Weird wild stuff

I was thinking again today. I tend to do that after a few cups of coffee.

Maggie needs a job. That way she could hire somebody to walk her constantly as she demands these days. Not really too much trouble, she just tends to want to walk during an English Premier League match on Fox Soccer Channel. Inevitably, one of the teams scores on some trick shot goal, and I miss it. After watching build up after build up for an hour. I think its okay to miss out, surely nothing will happen. It does. "Bad dog Maggie!"

Demanding? No. Unless you consider that every time a shower is taken or clothes are changed, Maggie thinks its her right to go outside or ride along for a trip. I can't stand the pouting and moping, so I take her along most times. The resale value on my car is the only thing that suffers, and I can handle that.

Great ideas turn bad sometimes. I thought having a garden was going to be alot of fun and cost effective, not to mention having fresh vegetables. Well, now I need to basically turn my entire balcony into a plantation to corral all this stuff busting up through the soil. That doesn't bother me so much, I can deal. But what of the constant watering, warding off pestilence, and cost of all the stuff needed for apartment farming? Knowing me, I think I might ask for an addendum to my renters insurance, just in case of farmer failure. I bet it doesn't work that way. We press on.

I must be getting old. I am actually considering a trip to the farm and garden show at the Lubbock Civic Center because I think it might be fun. Better yet, I might go to Barnes and Noble and get a fancy coffee and pick up a novel. Probably wont do either but instead argue about state politics on the "interweb." Oh wait, I do that almost every day. Black Snake Moan looks interesting. I think watching that movie might set me back a few decades, so I will pass. Besides, I have seen this movie already. Samuel L. Jackson says "mother f*&^er" 47 times and somebody gets shot. Nobody is cool like Jackson, I don't need to spend $10.50 and 2.5 hours to validate that fact. Workout and watch EPL all day it is.

College Basketball season is finally getting great. It is always good, but when March rolls around, I get to take advantage of my friends that think last years Cinderellas are going to do it again. So wrong. This years Cinderella will be Texas Tech, of course! My Final 4 will most likely be: Valparaiso, New Mexico State, Texas A&M, and Texas Tech. Tech wins National Championship over A&M in quintuple overtime. Either that or a Florida and Duke final. No, I'm not growing anything illegal, but there is hemp in my shampoo.

It's all about how I think about things.

I weigh 272 pounds, that is slightly lighter than where I was. To make it more interesting, I have a 7 gallon water container I use to transport reverse osmosis water up three flights of stairs once a week. I have almost lost an entire containers worth of weight since I moved in on the first of December. Imagine, each and every step of your existence carrying 7 gallons of water. I imagine losing another containers worth by July 4th, 2007. That is alot of stress and strife off your body. The key thing is, turning that image into a reality. I'm half way there and all the way healthier than the person that carried all that weight. Once a week when I get a refill for $1.75, I also get a refill of motivation for free.

Update on the health

It has been 70 days. 60 since I got off of my blood pressure medication.

I have lost over 35lbs. I am pretty sure I was over 315 in late November. I weighed right at 281lbs as of Monday. Believe me when I state, I look and feel 20 times better. I have so much further to go, but I have the right habits. I finally believe that I can do it. My goal is to be at 220 lbs by July 4th, 2007. I would like to get to 205 by the end of this year ultimately, but I do not know if that is possible with my body type. I am 6'4, by the way.


My blood pressure has stabilized at a much lower level than when I started. I still think it is high, but I estimate the lower I go on the scale, with the methods I am using, everything will work out right.

I have been developing a mean left hook and overhand right in my boxing class. But I can only go once a week. I'm up to 12 miles a week on the elliptical trainer. I break it up into five 40 minute session over 7 days. When I started I could only do 20 minutes at level 1, the lowest setting. Now I am on level 4 and I will be moving up to 5 on Saturday.

I lift weights 6 days a week and now I got two tickets to the gun show, iykwimaityd. As time has gone on, I have steadily increased my weight workouts as my strength and stamina have increased. Anyway, I will spare you all the details. It is working. Email me if you want me to share.

