Saturday, October 31, 2015

IT IS HALLOWEEN TODAY - THIS WILL SCARE YOU

It is Halloween today.  October 31. Is it really possible that the two people leading the polls for the Republican and Democratic nominations for the Presidency are Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump? 



This decoration in a neighbors front lawn across the street from me should scare everyone.

The two 'scarecrows' are what is really scary here.  On the left, Hillary Clinton.  (and boy oh boy,  is she ever on the left!) and on the right, Donald Trump (the thing is, I think he may be on the left too!) In other words, the prospect of these two unelectable politicians competing in an election is a scary thought indeed.  If one unelectable politician should run against another unelectable politician - one of the unelectable politicians will become President of the United States.  Happy Halloween!

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I think after two plane trips and a bit too much walking in the rain both in Houston and Chicago, that your intrepid blogger might have caught a cold.  I was chilled and dead tired last evening.  I woke up yesterday feeling quite unrefreshed and after a quick breakfast, I downed another shot of Vicks NightTime medicine.  When I awoke, I was feeling much better.  Good enough to take a 13.1 mile hike in and around Lincoln Park and the Chicago Lakefront. 

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The 13.1 mile concluded by walking around the block in the neighborhood of Streeterville before I entered Whole Foods to grab some lunch.
Whole Foods: blackened whitefish, broccoli, sauté zucchini, and sausage
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After lunch at Whole Foods I still needed to walk another 1.8miles to get home.   Total dedicated walking today was nearly 15 miles.  This was only phase I of my physical activity for the day.  Last night was the final Friday of the month - that means Critical Mass Bike Riding.  That is always something to look forward to.  Last evening was my third time with this 'group.'  Here is the route we took:

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The Critical Mass bike ride ended up at something called the Monster Prom.  Set up in an alleyway was a stage and apparently live music was to come later.  I do not know whose party this was.  I do not know how this party was linked to critical mass. Basically, the Critical Mass ended up in the middle of nowhere and it was still another 5 mile ride back home from the spot where the ride terminated.

Your Food Diary For:

Friday, October 30, 2015
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup 600 108 0 16 0 0
Apples - Apples, 1 medium apple 80 22 0 0 0 16
Sargento - Sharp Cheddar Cheese Sticks 2% Milk, 3 stick (2g) 180 3 14 15 405 3
Frigo Cheeseheads - Superstring Cheese, 3 piece 210 2 15 15 510 0

1,070 135 29 46 915 19
L U N C H
Generic - Whitefish, Lightly Blackened, 8 z filet 244 0 2 53 2,312 0
Bobak's - Polish Sausage, 0.5 link 115 1 11 5 0 0
Generic - Zucchini Saute, 4 oz 60 4 4 1 135 0
Broccoli - Broccoli, 0.5 cup 30 3 0 3 25 0
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 36.0 g (approx 6 pieces) 99 25 0 2 1 18
WHOLE FOODS - SUPERFOOD CEREAL RADIANT RASPBERRY, 33.15 g (1/2 cup) 109 16 5 3 9 5
WHOLE FOODS - NATURAL WASABI GREEN PEAS, 0.28333305794727803 cup (30 grams) 102 16 3 3 204 2
Jongold - Apple, 2 large 160 44 0 0 0 32

919 109 24 69 2,686 56
D I N N E R
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup 240 36 6 10 1,600 6
Jongold - Apple, 2 large 160 44 0 0 0 32

400 80 6 10 1,600 38
S N A C K S
WHOLE FOODS - MILK CHOCOLATE CHERRIES 1490, 11.25 pcs (40g) 225 31 13 3 13 26
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 57.75 g (3/4 cup) 252 42 7 5 63 16

477 73 20 8 75 42
Totals 2,866 397 78 133 5,276 155
Your Daily Goal 4,652 581 155 233 2,300 174
Remaining 1,786 184 76 99 -2,976 18
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 2,722 extra calories from exercise today      



Your Exercise Diary for:
Friday, October 30, 2015
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace 166 2,682
Walking, 5.0 mph 23 377
MFP iOS calorie adjustment Ic_i N/A -337

