Tuesday, May 31, 2016

GOING NOWHERE FAST

Yesterday, I had a lot of free time to spend on the elliptical machine and the treadmill.  All day long, I accumulated steps, I was getting nowhere fast.




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When I began using the treadmill for the first time after my hernia injury I was using a very low setting of '7' for the resistance.  Yesterday during my four treadmill sessions, I turned it up a one notch to '8', then '9', then '10' and my fourth elliptical sessions was set to '11'.  Slowly I am regaining my strength and stamina.
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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, May 30, 2016

BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Malt-o-meal Cereal - Honey Nut Scooters, 2 cup 240 48 3 6 420 18
Frigo Cheeseheads - Superstring Cheese, 3 piece 210 2 15 15 510 0

450 50 18 21 930 18
L U N C H
Healthy Life - Lite White Bread, 4 slice 140 32 0 10 0 6
Sargento - Provolone Deli Ultra Thin Sliced Cheese, 8 slices 320 3 24 21 613 0
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey, 6 slices 210 3 18 12 900 0

670 38 42 43 1,513 6
D I N N E R
Post - Raisin Bran, 2 cup (59g) 380 94 2 10 460 38

380 94 2 10 460 38
S N A C K S
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 3 medium apple 285 75 1 2 5 57
Nestle - Crunch Candy Bar 220 30 11 2 60 24

505 105 12 4 65 81
Totals 2,005 286 74 78 2,969 143
Your Daily Goal 6,141 767 204 308 2,300 230
Remaining 4,136 480 130 230 -668 87
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 4,211 extra calories from exercise today         
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, May 30, 2016

Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
92 1,036
92 1,113
30 449
92 1,309
65 602
65 589
Ic_i N/A -887
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 437 / 30 4,211 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 437 / 210 4,211 / 4,130             
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AS I MENTIONED, I HAD A LOT OF FREE TIME YESTERDAY. AT LEAST MY FITBIT WAS HAPPY.



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Monday, May 30, 2016

SIX MILLION STEPS

The fitbit counts steps. If the device is being worn, it counts steps. It matters not whether you are aggressively exercising or very passively walking to the refrigerator. Nevertheless, I noticed something this morning.  I have noticed that I am less than 7000 steps away from logging my six millionth step since last September 3 when I purchased my fitbit. This information is likely interesting to only one person in the world. Me. As this is my blog, I decided to document this today. I should reach my ten millionth step sometime later this year. I admit it - I am a fan of dubious achievements.


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Morning Elliptical: 910 calories


Late Afternoon Elliptical: 945 calories

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Early Evening FIVE MILE walk with my daughter


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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, May 29, 2016
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 2 packet 200 44 0 4 620 0
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey, 4 slices 140 2 12 8 600 0
Egg, whole, cooked, poached, 3 large 215 1 14 19 446 1

555 47 26 31 1,666 1
L U N C H
corndog 280 25 0 0 0 0
Fried Chicken Leg 170 1 10 18 59 0

450 26 10 18 59 0
D I N N E R
Alaskan Salmon Burgers, 2 patty 340 4 18 40 660 0
Broccoli - Broccoli Steamed, 1 cup 31 6 0 3 30 2

371 10 18 43 690 2
S N A C K S
Malt O Meal - Honey Nut Scooters 360 72 5 9 630 27
Nice! - Wasabi Peas, 1.0 cup 330 48 6 15 540 9
Fage - 0% Honey Yogurt, 150 g - 5.3 oz 170 30 0 13 50 29
White Chocolate Chips 210 24 14 3 60 24
Yogurtland - Frozen Yogurt 480 100 0 16 260 72

1,550 274 24 56 1,540 161
Totals 2,926 357 78 147 3,955 163
Your Daily Goal 4,938 617 164 247 2,300 185
Remaining 2,012 259 85 99 -1,654 21
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 3,008 extra calories from exercise today         
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, May 29, 2016
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
92 910
92 945
65 1,000
Ic_i N/A 153
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 250 / 30 3,008 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal         1064 / 210 13,468 / 4,130                     
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MID-DAY UPDATE @ 11:00AM local time
As expected, after my morning workout...I surpassed six millions 'lifetime' steps since September 3, 2015



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It appears that my next milestone on my fitbit will be my 'lifetime' achievement of 'traversing' THREE THOUSAND MILES which I will surely reach within the next three weeks.



