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 10 -- Hit the Wall.... Hard

Start Weight: 226.0
Week10 Weight: 211.5
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): (1.0)
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 14.5
% Weekly Loss/(Gain): (.44)
% PTD Loss: 6.42
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9

You can tell Wendy was overjoyed to have her picture taken with me.... that's what dads do. Well, it has happened, and I don't know what to say about it, but let me try. I went to too many places where there was a lot of food, most of it was free, and I ate a lot of it. There. The end.

I'm nearing the middle of the program and I see Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's right in front of me. I had a great push at the beginning and have had a lull here in the middle, but I am confident of having it come off. No foul moods during the week to blame, mostly happy occasions (marred by an incident though described below... honestly I don't go looking for shocking things during the week, they just happen) to reflect on, and a sense of renewal for the weeks ahead. I was distracted a bit by the whole wedding ring thing on EBay with about 3500 hits now as I type, and a lot of difficult questions to answer. But, that didn't drive me to all the stuff I put down this week... I have no response other than I'll go at it again tomorrow. I didn't weigh at all during the week, which was a mistake, I might have headed off the weekend splurge. But, I did associate with good people over the weekend, and also at the AM/PM, Sara's birthday is coming up, and the JaBen psychosis rages unabated.

Routine: The week didn't start out too bad, but went downhill fast. Gail and I went out for Chinese food on Friday night... and I did have one too many egg rolls. Then on Saturday we watched General Conference and Michael, my dad, and myself went off to the Priesthood session...


I still look somewhat thick there in the middle... 21 lbs to 190 and that will be gone. So, after Priesthood meeting comes the bar-b-que. I know I saw many of you there, and yes, I was unrestrained. It was all good. Then for the Sunday sessions, we were invited over to the McKees to watch the proceedings on TV and have food before, during, and after the talks. Just a few shots:

Sara had fun with Riley the dog....


After all that food and fun, we had some friends over last night for pizza and calzones. The good news is that the gym now is, I believe, firmly a habit. Mostly feels like I want to do it, once I'm up and out of bed that is.... so..... a lot of fluff here.... it was what it was, I took the week off.

ON THE BIKE: I don't have one yet.... some new developments though. My riding JaBen buddies recruited a third for their rides... I hear what fun they're having. Sources tell me they went for a midnight ride on the bike trail, sometimes with lights, sometimes without. My rational self says that is plain crazy... my primal, call of the wild self says that would be a lot of fun. Truth be told, I wish I was with them. But then, as soon as these warm, fuzzy feelings come, they are suppressed rather quickly with reality. Even though the words on their website suggest a coming together, the pictures below show a dangerous, Fatal Attraction-type deviancy. They (It) came after my home, I suppose in hopes of intimidating me, plastering its images all over....



The pictures say it all..... truly pitiable. The attraction is unhealthy, not normal... now I did get a picture of It after It had finished Its nefarious deed...It was mumbling to Itself, congratulating Itself on what It had done. The picture below not only confirms my fatal attraction suspicion, but also the small-poultry exchange-cockfighting angle as well. I don't know what all to think anymore. If you have a weak heart, go straight to the Odds n' Ends section...



I didn't mean to ruin anyone's evening..... but there it is....

ODDS N' ENDS: I have nothing more.... I cannot think straight. I need a couple of days off to recuperate..... so, because there is no planned eating bonanzas for this week, I guarantee a loss to 209 for next week. I've made that prediction only once before and I hit it, no "shooting for", "need to get to", or "hoping for".... time to be back on track.

FAQs:
Q. Are you still on the AM/PM diet? If so, why?????

A. Yes, I do still go in, maybe 2X/3X a week.... tuna delight, or their monthly special. As opposed to some of my detractors, I get a smile and an emotional boost from my visits... here are some of my friends at the local AM/PM... real good folk....


'Til next week.... send your karma our way.

Brian

Week 9 -- Treading Water

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 9 Weight: 210.5
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): (0.2)
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 15.5
% Weekly Loss/(Gain): (.01)
% PTD Loss: 6.86
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9


So... yes.. I put on .2 lbs this week. It felt like I took a week off because I didn't weigh at all during the week, and I had quite a lot to eat. The workouts at the gym are keeping me even. I did do a little bit of weights this week too, guess I can't blame the small gain this week on "bulking up", I can use that excuse when it's somewhat more evident... and that could be a while. Here we are at nine weeks in, with a 15.5 lb loss, a smidgin' ahead of the 1.6 lb/week pace I need to keep up to 190 by 1/2/2008. What you all will be excited about is, my mood has brightened because Sara is beginning to settle into a nighttime routine. It all started last Thursday night, must've been from the karma you all floated our way. It came in the nick of time because I thought I was going nuts. Last Thursday on the way to work down Greenback Lane, I come upon a small SUV next to me. We were going neck and neck at about 50 MPH... I look over and see that no one is driving the car. I keep looking, thinking the driver would pop up at any time. I keep looking and swerving, getting more and more anxious... still no one or no thing at the wheel, this must have gone on for at least two miles. Finally, I scramble for my cell phone and in between the two "1s" when dialing 9-1-1, I see that this car is being towed by a Winnebago... funny what about eight weeks of 2-hrs-on-2-hrs-off sleep can do to you.

