Week 12 -- Very Little Progress.....

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 12 Weight: 210.4
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 0.4
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 15.6
% Weekly Loss/(Gain): .17
% PTD Loss: 6.90
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9


Very little to get enthusiastic about this week.... .4 lbs came off, was not a gain, but doesn't feel like any kind of victory at all. My spirits aren't suffering too much though after the "intervention" I had this morning with my biker buddy Steve at work. Well, as much as you can have an intervention one on one. Steve sees me in the gym every morning as he's finishing his bike ride in to work. He had me sit down, he tells me he sees me working hard in the gym every morning, but he sees from my posts that I'm not seeing results. So, after a few pleasantries, he guides me through the discussion... "so, if you're working out six days a week, at 45-60 min a pop, then Brian, what do you think the issues are?".... followed up with "tell me about your diet", and "are your reasons you started this whole thing still valid?", etc... It didn't bring me to tears or anything, but he had me transfixed. He even threw in a few tips, some I'll try, but can't divulge right now. So, thanks be to Steve for the shake up, it's only been a day but I'm feelin' it.... let's go day by day. Facts are there are 10 weeks left, and 20.4 lbs to go.. even my rudimentary math skills tell me how much I need to average to get there. Other than all that, a good week.... Wendy with volleyball, the Atens with Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution, and we're sending up a few extra prayers for Steven... he has typhoid in Mexico. Pictures aren't too good this week......

ROUTINE: Nothing real new here, good exercising, but horrible diet. I had to put in some extra hours at the office and I was at a number of off-site luncheons.... I didn't plan for any of it, just reacted to what was there. Good news was it cut down on the AM/PM runs.... I did meet some nice guys at ARCO from the Harley dealership next door. We were all doing the 2-hot dog special, lot of good jokes about the "cheap eats" and cast-iron stomachs. I did walk out of the AM/PM one day... fully intending to do the 2-hot dogs, but as I was getting ready to pull those dogs out of the warming area, I saw a lady open a 10 oz bag of Fritos, she went over to the chili dispenser, shot some chili in the bag, then shot some nacho cheese into the bag, closed the bag and then shook vigorously... paid for the Fritos, walked out munching on a ready-made Frito pie... I just turned around, headed out and went to Subway. Today I was back to the tuna delight. After Michael's guitar lesson with the Atens, they came for dinner, and they had a goodt time with Guitar Hero and DDR. Ryan needed to lighten up a bit, Arianna was a true rocker.... was a fun night. The video came out terrible, so I didn't put it up.



ON THE BIKE: The weather has just been great, the invitations are still coming in, and it looks like I'm going back to a Craigslist search. After the daily exercising and the hours at the office, the bike search gets on the back burner. My bike buds, while they've toned down the grief they've given me, still make sure I know what I'm missing. Could be what's ailing me after all....

ODDS N' ENDS: I'm glancing at the muted TV off and on... is that right, the Bosox are up 13-1 in the sixth in Game 1 of the WS?..... dang American Leaguers.... Wendy had a great volleyball tournament, they won the round robin pool, but got knocked out in the actual 1st round brackets... was fun...


...everyone is growing up..... in his last letter, Steven said he was feeling a little sick, both he and his companion. They took a bus ride (2 hours) to the mission home in Merida, had some tests done, and both he and his comp have typhoid... I've been looking that up, food-borne and all... even after he was immunized for it here before he left. Mission Assistants say that's no surprise as the last few sets of missionaries in that area have contracted it... they've narrowed it down to a certain lady who feeds the elders every day... Mission Prez says no more... Steven tells us not to worry, he's in great spirits, just has to take it easy for a week or so.... they're continuing to teach the on-going investigators, but the Pres has told them to tone down the active 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM schedule for a week or so... he's taking meds and feeling some better. That's it for now... got to check with Arthur on the Bulldogs, BV is doing all right, but Del Campo and Casa are coming up.

FAQs:

Q. I understand your being repulsed at the in-store Frito pie concoction, but isn't that somewhat like the condiment snatch-and-run you pull off at the same AM/PM?

A. Uh... yeah, but I don't mix it up right there in the store and start noshing on it before I get out the door. I discreetly package up the condiments and then take them to the car, where my open and drained tuna can is waiting. No one actually sees the mixing of the ingredients of the tuna medley... no one... so no comparison at all to the Frito pie.

Brian

Week 8 -- Keepin' It Steady

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 8 Weight: 210.3
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 1.4
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 15.7
% Weekly Loss/(Gain): .66
% PTD Loss: 6.95
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9

I feel some weird ramblings coming on tonight, so whatever is, is. Somewhat spaced out... I think it's due to our friend Sara who has been keeping us up nights. After she goes down for the night (fusses for about 10 minutes), at exactly 90 minutes past that, she'll wake up crying for between 17-22 minutes. We all fade off then she'll wake up at exactly 4:00 AM every morning, the same 17-22 minutes of wailing.... we all nod off, then I'm up at 5:45 to start the day. She then wakes up at 8:00 to start the day, all happyified. Gail and I cracked open our 1994 Positive Parenting book last night around 1:00 AM and read... "virtually all babies experience problems of fussiness during naptime and bedtime".. uh huh... put them down and then let them go... yep we do that... they'll outgrow it, yada, yada.... just make sure "during the waking hours, there must be frequent and pleasant interactions between the parent/caregiver and the child"... we've got that covered. In the meantime, baggy eyes.