Sunday, May 29, 2016

40,000 STEPS

It takes a bit of effort to amass 40,000 steps in one day as any 'fitbitter' knows.  Yesterday was the 35th time that I have stepped at least that much in one day since I first purchased my fitbit back in September. It had been over two months, since March 26th that I have reached this somewhat dubious accomplishment. My day started with about 10,000 accumulated during a 90 minute session on the elliptical machine. I ran an errand in the late morning which turned into a six mile trip which tacked on another 10,000 steps. And finally, the last full day that our family hosted a young woman from Paris, France was spent traipsing about Chicago so she could enjoy a final glimpse of Chicago before her flight home today. I definitely enjoy being active.




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Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, May 28, 2016
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original 200 44 0 4 620 0
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey, 4 slices 140 2 12 8 600 0
Egg, whole, cooked, poached, 3 large 215 1 14 19 446 1

555 47 26 31 1,666 1
L U N C H
CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA 480 80 14 10 120 30
ORGANIC DATE PIECES 240 60 0 2 20 44

720 140 14 12 140 74
D I N N E R
Homemade - Fried Chicken Leg, 3 Leg 510 3 29 54 177 0
Broccoli - Broccoli 120 12 1 11 98 0
Wild rice, cooked 331 70 1 13 10 2

961 85 31 78 285 2
S N A C K S
Trail mix bar- tropical blend, 1 bar 210 20 13 4 45 10
Malt O Meal - Honey Nut Scooters 240 48 3 6 420 18

450 68 16 10 465 28
Totals 2,686 340 88 130 2,555 105
Your Daily Goal 5,001 625 166 251 2,300 187
Remaining 2,315 284 78 120 -255 82
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 3,071 extra calories from exercise today         
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, May 28, 2016
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
92 962
75 1,271
Ic_i N/A 838
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 168 / 30 3,071 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 814 / 210 10,452 / 4,130             
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Saturday, May 28, 2016

RIGHT DIRECTION

I fervently hoped that I reached a new (unwelcome) peak on May 7th.  On that day I stepped on the shiny glass surface of my bathroom scale and the imaginary needle pointed at 241.9 lbs. As depressing as that was, I was still able to derive some solace as I remembered that my weight journey began at 309 lbs. This morning, that same imaginary needle stopped at 236 lbs.  This is a big improvement over the past three weeks. My nearly 6 weeks on the 'dl' (disabled list) was not helpful in my weight maintenance. However, that unwelcome wrinkle in my life is now in my rearview mirror. Although, I do maintain a large appetite, I do find that exercising helps balance my net calories. If I could continue to lost only 1 pound per week, I would be doing a great job.  I believe that with respect to my weight, finally, I may once again be going in the right direction.


Your Food Diary For:

Friday, May 27, 2016
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Fage - Total 2% with Key Lime yogurt 140 18 3 12 40 16
Egg, whole, cooked, poached, 3 large 215 1 14 19 446 1
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey, 4 slices 140 2 12 8 600 0
Malt-o-meal Cereal - Honey Nut Scooters 240 48 3 6 420 18

735 69 32 45 1,506 35
L U N C H
frigo - Cheeseheads, 1 piece 80 1 6 6 200 0
Real Foods - Corn Thins Organic 575 100 0 13 325 0
Sage - Red Delicious Apple 190 50 1 1 4 38

845 151 7 20 529 38
D I N N E R
Homemade - Chili - Chili, 16 oz 276 19 10 20 300 5
Chicago Pizza - Pizza, 1 slice 500 45 30 16 0 0

776 64 40 36 300 5


Totals 2,356 284 79 100 2,334 77
Your Daily Goal 3,763 470 125 189 2,300 141
Remaining 1,407 185 46 88 -34 63
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 1,833 extra calories from exercise today         
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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Friday, May 27, 2016
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
92 1,138
92 1,027
Ic_i N/A -332
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 185 / 30 1,833 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 739 / 210 8,177 / 4,130             
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morning workout

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evening workout


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I think this is exactly what it means to be going in the RIGHT DIRECTION.