But we've had about a week's worth of good sleep, the world looks much better.. even though Gail said my last week's post was very good... like the Mozart effect, do good stuff when spacing out. Anyway, a pretty good week, but it feels like I have to crawl all the way on the be-careful-what-I-eat wagon again. That I will do. 208 by next week... mark it down. Not much to comment on, the kids and I did some cool stuff while Mom was out.... I had some cops on my tail, conference this weekend, and we've got a new AM/PM special of the month.

ROUTINE: 45-60 minutes at the gym 5 days during the week. Still keeping with the treadmill and the elliptical, plus adding in some weights. I've been eating though like no other, the sweet tooth is in full force, something to do with the change in the weather maybe? Then, I get that encouraging link from my brother about the BMI calculator... shows my BMI is 29.3 and that I'm in the 67th percentile, meaning my BMI is worse than 2/3 of folks in my category... nice factoid to fall asleep with... but it is what it is... at 190 and 5'11" puts me at the 46th percentile. I did the tuna delight 2 times... and oh wait, I almost did McDonald's once, but the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) saved me. I've got to tell it, might be a little long, but....

I read the paper at lunchtime for 30-45 minutes, then go off to do my lunch thing. I had a craving for McDonald's french fries... yes I've seen Super Size Me... I know they can stay in my gut for three years without decomposing, but I didn't care at the time, and was going to do it. In the WSJ, I see an article on how more politicians are tapping the web for smaller donations from millions of people to raise a whole lot of money... I now quote from the article:

"But non-traditional campaigning is providing a boost. On an August afternoon, one of Mr. Biss's friends, writer John Green, stood at the kitchen counter of his Indianapolis home and grimaced at the blender. Inside, a small portion of McDonald's french fries, a plain hamburger, and a cup of orange soda whizzed into a goopy orange slop. "It's like all the best parts of the food and all the best parts of the liquid," he half-joked to his wife, who stood nearby, her camcorder slightly shaking as she giggled. He sniffed inside. "It just doesn't smell like something you should be eating". But he ate the chunky gunk anyway, spoon by spoon, washing it down with the rest of the orange drink. "It was the least happy Happy Meal in history", he later said. He had vowed to eat a liquified Happy Meal -- and wax off the hair on one leg--if at least 200 people donated on-line to his politician friend Mr. Biss. They did donate, more than $3,200..."

So at the risk of alienating my millions of readers, and of being branded a shock-jock.. while Gail was out, the kids and I re-created the scene. My cravings are now gone forever... maybe I can sell the therapy.



No more Mickey D's for me.... forever.....

ON THE BIKE: The weather has been perfect, just haven't acted. JaBen is even making some conciliatory moves... the planets could be coming together... check their site for their latest.... but I have to check out some allegations I heard of them going Michael Vick and getting caught up in a cockfighting scheme. That's what the small poultry exchange was about last week, pictures are close to surfacing.

ODDS N' ENDS: I was pulling into my small street where my office is and I notice 11 motorcycle cops behind me in the mirror... they follow me around a number of curves.... they had cleared out an entire parking lot next to us for some kind of motorcycle cop convention... type of extreme cop games.. I watched for a while... was pretty cool.


Conference this weekend, first for me without Russell and Steven at priesthood. Michael, Gramps, and I will be there though.... and on a sad note, there will be no baseball playoff game I'm interested in enough to check on at priesthood session halftime... Giants had a horrible horrible year... the new AM/PM special came out today.... two hot dogs for $1.29 plus a 44 oz drink for $.99 more... right now I feel like blenderizing those, but one day this week I'm going to go in and schmooze with my AM/PM buds and walk out with the special.... about all for this week.... a few random pics.... 208 next Wednesday....



FAQs:
Q. Tell me this isn't true!!! You're selling Gail's wedding ring on E-Bay? If true, what are you thinking? What's going on?

A. First of all, I'm glad you're concerned... and yes, it's true... just go check for yourself... my EBay name is 1officerocker, go to the Advanced Search and search on Items by Seller..it'll be up there tomorrow night sometime. I'll post the link next week... just don't throw the tomatoes until you read the story.

