HAVE BACKPACK, WILL TRAVEL

These days, it just makes me so happy to strap on my backpack.  I usually load my backpack with some apples and/or granola bars with some water bottles and off I go. The very first method of exercise that I chose when my weight loss journey began back on December 2014 was walking - on the treadmill.  That did get boring quickly - and I 'graduated' to the elliptical machine. After my hike up and down Half Dome I greatly enjoy walking (hiking) anywhere with my backpack. I make sure to challenge myself and I walk as fast as I can. I am walking nearly (but not quite) 5 mph when I first start. A few weeks ago, I 'discovered' that bike riding was a good method of transportation (travel) and more recently I have 'discovered' that walking is also a great method of travel. Besides, once you arrive wherever it is that you are going, there is no equipment to lock up. My new hobby of walking reminds me of the old TV western: HAVE GUN, WILL TRAVEL.  My slogan, these days, could easily be: HAVE BACKPACK, WILL TRAVEL.

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After my workday concluded on Monday, I returned home eager to take a long walk.  This time, I turned north once outside my front door.  I specifically tried to walk so that I never recrossed my steps on any part of the map.  When this 'walk' was completed, I had managed to once again, walk 13.1 miles. I have now completed two back-to-back half marathons on consecutive days. Normally, this would have proven to me that I was capable of walking a full marathon.  I don't need any proof.  I walked a complete marathon a little over one week ago. I am a calorie consuming, fat burning, weight losing machine. Since I have rediscovered 'walking' - my weight loss has resumed. My weight had been bouncing around 225, 226, 227, 228 lbs for nearly 6 months.  Recently, I have resumed the downward trend on my scale.  I am on the verge of checking in under 220 lbs for the first time in many weeks. I have renewed my original goal of approaching a weight loss of 100 lbs.  At this point, my weight loss is 90 lbs from my initial weight of 309 lbs on December 24, 2014.  In the past year, it has been my physical abilities that has been increasing with each passing month - even as my weight loss had stalled.  Now, once again, my weight loss is active again. YEP, that's me... HAVE BACKPACK, WILL TRAVEL!

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It is said that the color BLACK makes one look thinner.  Yesterday during my walk I was wearing black workout pants and a black long sleeve t-shirt.  When I look at these photographs, I admit I do look thinner.  I am not sure if it the color BLACK that is responsible or the fact that I weigh about 90 lbs less than I did last Deember.  Upon further reflection, it is likely the latter.

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Apparently weight loss not only can make someone look thinner, it can often make someone look younger too.  This photograph of me was taken when my daughter, Sara, was just a few week old in 2002, nearly 14 years ago.  I know I look thinner now.  I suppose it is debateable whether or not I actually look younger today. It is not debatable that I currently look better!

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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, October 19, 2015 

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
FARM FRESH EGG-LAND'S. BEST - GRADE A EGG LARGE, 2 egg	120	0	8	12	130	0
Roundy's - Center Cut Bacon, 3 Slices	70	0	4	7	220	0
Quaker - Chewy Chocolate Chip Granola Bar, 2 bar (24G)	200	34	7	2	150	14
Quick Tools	990	142	19	37	500	14
L U N C H
Forrelli - Rice Cakes, 18 slice	360	72	0	0	0	0
WHOLE FOODS 5536 - YOGURT ALMONDS, 74.0 g (approx 12 pcs)	407	41	26	7	37	35
WHOLE FOODS - MILK CHOCOLATE CHERRIES, 46.0 g (approx 9 pieces)	207	29	11	2	11	24
Generic - Kashi Cherry Dark Chocolate, 2 bar	240	48	4	10	130	16
Quick Tools	1,214	189	41	20	179	75
D I N N E R
Campbell's Chunky - Manhattan Clam Chowder, 2 cup	240	36	6	10	1,600	6
Pampa - Seafood Cocktail In Brine: Clams, Scallops & Mussels, 112 g	90	2	2	14	210	0
Snap Kitchen - Crunchy Coconut Shrimp (SM), 226.8 g	240	26	8	18	470	4
Quick Tools	570	64	16	42	2,280	10
Totals	2,774	395	76	99	2,959	99
Your Daily Goal	4,424	553	147	222	2,300	166
Remaining	1,650	157	70	123	-658	66
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,494 extra calories from exercise today

	1,650	157	70	123	-658	66
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Your Exercise Diary for:  Monday, October 19, 2015  Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace 167 2,672 MFP iOS calorie adjustment  N/A -178 Add Exercise Quick Tools Daily Total / Goal 168 / 30 2,494 / 590 Weekly Total / Goal 168 / 210 2,494 / 4,130 TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 2724 CALORIES TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2672 NET CALORIES MONDAY 52 CALORIES ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~  fitbit day 47 27621 steps ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~	*You've earned 2,494 extra calories from exercise today