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Friday, May 27, 2016

DAY NIGHT DOUBLEHEADER

Normally a 'day night doubleheader' refers to the two games a baseball plays in the same day, the first game in the early afternoon and the second game a night game. My version of a 'day night doubleheader' was my 90 minute elliptical workout at 6AM followed by an early evening 8 mile walk later that same day. I definitely enjoy being active. My walk included a visit to Navy Pier where I saw the brand-new Ferris Wheel which is now rebuilt and will be making its public debut later today. It is likely that our family will bring our French guest to this iconic Chicago landmark tomorrow.


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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, May 26, 2016
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Egg, whole, cooked, poached, 3 large 215 1 14 19 446 1
Butterball - Bacon Style Turkey 140 2 12 8 600 0
Toast White No Butter 300 48 8 11 510 6
 Granola Bar - Oats'n Honey 190 29 7 3 180 11

845 80 41 40 1,736 18
L U N C H
Real Foods - Corn Thins Organic 575 100 0 13 325 0
Red Delicious Apple, 2 medium apple 190 50 1 1 4 38

765 150 1 14 329 38
D I N N E R
Homemade Soft Tacos 870 0 14 12 2,700 6

870 0 14 12 2,700 6
S N A C K S
Snappy Ginger Cookies 260 46 7 2 240 22

260 46 7 2 240 22
Totals 2,740 276 62 68 5,004 83
Your Daily Goal 4,552 569 151 228 2,300 170
Remaining 1,812 292 89 160 -2,704 86
Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
*You've earned 2,622 extra calories from exercise today         


Your Exercise Diary for:

      Thursday, May 26, 2016
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
92 1,187
102 1,646
Ic_i N/A -211
Add Exercise
   
Daily Total / Goal 195 / 30 2,622 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 461 / 210 5,546 / 4,130             



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Thursday, May 26, 2016

SUPERDAWG®

Earlier during this academic school year, our daughter with 23 other classmates, made a trip to France and each stayed in the home of a family in Paris.  Each of the 24 students from Lincoln Park Elementary School stayed in various homes sprinkled around a Paris neighborhood.  This week it is time for the American families to return the favor. We have hosted a delightful young woman since last Friday (although I only met her on Monday when I returned home from Salt Lake City)  During the school day when my daughter Sara is studying at school, the visitors from Paris have been checking out some of the more expected sights in Chicago.  Our job is to give the visitors a taste of Chicago that they might not get from that experience.  We decided that an iconic hot dog stand that has been a beacon to hot dog lovers since 1948 might be a worthwhile place to visit. Since I do not feel comfortable posting photos of someone else's child without their parents' permission, I don't have a photo of my daughter with her 'correspondant' (as they are referred to by her French teacher)  I hope that our guest enjoyed this particular trip off the beaten path.  At the very least, I know I did - and I must admit I cannot remember the last time I visited this iconic Chicago landmark.


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Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, May 25, 2016
BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar
Nature Valley Crunchy Granola Bar - Oats'n Honey 190 29 7 3 180 11
Egg, whole, cooked, poached, 3 large 215 1 14 19 446 1
Bacon Style Turkey, 4 slices 140 2 12 8 600 0
Red Delicious Apple, 2 medium apple (170g) 190 50 1 1 4 38
735 82 34 31 1,229 49
L U N C H
SUBWAY FOOTLONG FRESH FIT - 9-GRAIN WHEAT BREAD ROAST BEEF (no cheese) MUSTARD, 1 FOOTLONG 640 90 10 48 1,400 14
Apples - Apples, 2 medium apple 160 44 0 0 0 32
Kellogs - Nutrigrain Bar - Strawberry, 1 Bar 130 25 4 2 117 12
930 159 14 50 1,517 58
D I N N E R
Superdawg - Hot Dog W/Fries, 1 Serving 690 71 43 19 1,640 0
690 71 43 19 1,640 0




Totals 2,355 312 90 99 4,386 107
Your Daily Goal 2,705 338 90 136 2,300 101
Remaining 350 25 0 36 -2,086 -6

Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar

*You've earned 775 extra calories from exercise today

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Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, May 25, 2016
Cardiovascular Minutes Calories Burned
99 899
Ic_i N/A -124



   
Daily Total / Goal 100 / 30 775 / 590  
Weekly Total / Goal 266 / 210 2,895 / 4,130