The biggest thing is nutrition. I posted my diet on here before, and with the exception of adding yogurt, I am on the same regimen. Oh, I have cut out the wine for the most part. I've been more social lately, and just have about 3 or 4 beers per outing, about 1 or 2 nights a week. Well, that is unless its bowling night. Got to get some moderation there, or stay away from Ron.

My problem is I do not feel like eating in the morning, so I have to make myself do it. That is still happening. I rarely get the late night cravings anymore, but when I do its because I skipped breakfast. Weird, but that is how it works for me.

The one thing that I can say is a pleasure every evening, is organic green tea. I love this stuff, and I am drinking it right now as I type. Overall, it costs more to buy better food, but you eat less of it because it has better nutrition and gives your body what it needs. Also, I do not have alot of food in my pantry or refrigerator. I go to the store more often; buy fresh and only get what I need. I also planted a few things so i can have some fresh things like basil, oregano, tomatoes, beans, etc. etc. It is an experiment and I will let you know how that works.

One little trick I learned over a 10 day period was not to eat my favorite, chips and salsa. I dropped 4 pounds and got off of a plateau.

In closing this update, I would just like to say this about myself. I have noticed the slimmer I get the better overall mood I have. I must have been an ass for the last 2 years, because I feel like I can throw a football over a mountain today.

Momma fish will be in the Hubaplex

That means only one thing. The household will get cleaned thoroughly for 7 hours to save myself from having 2 minutes of harsh rebuke as to my general cleanliness. I really do clean often. I bought a new vacuum cleaner last month and I am happy to report, I have used it twice.

I hate to admit this, but since I moved in December, I have cleaned my bathroom just once. Pathetic. I was in there this morning getting all depressed about how much of a procrastinator I am. Then I realized that will dissipate as soon as it is cleaned. I still haven't done it though. After all, she doesn't get here until tomorrow evening.

Living with Ed

Living with Ed is on HGTV on Sundays at 10pm. I caught my first episode last night. It is a real-life documentary show about actor Ed Begley Jr., his family life in California, and green lifestyle. I rarely stop to see what is on HGTV, but I noticed that Ed was on and knowing him to be a green activist that walks the talk, I decided to check it out.

It was good stuff. This episode happened to be about Ed's birthday. The most important thing that he said during the show was his choices of daily transportation. He has four in order of importance. He either walks, rides his bicycle, drives his electric car, or finally drives his hybrid. To quote him from his website, "Picking up a few small items is not the sort of chore you need a 2,500 pound machine for." Truly a master of the obvious. He walked to the market with a backpack to get some fresh vegetables for his soup. After the meal, his wife Rachelle Carson, presented him with a new electric bicycle. It was a nice gift and he seemed to be pleased. The show is oddly humorous and also entertaining, and while seemingly geared to the Boomer generation, it really has something for everyone.

Interesting is Ed's home. In this episode it showed, without much explanation, a great deal of features. Pictures of solar panels, a solar oven (which Ed used to make a soup for his family), herbal garden, and Ed creating electricity by riding his bike on the porch were curious. Hopefully the show will go into greater detail about all of Ed's "green" friendly stuff.

So far the best details can be found on Ed Begley Jr's website. I have been linking, browsing, and reading up on this stuff for hours. If you are truly ready to get "green", I suggest you take a look. The best links are the FAQ's and Speech at UCLA. If you at least want to save some money at the grocery store, on electricity bills, or live healthier, it is worth the time spent.

For you prideful Texans out there, do not dismiss this as "California hippie celebrity tree-hugging nonsense." I think Ed is on to something. He isn't just providing lip service as many in Hollywood do, this man is trying to lead by example. Something I admire very much. While everyone is sitting around and debating the aspects of energy, hybrid cars, and potential crisis; Ed Begley Jr. is out there solving the problems for his own family. Something the whole could learn from.

