HIATUS

I am not going to blog every day anymore. First of all, my weight loss blog has recently turned into a weight gain blog. It has also turned very political. Maybe I crank up a new political blog in the future, as I have enjoyed railing against all those things that I rail on about. I am also not shutting down my blog. I think I will blog on those days that I actually 'do' something interesting. For me, interesting things include hiking in some new place, or taking an extra long hike close to home. That's my current plan. Regarding my weight, which began at 309 lbs on December 24, 2014 and fell 90 pounds at one point, I am currently hovering around 250 lbs. This is still nearly 60 pounds less than my starting weight, but far from my best weight. At some point, I need to get back to where I was one year ago, but not where I was nearly three years ago.  In conclusion, my blog is going to continue, but it will not be every day. Other than my Mom and a couple of brothers, a friend in New York and friends in Pennsylvania and San Francisco, I am not too sure who cares. But that's the story for now... See you soon, but likely not tomorrow.   

This is my 890th post. I have so far, accumulated 87,230 pageviews.... So it is clear that someone has been reading this stuff. I am definitely going to blog a few times per month, but I am releasing myself from the self-imposed obligation of posting daily.

TUESDAY

After a late night with colleagues on Sunday night, I woke up in St Louis and drove back home to Chicago. A quick pizza slice and I was off to dreamland. My step count was less than my step count in the days that I was recovering from my hernia a year ago. It's hard to accumulate steps when one is driving and/or sleeping.

Your Food Diary For:

Monday, May 22, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker Oatmeal	600	114	12	24	450	0
	600	114	12	24	450	0
L U N C H
Chef Salad, w/roast beef, imitation crab, chicken, ham	1,000	21	15	36	909	0
	1,000	21	15	36	909	0
D I N N E R
Pizza	700	78	28	31	1,166	6
	700	78	28	31	1,166	6
tals	2,300	213	55	91	2,525	6
Your Daily Goal	2,020	252	67	102	2,300	75
Remaining	-280	39	12	11	-225	69
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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ANOTHER UNIVERSITY TARNISHED

It was apparently only about 150 students who walked out on a graduation speech by Vice President Mike Pence, but still, with all the headlines, the reputation of the University of Notre Dame has been tarnished. Is this how the University has taught its graduates to learn from new ideas?  If so, the university has failed these snowflakes. 

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Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, May 21, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Bagel, Lox and Cream Cheese	600	73	18	40	2,336	13
Oatmeal	300	57	6	12	225	0
Pineapple	200	52	0	2	4	40
	1,100	182	24	54	2,565	53
L U N C H
Yogurt	200	38	0	12	230	24
Cheerios - Dry, 3 cup cereal	300	60	6	9	480	3
	500	98	6	21	710	27
D I N N E R
Cheeseburger w/french fries	940	51	61	47	1,700	0
	940	51	61	47	1,700	0
Totals	2,540	331	91	122	4,975	80
Your Daily Goal	2,110	264	70	106	2,300	79
Remaining	-430	-67	-21	-16	-2,675	-1
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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St LOUIS

I have been at a tradeshow in St Louis the past two days. This has allowed very little time to walk, exercise or do much beyond breakfast meetings, all days show schedule, and dinner with colleagues. No time to blather on (er, blog) about much. So that's the story.

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Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, May 20, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Oatmeal	300	57	6	12	225	0
Pineapple	200	52	0	2	4	40
	500	109	6	14	229	40
L U N C H
Bagel, Lox and Cream Cheese	600	73	18	40	2,336	13
	600	73	18	40	2,336	13
D I N N E R
Assorted Hors D'oeuvres	800	68	52	16	1,000	4
Seafood Chowder	400	22	29	15	1,661	0
	1,200	90	81	31	2,661	4
Totals	2,300	272	105	85	5,226	57
Your Daily Goal	2,092	261	69	105	2,300	78
Remaining	-208	-11	-36	20	-2,926	21
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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SPACESHIP

Usually on Saturday, I weigh myself.  Right now I am in St Louis for a trade show and without my scale. So my weight change this week, whether positive or negative will remain shrouded in mystery for a few days more. Last night I went to a St Louis Cardinals baseball game. Our seats, very happily were in the upper deck and covered by a roof. That roof came in quite handy as it started to rain at least three times during the game. Our group left the game in the 7th inning during rain delay. However, climbing the stair up to our seats did accomplish one thing for me. It put me over the top to a new lifetime 'badge' from fitbit, as I have now officially scaled 14,000 lifetime floors since I became a fitbitter in 2005. What does this mean? Nothing, but it is fun to have reached this new milestone.