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THIS WAS LIFTED DIRECTLY FROM superdawg.com
In May of 1948, Superdawg® was established at the corner of Milwaukee, Devon and Nagle in Chicago. Superdawg® continues to be family owned and operated in the same location today. 
Maurie Berman, a recently returned G.I. from World War II, married his high school sweetheart Florence (Flaurie), in August of 1947. Maurie was attending Northwestern University, studying to be a CPA, while recent Northwestern grad Flaurie was teaching in the Chicago Public Schools. With their "school-year" schedules, the newlyweds wanted to open a business that they could operate during the summer months. Many other returning G.I.'s were opening roadside hot dog carts and Maurie and Flaurie decided to open their own roadside hot dog stand, one that would be as unique and distinctive as they were.
Maurie designed an architecturally distinct, 20' x 12' building topped with two 12 foot hot dog icons to beckon hungry passersby with their winking and blinking eyes. Maurie and Flaurie then created a proprietary, secret recipe to set themselves apart from the other hot dog stands popping up around the city. With a distinctive look and delicious recipe, they were almost ready to open. All they needed was a name. Inspired by the superheroes featured in the newly-created, popular comics of the '40's, Maurie and Flaurie named their signature product and restaurant. It was not a wiener — not a frankfurter — not a red hot — but their own exclusive SUPERDAWG™. 
In 1948, Milwaukee and Devon was the end of the streetcar line. With the forest preserve and Whealan Pool across the street, the area was a great destination for swimming families and cruisin' teens. Kids could ride the streetcar for a nickel, and stop at Superdawg® where a Superdawg™ sandwich and drink cost only 32 cents. Many times, on their way home, they would stop and ask what they could buy for a dime. If they were a few cents short, Maurie and Flaurie would give them what they wanted and told them to bring the money back the next time they stopped, which they never failed to do.
In 1950 Maurie passed the CPA exam, but he and Flaurie decided to keep operating Superdawg® and to open year-round in order to retain the outstanding personnel that had become so invaluable to fulfilling the Superdawg® ideals. When Superdawg® first opened, the electronic speaker system had not been invented. Carhops went out to the cars to take orders and customers signaled that they were ready for their trays to be picked up by turning on their headlights. In the early 1950's the "carhop in a wire" electronic speaker system was installed, and Maurie designed the glowing blue "control tower" where the carhop sits to answer the switchboard and take orders. As Superdawg® grew into a successful business, Maurie and Flaurie found time to raise their family of three children (although not on Whoopercheesies® alone).
Throughout the years, small changes have been made to the menu, like the addition of the Whoopskidawg® in 1989 and the Superchic™ in 1991. However, the Superdawg™ recipe, the original trademark figures (continuing to flirtatiously wink at each other), and the drive-in concept have not changed. Customers can still order from their car and have a carhop deliver their order on a tray. Maurie and Flaurie's attention to quality products and service, preparing each customer's meal to order, affirming the belief that the customer is always right, and insisting that the customer should always be treated as family continues today. 
In 1999, Superdawg® underwent a makeover while retaining the original building and spirit. The classic '40's drive-in was updated with the addition of neon-studded canopies across the parking lot, a crisp new speaker system and a cozy, indoor dining room. The original rooftop figures were refurbished so that they can continue to serve as a Chicago landmark for years to come. 
In May of 2009 ground was broken for a second location 11 miles north on Milwaukee Avenue in Wheeling, IL. Every effort was taken to recreate the look and feel of the Milwaukee and Devon location. The blue tower, the canopies on the parking lot along with the ordering speakers, the neon and diamonds along the building and canopies, the tile inside and most importantly, the trademark Maurie and Flaurie figures on the roof all were painstakingly incorporated into the plans. Much of the equipment was custom built as well. Over the next six months, anticipation grew for a new Superdawg to open. In January, 2010, Maurie, Flaurie and the rest of the family were proud to say, "HIYA!!...From the bottom of our pure beef hearts, Thanks for stopping" in Wheeling.
Since 1948, Maurie, Flaurie, their children and grandchildren have scrupulously adhered to one goal: "always to serve you in a manner that will make you want to return – and bring your friends, and new generations, with you".
From the bottom of our pure beef hearts... THANKS FOR STOPPING®.

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