SIDE NOTES AND A.D.D. THOUGHTS:

Makes me want a wind and solar farm right near Texas Tech, then all would be good in my world. For the life of me, I cannot understand why West Texas doesn't power the rest of the state with wind, something we seem to have in never ending abundance. Did I mention we get on average over 300 days of sun per year in West Texas? I just did.

This week the State of Texas legislature is deciding the fate of 11 COAL plants for TXU. I bet you it passes. I wonder if their is any money changing hands under the table?

EDIT: I just received an email from the producers of Living with Ed and wanted to pass along the shows official website. It is www.livingwithed.net

Healthy Lifestyle update

I have gotten a few emails about my status and the expected "what are you doing?" questions.

By status or stats, I have lost 26lbs in 58 days. Probably more because I'm fairly sure I was over 315lbs. I feel better and realize that as good as that is stats wise, I still have a long way to go to be optimum. As of Monday, I weighed 290.5lbs.

My goal is to wear a red Speedo to the Tech-SMU game in September and look dead sexy. Hey, if you got it, flaunt it!

What am I doing?

I exercise on a Cybex elliptical trainer. For those that do not know, it is a machine at my gym that makes me feel as though I'm running up stairs, but it isn't a stair climber. I am able to stay at a high exertion rate for 40 minutes now. It burns over 600 calories in that time. I do this 5 times a week.

I also lift weights 6 days a week. 2 days upper body, 2 days "core" or mid section, 2 days lower body. 3 days a week I punch a heavy bag and do speed punching drills for about 15 minutes. The boxing really takes it out of me. I rest on the day I bowl in my league.

I am probably burning close or over 1000 calories a day by exercise.

What do I eat and drink?

Well let's just start by listing what I have completely cut out:

Soft Drinks
Chinese buffets
Fast food with exception of tacos once a week

Here is what I eat and drink every day:

1 Liter of Organic Green Tea
3 cups of coffee
over 100oz. of reverse osmosis bottled water
1 glass of Cabernet
6oz of Organic Orange Juice
1.5 teaspoons of powdered wheat grass
2 tablets of purified omega-3

Breakfast

5 days is Kashi 7 grain cereal with %2 Organic milk.
2 days 3 organic eggs

Lunch

Organic Chicken breast tenderloin meat 4oz serving
Half an avocado
tomato

Dinner

Salmon steak-6 oz
Asparagus or Broccoli or Spinach
Hummus or Red-Green Bell Pepper


Once a week I eat a meal of whatever I want. This week I had Shepard's Pie at an Irish pub. I also eat organic chips and salsa on Sundays. I only drink beer on Friday's at the bowling center, although I did have 2 Guinness with the Pie.

Like I stated, I still have a long way to go to get optimum, but still even further in making this lifestyle work for more than just a short period of time. The hardest part for me is getting up in the morning and eating something first thing. Sometimes I just do not want to, or forget to, and it ends up making me hungry and sluggish for the rest of the afternoon and evening. If I do eat early, I'm great.

I also have completely gone organic in everything as far as hygiene and cleanliness. Soap, Shampoo, shaving cream, toothpaste, deoderant etc. I have yet to make the switch to organic in laundry and dish soap, but I'm good where I am at.

Diets don't work for me.

I have been on my new plan or lifestyle change for the better part of 30 days now. I am feeling better.

I hate the word diet for alot of reasons. If you have ever been on a diet, then chances are you have probably failed at it, as I have so many times. You might hate the word too.

I already know what you want to know. You want to know what it is, how to do it, and will it work. That is the easiest part. The difficult question to answer and discover is, will you keep it off?

Most people avoid things they dont like about themselves and instead focus on what makes them forget and/or content. At least that is my take. We have all heard the phrase, "diets don't work." For the most part they do not and that statement is painfully true to the masses of people.

Some people have to get, or feel like they need staples in their stomach. Others get plastic surgery. Some people take prescription medication (as I have recently). Others do South Beach, Atkins, Dexetrim, Slim Fast, Nutrisystem, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, Deal A Meal, the Zone, and many others.
My personal favorite to pick on is the Subway Diet. But a hasten to throw stones when it that and many others have worked for so many.