'Til next week

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

Week 7 -- Back on Track

Start Weight: 226.0
Week 7 Weight: 211.7
Weekly Loss/Gain (+): 2.2
Program-to-Date (PTD) Loss: 14.3
% Weekly Loss/(Gain): 1.0
% PTD Loss: 6.33
Program Goal Weight Loss: 36.0
Program Goal % Loss: 15.9

***WARNING*** DUE TO THE GRAPHIC NATURE OF THE LAST PICTURE IN THIS BLOG, IT IS ADVISED TO KEEP ALL CHILDREN AT A SAFE DISTANCE. ANY PSYCHOLOGICAL DAMAGE RESULTING IN THE VIEWING, IS THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE VIEWER.

Having said that however, the picture must be shown. All in all, a good week. Michigan fulfilled its prediction of whuppin' Notre Dame, and I fulfilled mine of at least a 2 lb loss. 2.2 came off, it wasn't easy as my appetite is now back in full force. Only one In-N-Out run, one Jamba Juice, and then the whole Friday night eating at the church bar-b-que. What saved me was the time put in at the gym, six day's worth at 45 min a pop. I haven't started with the weights yet, afraid I might bulk up too much... might become unrecognizable to friends and family. Not willing to take that risk yet. This week though, at some point, I commit to starting with some kind of weights. So, the weather is a little colder, mornings are a little darker, and it takes a little more umph to get started at 0545. This week was mostly uneventful... had a good time at the bar-b-que, Gail's sister is having a baby any time now, the "rest of the story" on the banned BYU book, and my JaBen friends have had several screws knocked loose.

RESULTS: I was hungry all week long, but I only did the two-cheeseburger deal once. I had the tuna delight about three times, and had Subway sandwiches a few times. I did break down with a few diet sodas... mostly water with some Gatorade thrown in. The crispy Maui-onion potato chips were good too.... and I still have a stash of chocolates in my drawer at work, not going completely without yet. Gail has been making some really good food here, and that sure helps. I was thumbing through some diet books at the store... didn't feel compelled to buy any. The self-loathing books were the best... from one dust cover, "If you put crap in your body, then you are crap..." not my idea of motivation. I do get some mentions of looking thinner... a co-worker and I happened to be finishing up business in the men's room, he exercises regularly, been trying to drop a few pounds himself... he asks me how I'm doing... says I look thinner in the face... I mention I've dropped about 15 lbs, he says yeah, it must be all from my face... I hand him one of of my blog cards over the top (not the bottom) of the stall divider and we go our separate ways.... is my face that much thinner? Here's week 1 vs week 7.... Need to have it come off my waist.... the gym saved me this week.
















ON THE BIKE: Now that the weather is colder, I'm tempted to once again save up a little more for the bike I really want. I've had a few more offers for a loaner bike. I do miss the riding and the social connections... I had to watch from a distance, but well within earshot, as JaBen had a group of men enthralled with his bike stories. He (it) came off as an expert, easily fielding questions from the crowd. I was impressed, thinking all the while, that could be me... I taught him (it) all I know... instead I'm on the outside looking in. But as the days get shorter, I'm seeing riding as a weekend thing if I don't get the commuter bike I want.... still I long for the call of the trail...

ODDS N' ENDS: Folsom HS smashed #8 (?) ranked Oak Ridge, I think it was 38-14, I'll have to call Arthur and see how that went. Folsom must've moved up the rankings... offense looks great. Shelly's baby shower over here on Saturday, over 40 Morford and Johnson women and friends... Michael and I made ourselves scarce.

















The annual church bar-b-que was great as always... lots and lots of good food and company...




















Last of the BYU book story... the Corn Mothers in New Mexico, Sexuality and Power 1500-1846 book was banned by the History Dept... Russell tells me this was because a freshman kid (referred to as "Bubble Boy" (BB), because he grew up in the "bubble" of central Utah) before the first day of class went directly to the History Chair and demanded the book be recalled. BB then dropped the class before the first session. BB was offended because the Pueblo Indians named some of the natural landscape after female body parts... the prof apologized to the class, but found there were several copies of the book in the school library. Prof said the students now had to choose a book to do an essay on... and off-handedly mentioned that since the class already bought the Corn Mothers book... might be good to "choose" that book as a tribute to BB... all had a good laugh... Russell thinks it's a gimme "A"....

Well..... JaBen is officially certified.... as evidenced by the latest rants and raves on their website, hope is just about lost. I found this article just this week in the WSJ about their kookiness.... imaginary friends, imaginary therapists, etc... and.... I finally got a picture of JaBen to develop... I've tried before, but the picture always fades to nothing, no substance at all... but I accidentally had the camera on a super-high molecular frequency, and I happened upon this... this is JaBen in all its glory and wonder... it stretches the bounds of credulity.... but here it is..

Draw your own conclusions... I.. I... I'm speechless...

On that note, I've got to go.... looking for around the 210 mark next week... I'm answering no FAQs this week... I really have to get off this page now....that picture....

'Til next week.... Brian