken sound clips from Wright's sermons and attempted to hold Barack responsible for the clips. Outrageous. Last night, Wright appeared on the Bill Moyers show. Here's the interview-it's worth your time, esp. just to note the distortions: http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/04252008/watch.html.

AND HOW 'BOUT THEM HAWKS!!!!

Diabetic Education, Barack, and the Dems

So today I went for the Diabetic Education. A ton of info about eating, taking care of my feet, monitoring the blood sugar, and of course, exercise. It was a 6 hour class and most of it was worthwhile. Like I said earlier, I'm going for the lose weight, workout option. So I'm committed to going 5-6 days a week, 3o minutes of cardio and weight training. Today's workout was 30 minutes on the elliptical machine, 4 sets of chest presses, 3 sets of shoulder presses, 3 sets of tricep work and sit-ups.

I highly recommend Fitness for Dummies- you know, the series that has the yellow and black covers. It covers everything you need to know about exercise. http://www.dummies.com/WileyCDA/DummiesTitle/Fitness-For-Dummies-3rd-Edition.productCd-0764578510.html

For dinner I had two stuffed mushrooms for dinner-stuffed with spinach, salsa and feta cheese. I followed it up with a rice cake with peanut butter because I was still feeling snacky. 2 hours later I had a small bag of popcorn.

One of the things I have to master is planning my food and my portions-talk about a challenge!!!!

OK, changing gears. Obama lost in Pennsylvania yesterday. I still think he'll win the nomination, but my nightmare is this: somehow, Clinton pulls it out, she doesn't offer Obama the VP slot, lots of people stay home in November, and McCain wins. But I trust that its just a bad dream. The dems need to find a way to unite, but this primary season is bruising!!!

Until the next time.......

My first blog!

Here goes.

I'm starting this blog just to see what happens. I'm 47-year old man who found out about a month ago that I'm "pre" diabetic. Even though I'm overweight and have a family history of diabetes from both mom and dad, I was shocked!

The doctor told me I'd be on medication forever unless I lose 50 lbs. I'm going for it. 3-4 years ago I lost about 30 lbs. and kept them off, so its time to set another goal.

I'd been working out for the last year but I haven't paid much attention to my diet. Well, I started doing that on March 31, in addition to increasing my workout routine. I'm going to the Y 5-6 times a week and making a conscious effort to reduce my carbs, watch my fat intake and keep up the exercise, including walking 9 holes on the golf course once a week. I know, ambitious stuff.

This won't be the only item I discuss. I'm looking for Barack to win. I believe that there are lots of people on the left who are Christians and who believe their faith can make them be better people in the world. And I believe that the African American community can and will do better: better in treating each other with respect and better in reinforcing the value of an education. But I'm not going to simply blame the victim. Racism is still an institutional part of the American fabric but that's not enough to stop me.

I'm also a huge Mac computer guy. Dump those pee cees!!!!

OK. Enough of my first rant. I'll stop by saying that I've lost 9 lbs. since March 31, 2008.