But, 1.4 lbs came off this week, steady as she goes.... in the larger picture, I'm getting there. I'll do away with the gym pictures for a while, I'm getting tired of them. I posed in front of the weight sets today, even though I didn't pick up weights this week. Have to get some better pictures going. Actually, a lot happened this week.... two free lunches at the ISO, Shelley had her baby, Michael's doing great with his drum lessons, an "Aha" moment at AM/PM, unfortunate/possibly fortunate bike news, and my too-slow-of-weight loss placed squarely on President Bush....so let's ramble for a while and let it hang out.

RESULTS: Almost 16 lbs in 8 weeks, that's 2 lbs/week, but I'm just not feeling it. I had way too much chocolate this week and spent too much time at the gym. That balance just isn't sustainable... so something's gotta give. I cut down on the AM/PM runs however... I was in there this week sometime, saw a guy... he was dressed well, probably late 30's, he looked in shape... an image of what I think I look like. I'm at the condiment counter, piling stuff on my two cheeseburgers... he's five feet away from me with a Monster energy drink in one hand and going through the assorted donut stack with the other. He chooses a bonus pack of donettes and a Hostess cherry pie... I think what kind of junk he's gonna shovel down, kind of a weird smirk on my face. He looks up, our eyes meet for maybe 10 seconds... an eternity... He sees me looking at him.. I kind of look at his "lunch", raise an eyebrow, and shrug. No reaction from him, he just looks me over for a split second, then looks at my double-fisted cheeseburgers, and at my 32 oz Diet Pepsi..... gives me "who-you-callin'-a-junkie" look, shrugs himself, buys a few lottery tickets and then he's out the door. I stood convicted.... didn't stop me from eating the burgers though... sooooooooooo...... I gotta bring some sense to this... lifestyle change, that sort of thing, and I know that ain't easy.

Then, you've got the Department of Energy.... someone back East comes out with a memo saying federal dollars can't be used for buying paper and plastic utensils for employee lunchrooms.... not a proper use of appropriated funds, etc.... I have a fridge full of yogurts for breakfast... go to the lunchroom for a spoon..... nope all cleaned out. No spoon, no yogurt... I've done this Groundhog Day thing about 10 days in a row now...so, it's just one small step from no yogurt to the PopTarts in the vending machine. The Memo Guy works for President Bush somehow.... I oughta write a letter.... what's next, no TP? Man.... enough of all that.... again, just not feeling it this week.

ON THE BIKE: Steve at work, his bike, (the one I fell in love with for the15 min I rode it) is not quite the right size for him.... he's trying to modify it to get it right... if that doesn't happen, he said he might have to take a different approach... that bike might be on the market... that's where I step in..maybe we could both win at this..... not opportunistic or anything, but.... the weather is colder and darker, but that would make it even better to ride.... even JaBen's antics can't get me riled this week.... see if I can get out of the funk for next week....

ODDS N' ENDS: This will brighten the mood some.... BV won a thriller against Yuba City, now 2-1.... I hear Folsom lost to unranked Ponderosa.... now the Bulldogs are 2-1.... Arthur, I will call you to get the story. Shelley, Gail's sister, had her baby... Jill Renee... Gail helped with the birth... you'll have to contact her directly for the details...



A huge thanks to the Atens, Ryan and Arianna, for teaching the drums to Michael.... they have an agreement worked out with him, and everyone's happy? How 'bout the neighbors off Kenneth Avenue???


See if I can post this video... don't know how it'll sound, but it sounded real good in person...great folks those Atens.... and Michael too.



Sara is all over the place... (again quite the happy child during daylight hours).. here's another short clip of her...



.... happened to have my camera with me..... what exactly is a "Poultry and small animal exchange"? I can trade my hamster for a chicken?.... JaBen for a duck??? the things you see....

...finally.... if you're one of my kids' cousins, and you're visiting our place, and happen to get a little out of hand...here's your fate.... no threats, just facts.... but we're happy to have you anytime.....

.... we're done with the Corn Mothers updates, until at least Russell does an essay on the book... Steven had his camera stolen his second week in Mexico... asking us to put $300 in his account to get a new one...um.. isn't he in Mexico??? maybe he meant 300 pesos... can't you buy a whole recording studio for $300?? anyway, he seems to be doing well...

FAQs:
Q. What is the real cause of your foul mood?

A. Grant Napear is a spokesman for the Diamond and Gold Exchange... there are a bazillion people to choose from, but no....

Should be better next week.... 'til then

Brian