   
Daily Total / Goal 190 / 30 2,722 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 599 / 210 11,170 / 4,130


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TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2866 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED (13.1 MILE WALK, 1.8 MILE WALK)  2722 CALORIES
TOTAL NET CALORIES 144 CALORIES



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220.0 lbs

I weigh 220.0 lbs.
I gained 1 lb this week
I have lost 89.0 lbs in 311 days. Today begins Day 312.
I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.
I weigh 220.0 lbs (311 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)
I have lost 28.8% of my weight since Dec 24.
I have a BMI, body mass index of 29.43 
I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 304 days ago (Class III obesity)


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fitbit day 58
32210 steps
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Friday, October 30, 2015

BENEFIT OF LATE NIGHT DRINKING

Today is a completely tongue-in-cheek look at the benefits of late night drinking.  Yesterday, I spent too much time with the dentist getting a temporary tooth which will eventually become a permanent implant.  By the time 5:00PM came around, I noticed that my fitbit had only recorded something in the neighborhood of 4000 steps.  Last week, after spending one night drinking and socializing until 2:00AM, I woke up the next day with nearly 5000 steps!  The silly lesson to be learned here is that when one is active, steps accumulate.  And the steps one takes in a bar late at night still count.  The steps one takes walking in the early hours of the day back to your hotel, or walking home still count.  There is something invigorating about waking up and realizing before you shave, that you already have 5000 steps 'in the bank.'   Likewise, it is 'alarming' to glance at one's fitbit at 5:00 PM in the afternoon and discover that one only has 4000 steps.  I suppose that the only reason that this is important to me is that I have vowed to myself to try to never let a day pass with less than 10000 steps.  I noticed too, today, that a step earned on an elliptical machine set to the highest resistance is a lot tougher to earn than a simple step walking outside, even at a 4.5mph pace.  Obviously a step earned on the elliptical machine is harder to earn by several orders of magnitude, the steps earned just shuffling back and forth from the refrigerator.  The best gauge of measuring physical activity still comes from stepping on the scale.  The scale does not lie. Although sometimes it does appear to be fibbing...


Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, October 29, 2015

BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Whole Foods 365 - Seaweed Rice Crackers, 52.5 Crackers 420 88 5 7 210 4
Clif Bar - Mint Chocolate , 68 g 250 43 5 10 170 22

670 131 10 17 380 26
L U N C H
FRESH THYME - JOYVA. SESAME CRUNCH, 30 g (3 pieces) 160 14 8 2 50 14
Generic - Fresh Homemade Fruit Salad, 2 cup 480 88 18 0 420 56
WHOLE FOODS 5938 - UNSWEETENED BANANA CHIPS, 120 g (1/4 cup) 680 64 40 8 20 4

1,320 166 66 10 490 74
D I N N E R
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup 240 36 6 10 1,600 6
Nabisco - Oyster Crackers, 66 crackers 180 30 6 3 420 0

420 66 12 13 2,020 6
S N A C K S

Totals 2,410 363 88 40 2,890 106
Your Daily Goal 3,923 490 130 197 2,300 147
Remaining 1,513 127 41 157 -590 41
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 1,993 extra calories from exercise today         

       Your Exercise Diary for:

Thursday, October 29, 2015

Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
elliptical 22 473
elliptical 22 508
elliptical 22 535
elliptical 22 545
MFP iOS calorie adjustment Ic_i N/A -68

   
Daily Total / Goal 89 / 30 1,993 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 409 / 210 8,449 / 4,130             

For some reason, I could not set the timer on the elliptical machine to 60 or 90 minutes.  The workout cut out after 20 minutes, with a 2 minutes cool down.  I simply had four (4) sessions of 22 minutes.  What I found interesting is that although, I felt as if I was getting tired as the nearly 90 minutes session continued.  I increasingly had more endurance with each passing session as the calories burned continued to climb, just a bit from one workout to the next. 

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2410 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 1993 CALORIES
TOTAL NET CALORIES 417 CALORIES

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fitbit day 57
13585 steps
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The Tongue-in-cheek figure of speech is used to imply that a statement or other production is humorously or otherwise not seriously intended, and it should not be taken at face value. The facial expression typically indicates that one is joking or making a mental effort.