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Your Food Diary For:

Friday, May 19, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Frosted Mini Wheats - Kelloggs	380	92	2	10	0	22
Oatmeal	300	57	6	12	225	0
	680	149	8	22	225	22
L U N C H
Chesseburger	700	0	375	35	1,104	7
French Fries	300	74	21	9	430	1
	1,000	74	396	44	1,534	8
D I N N E R
Spicy Seafood Gumbo	400	45	14	21	2,975	5
	400	45	14	21	2,975	5
S N A C K S
Chocolate Chip Cliff Bar	300	54	6	12	180	26
	300	54	6	12	180	26
Totals	2,380	322	424	99	4,914	61
Your Daily Goal	2,242	280	74	113	2,300	84
Remaining	-138	-42	-350	14	-2,614	23
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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Our group bailed out on the game during a rain delay as the Giants scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning. We missed the Cardinals scoring three run in the bottom of the seventh, and the rest of the game when the Giants came back to win the game. 

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25th AMENDMENT

The 25th Amendment outlines the rules of succession to the U.S. Presidency and Vice Presidency in the event of either or both of them dying, withdrawing or being removed from office. It was certified on February 23, 1967, by President Lyndon Johnson. .

The latest whispers in the media is that President Donald Trump can be removed by the rules of the 25th Amendment. The 25th Amendment was not a way to legalize a coup d'etat.  Sorry, Democrats, you don't get to remove a President just because he is unpopular with The New York Times and/or Network News Divisions.  When will this craziness stop? Obviously, never.

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, May 18, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Cinnamon and Spice Oatmeal	680	140	8	16	960	68
	680	140	8	16	960	68
L U N C H
Whole-wheat, toasted	157	29	3	6	335	13
3-egg Omelette With Cheese	425	0	21	28	650	2
	582	29	24	34	985	15
D I N N E R
Smoked Bbq Beef Brisket	700	14	60	31	1,185	0
	700	14	60	31	1,185	0
S N A C K S
Apple Pie A La Mode	500	0	0	0	0	0
	500	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	2,462	183	92	81	3,130	83
Your Daily Goal	2,128	266	71	107	2,300	79
Remaining	-334	83	-21	26	-830	-4
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

DEMOCRATS ARE WINNING

Trump won the election, the war. Democrats have basically won the smaller battles ever since. They created this fake story that Russian interference and Russian collaboration with the Trump campaign was the reason that Hillary Clinton lost. This preposterous, false story has been the biggest (fake) news story for the past few months. Not a shred of evidence has ever been produced, but that matters not to the Democrats and the media. They are winning. One hopes that the President continues to fight. The next fight will be the daily sparring with the 'special prosecutor' just appointed yesterday afternoon. 

The fake news story that Putin secretly controls Trump is the basis for so much comedy these days.  Perhaps  the comedy would be funnier, if the story was even remotely true. 

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, May 17, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Bagel With Cream Cheese, 1 bagel	400	58	12	13	780	4
	400	58	12	13	780	4
L U N C H
Peanut Butter - Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich	600	47	27	14	245	27
	600	47	27	14	245	27
D I N N E R
Hy-Vee Spinach Salad, w/roast beef, cheese, bacon, etc	1,000	0	0	0	0	0
	1,000	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	2,000	105	39	27	1,025	31
Your Daily Goal	1,996	249	66	100	2,300	74
Remaining	-4	144	27	73	1,275	43
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

CONSOLATION PRIZE

The dream of impeachment has been active since election night. The visceral hatred for Donald Trump has surprised me. Republican Presidents are always hated and ridiculed. Reagan was stupid. So was George W Bush. George Bush, 41, was a wimp. Nixon was a crook. Gerald Ford was uncoordinated and stupid. Conversely, Barack Obama was the most educated, most intelligent, best looking man who ever held the office. Bill Clinton was young and good-looking and smart. I can't remember what good things surely were said of Jimmy Carter. Back to Trump. The onslaught of hatred has been amazing. I suppose the media may be successful in damaging this guy just enough that he might just leave. That's the dream. Our consolation prize: Vice President Mike Pence. For that reason alone, perhaps the Democrats should ratchet down the noise a bit.