BUT what does work really mean?

Simply losing weight and gaining it all back couldn't be a favorable outcome. I have read that many doctors and experts know that most people gain it all back plus some. If you have an eating disorder, it is almost a certainty it will happen. They find themselves with poorer health and presumably a worse mental condition than before they started. A real tragedy.

In my case, I gained alot of weight in college 18 years ago. Since then I have gone on several diets and exercise regimens. I have lost weight. I have eaten carbs and no carbs, I have run 10k races, swam thousands of laps in a pool and spent many hours in a weight room. I have been in many aerobics classes. Logged many a mile on the various cardio machines. I have eaten nothing but vegetables and fruit. I have tried alot of fad diets. I still have the weight, and also alot of different sizes of clothing. The only consistent thing I got was bigger.

My weight has steadily climbed from 195lbs in 1989 to a peak at 315lbs last year. There are many reasons why I am at what I am at. I didn't consistently exercise. I drank too much alcohol. Worked too much. I ate fast food, Chinese buffets, grande Mexican platters, and ate everything I cooked in the house. Depression. Did I mention I drank alot? I also smoke. It is a sorry way to live and I will be lucky to make it to 50 years old. People that are over 300lbs that drink, smoke, eat, and have high blood pressure don't make it very long. But please, don't leave any comments about how I can change, or this or that will work. I have been there and done that.

Let me explain to you what I think will work.

First and foremost, the only thing that matters is sacrifice, moderation, and consistency. Second, quit eating and drinking poison. Third, do not go on a diet. Finally, get a lifestyle.

Sacrifice means that I am willing to be poor, by my standards, the rest of my life if that means I can be healthy again. I am not going to slave away at some job for 60 hours a week anymore. I am not going to get stressed out because some walking idiot needs to climb on my back to get to the top. Stressing me out and gaining me nothing but what I mentioned above. Being too tired and stressed at the beginning and end of long days isn't worth it. Besides, nobody ever says, "I should have worked more" on their deathbed. I wonder how many wished they would have lived healthier?

I am also going to sacrifice fast food, sodas, and multiple trips to the buffet. I know that sounds like a diet, but to me it isn't. A diet implies you give up something for a limited time to achieve a goal. A lifestyle change is presumably for life. I hope you can see the difference, and also hope I have the strength to see it through. I have been exploring the realm of eating organic foods. I am still learning but so far my practice has led me to feel better. The 'treehuggers' might be right again.

Moderation. I first heard and learned that word from my father. He is an extremely healthy man and I have never known him to not be. He works hard, he plays hard, and he ALWAYS never fails to take care of himself. My step-father is the same way as well. Both of them probably marvel at my choices and my size. It goes both ways. What moderation truly is comes hand in hand with consistency. Did you notice I said 'never fails' earlier? That doesn't mean adopting a dogma of this and not that, although that probably happens. What it truly means is that they have mastered their bodies. They never go overboard and never let the emotions or cravings of a moment turn into a routine. They get back on track. They live it. It is okay for them to have a fattening meal that tastes good. They probably don't even think about it like that. They have a...

HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

In my humble opinion, there are no quick fixes or magic pills people. Research continues in genetics, surgeries, metabolism and if your not careful, you could be caught in that trap. The pharmaceutical companies can surely sell you something. Ever heard or read the side-effects on a drug advertisement. No thank you. I will keep my money and take my chances on my own volition. I'm not going to cheat myself from this life experience even if you can safely 'fix' me. I want to gain moderation, sacrifice, consistency, and a healthy lifestyle. I doubt they make a pill to gain that anyway.

Losing weight is a trade off. What you gain is an achievement. If you do it right, the real success lies in the gift you can give yourself everyday.

My favorite line from any movie is in the Shawshank Redemption by the character Andy Dufresne

Get busy living, or get busy dying.

I weigh 298lbs today and I got alot more living to do.