Thursday, October 29, 2015

BIRTHDAY FARBRENGEN

A Farbrengen (/fɑrbrɛnɡɛn/, from the Yiddish פארברענגען, meaning "joyous gathering"; German verbringen "to spend [time/solidarity/festivity together]") is a Hasidic gathering. This term is only used by Chabad-Lubavitch Hasidim, as other Hasidim have a Tish or a botteh. It may consist of explanations of general Torah subjects, with an emphasis on Hasidic philosophy, relating of Hasidic stories, and lively Hasidic melodies, with refreshments being served. It is regarded as a time of great holiness. Farbrengens are public events open to non-Hasidim as well.



At my local Chabad House there are four people celebrating their birthdays this week.  One of those people is me.  Last night at the Chabad House there was a Birthday Farbrengen for the community to celebrate.  There are not too many gatherings of people more enjoyable than a Chasidic Farbrengen.  My birthday on the Jewish calendar will take place starting at sundown on October 31, Cheshvan 18.  My secular birthday, the one listed on my drivers license, will not be for about two more weeks, November 12.

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It is said that one cannot forget how to ride a bicycle.  Prior to the Half Dome hike, I was using the elliptical machine almost exclusively for months and months. Since returning from the summit of Half Dome in Yosemite National Park at the beginning of this month - I have been walking as my preferred method of exercise.  Today, I did not have an opportunity to walk during the day, so I returned to the elliptical machine for the first time in over a month.  I wasn't sure if I would remember how to pace myself properly. It was silly to worry about that.  As soon as I hopped on board, I set the resistance to the highest level as always and squeezed in a great workout in just 62 minutes.  I guess the elliptical machine is like a bicycle - you don't forget how to use it.

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup 600 108 0 16 0 0
Roundy's - Center Cut Bacon, 2.01 Slices 47 0 3 5 147 0
Forelli - Rice Cake, Multigrain, Thin, 18 slice 360 72 0 0 360 0

1,007 180 3 21 507 0
L U N C H
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 71.5 g (3/4 cup) 312 52 9 6 78 19
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 40 g (approx 6 pieces) 110 28 0 2 1 20
WHOLE FOODS 9392 - YOGURT RAISINS, 60 g (approx 34 pieces) 255 42 11 2 23 38
WHOLE FOODS 9246 - 100% RAW CACAO GOJI, 50.4 g (approx 2 chunks) 180 27 11 4 9 18
WHOLE FOODS 7882 - GIN GINS ORIGINAL CHEWY GINGER, 72 g (2pcs) 240 60 0 0 0 60

1,097 209 30 14 110 155
D I N N E R
Generic - Italian Sausage Link, 2 link 540 4 44 34 2,020 0
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup 65 13 3 6 23 0

605 17 47 40 2,043 0
S N A C K S
Maker's Mark - Bourbon Whiskey, 5 oz 345 0 0 0 0 0

345 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 3,054 406 80 74 2,661 155
Your Daily Goal 3,464 433 115 174 2,300 130
Remaining 410 27 35 100 -360 -24
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 1,534 extra calories from exercise today         

Your Exercise Diary for:
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
elliptical 62 1,540
MFP iOS calorie adjustment Ic_i N/A -6

   
Daily Total / Goal 63 / 30 1,534 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 320 / 210 6,424 / 4,130
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total calories consumed 3054 calories
total calories burned 1540 calories
total net calories 1514 calories

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fitbit day 56
20054 steps
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Wednesday, October 28, 2015

SWEET HOME CHICAGO

After 6 days (five nights) in Houston, Texas I returned to Sweet Home Chicago by noon on my Southwest Airlines flight.

Apparently I brought the rain with me.  And I had forgotten that Chicago can be a bit colder this time of year as well.  I did set out for a 10 mile walk in the late afternoon early evening.  It was rainy and it was cold and windy.  I found myself walking against the wind which made it all the more difficult.  My ten mile walk was broken down into two walks: 7.82 miles and 2.20 miles.