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    Your Food Diary For:

Tuesday, May 16, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal	600	114	12	24	450	0
	600	114	12	24	450	0
L U N C H
Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich	600	47	27	14	245	27
	600	47	27	14	245	27
D I N N E R
Oscar Mayer - Hot Dog, 2 Hot Dog	300	4	26	12	900	0
Butternut - Enriched Hot Dog Bun, 2 bun	220	42	3	6	440	4
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
	820	111	29	23	2,840	44
Totals	2,020	272	68	61	3,535	71
Your Daily Goal	2,103	263	70	106	2,300	78
Remaining	83	-9	2	45	-1,235	7
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

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KOBAYASHI MARU

My 9th grader told me that she has an assignment at school to write an essay on what the United States should do about the nuclear weapons program in North Korea. I wonder if her teacher is familiar with the Kobayashi Maru? (hint: Star Trek reference)  I believe that even Captain Kirk would be stumped by this one. We know what won't work. And I have not heard from anyone who has some good idea that does not involve the destruction of South Korea as collateral damage. I believe we can thank both President Carter and President Clinton for pretending to solve this problem nearly 25 years ago.  The lie that the problem was resolved 25 years ago is just like the lie that the problem in Iran was solved last year. My point is that the solution is unknown. Captain Kirk defeated the Kobayashi Maru stimulation by cheating, but he did beat it. Clinton, Carter and Obama 'defeated' rogue nuclear weapons proliferation by pretending to solve the problem. 

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OPINION

EDITORIAL

You can thank Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton for North Korea’s nukes

By Post Editorial Board

January 6, 2016 | 8:54pm

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North Korea’s boast that it just detonated its first hydrogen bomb met instant doubts from the White House and arms experts. If they’re right, Pyongyang “only” has plain-old atomic bombs. What a . . . relief? But, as one Chinese expert told The Wall Street Journal, the H-bomb claim still shows that tyrant Kim Jong-un is “marching in that direction.” For all this, thank Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton. North Korea couldn’t have done it without their gullibility. Back in 1994, President Clinton prepared to confront North Korea over CIA reports it had built nuclear warheads and its subsequent threats to engulf Japan and South Korea in “a sea of fire.” Enter self-appointed peacemaker Carter: The ex-prez scurried off to Pyongyang and negotiated a sellout deal that gave North Korea two new reactors and $5 billion in aid in return for a promise to quit seeking nukes. Clinton embraced this appeasement as achieving “an end to the threat of nuclear proliferation on the Korean Peninsula” — with compliance verified by international inspectors. Carter wound up winning the Nobel Peace Prize for his dubious efforts. But in 2002, the North Koreans ’fessed up: They’d begun violating the accord on Day One. Four years later, Pyongyang detonated its first nuke. Now, the Obama administration (long content to kick the North Korea can down the road) says it will never “accept” a nuclear North Korea. Funny: The president said the same thing about Iran, then cut a deal that guarantees the ayatollahs go atomic. Yet North Korea is more of a wild card, a concentration camp of a nation run by a tiny, ruthless elite. If it ever lives up to its boasts and unleashes that “sea of fire,” will Carter, Clinton and Obama shed public tears for Pyongyang’s victims?

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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, May 15, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal	600	114	12	24	450	0
	600	114	12	24	450	0
L U N C H
Read - 3 Bean Salad	300	65	0	5	1,500	40
Chicken Tenders	200	14	10	12	520	0
	500	79	10	17	2,020	40
D I N N E R
Grilled Cheese, 2 sandwich	832	74	45	33	700	12
	832	74	45	33	700	12
S N A C K S
Skinny Cow - Salted Caramel Pretzel Ice Cream	480	51	27	6	255	36
	480	51	27	6	255	36
Totals	2,412	318	94	80	3,425	88
Your Daily Goal	3,579	447	119	179	2,300	134
Remaining	1,167	129	25	99	-1,125	46
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, May 15, 2017

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
5.0 Mile Urban Hike	69	939
4.5 Mile Urban Hike	74	710
Daily Total / Goal	143 / 30	1,649 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	143 / 210	1,649 / 4,130

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