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Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup 600 108 0 16 0 0
General Mills - Nature Valley - Oats 'n Honey Crunchy Granola Bar, 4 bars 380 58 12 8 320 24
Dagoba - Organic Chocolate Dark 59%, 2 oz 270 30 20 3 0 23

1,250 196 32 27 320 47
L U N C H
Forelli - Rice Cake, Multigrain, Thin, 18 slice 360 72 0 0 360 0
MARIANO'S - HUGE SPINACH SALAD, 1 SALAD 500 0 0 0 0 0

860 72 0 0 360 0
D I N N E R
WHOLE FOODS 5938 - UNSWEETENED BANANA CHIPS, 30 g (1/4 cup) 170 16 10 2 5 1
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup 240 36 6 10 1,600 6

410 52 16 12 1,605 7
S N A C K S
Ritz - Toasted Chips 100 Calorie Bag, 1 bag 100 16 3 1 190 2
RITZ - SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CHIPS, 2 package 200 32 6 2 380 4
Southwest Airlines - Peanuts, 2 Bag 140 4 12 6 190 2

440 52 21 9 760 8
Totals 2,960 372 69 48 3,045 62
Your Daily Goal 4,293 536 143 215 2,300 161
Remaining 1,333 164 74 167 -745 99
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 2,363 extra calories from exercise today         
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Tuesday, October 27, 2015

Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace 103 1,525
Walking, 5.0 mph 25 515
MFP iOS calorie adjustment Ic_i N/A 323
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 129 / 30 2,363 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 257 / 210 4,890 / 4,130
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TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2960 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2040 CALORIES
NET CALORIES 920 CALORIES
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fitbit day 55
25715 steps
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Tuesday, October 27, 2015

PHOENICIA SPECIALTY FOODS DOWNTOWN HOUSTON

I have been coming to the October Houston QuiltMarket for about 7 seven consecutive years.  Only yesterday, did I 'discover' a beautiful grocery store about two blocks from the convention center where the show takes place. (OK, technically, my brother Andy, discovered it)   This store opened for business in November 2011.  We walked over to pick up a lunch on the third and final day of the show.  I barely had the time to look around, but this particular grocery store seemed to have everything.  I quickly discovered that the salad bar included shrimp.  That was all I needed to know.  I prepared a spinach salad for myself that was heavy on shrimp.  Next year, I believe that I will be having lunch at the Phoenicia Specialty Foods Downtown in Houston each day of the tradeshow.
This salad was simply delicious and clearly healthy as spinach and shrimp are not high in calories.



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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, October 26, 2015
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Quaker Oats - Instant Oatmeal Apples & Cinnamon, 2 Bowl (43g) 320 66 4 8 400 24
Kellogg's - Special K Protein Cereal, 96 g 360 57 3 30 570 21

680 123 7 38 970 45
L U N C H
Kind Plus - Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate +Protein, 1 bar 200 17 13 7 40 9
Homemade - Spinach & Shrimp Salad, 3 cup 483 0 24 0 0 0

683 17 37 7 40 9
D I N N E R
Cheesecake Factory - Fish Taco, 2 Taco 600 60 4 0 1,000 0
Vitamix - Avocado Tortilla Soup, 2 cup 330 44 14 12 944 8

930 104 18 12 1,944 8
S N A C K S
Dewar's - 12 Years Old Double Aged Blended Scotch Whisky, 4.5 oz 312 0 0 0 0 0

312 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 2,605 244 62 57 2,954 62
Your Daily Goal 4,457 557 148 223 2,300 167
Remaining 1,852 313 86 166 -654 105
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 2,527 extra calories from exercise today         

       Your Exercise Diary for:

Tuesday, October 27, 2015
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 0 / 30 0 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 128 / 210 2,527 / 4,130

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2605 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2045
TOTAL NET CALORIES 550 CALORIES 


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fitbit day 54
37456 steps
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My final day in Houston was another day to explore the downtown area on foot.  This time I ventured to the University of Houston Downtown before returning to my 'neighborhood.'   It was so nice to be walking outside again after two days of SOLID RAIN.  I am sure that my legs and feet enjoyed the two days off that I gave myself - although as days off - they may not have been so relaxing as I was standing around in a booth at a tradeshow for hours each day.





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