LEAP DAY

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Leap Day does not come around too often.... in fact, it comes around once every four years... I was curious how much I weighed on the last leap day 2016.... I looked it up... Actually it was a bit depressing... on Leap Day 2016 - I was 228 lbs.  On this Leap Day morning 2020 I weighed myself and I was 265.8 lbs.  Better I should remind myself that I was 297 lbs on New Years Day 2020.... I should celebrate that I have successfully lost 31.2 lbs this year. It's going to be a great Leap Year this year. I am going to lose a lot of weight. And the year will be capped off by an epic election in November!  (Hint: I am not rooting for Bernie, Bloomberg, or Biden!)

WENT TO BED HUNGRY - BUT LET ME EXPLAIN

Typical conversation I have had all my life:
Question: Are you hungry?
Response: I could eat.

Yes, one can 'always' eat... I think the only times in my life I have felt that I could not eat were literally the few times in my life I have dined at a buffett brought myself  almost to the point of puking.  Other than that extreme situation - every other moment in my life - I have been 'hungry.'

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sidebar: true story    Once year not so long ago for my birthday went to all-you-can-eat sushi.  I always get my 'moneys worth' at places like this.  I ate a bit too much too fast and had to run to the bathroom with the desire to puke.  I didn't, but after a few minutes the sick feeling left me and I was able to continue eating.  Was I still hungry?  Uh...no.... But why should a lack of hunger stop a fat pig from eating?
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Of course, this is moronic.  I have never denied being a moron when it comes to food.
For example, last night, after a very slim dinner of a Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon sandwich at Starbucks eaten around 5:30PM, I found myself 'hungry' when I pulled into the town where my hotel was at 8PM.

I kinda asked myself: Am I hungry?
My inner response: Of course, I was.

But I chose to get past the feeling, I had a large glass of water in my hotel, and I focused on doing something else and not thinking about food.  When I woke up on Friday morning, did I rush down to breakfast to finally feed my 'starving self?'  Of course not.  I was not 'starving' the night before.  I did not wake up starving.  I feel a bit hungry.  But this hunger is likely real.  So enough typing... time to go downstairs from my hotel room and grab some breakfast. I'm hungry.

See you tomorrow!


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DEMOCRATIC DEBATE

Wow... what a debate on Tuesday night.
I am a Conservative Republican therefore I thoroughly enjoyed watching the Democratic Mental Midgets yelling at each other and accusing each of other of various wild crimes and indiscretions.
If you are a Democrat - my guess is that the debate may not have been very enjoyable.


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ADVERTISING WORKS

I have been to Applebee's many times over the past 7 weeks.
Each time I look at the same menu and every once in a while I select something new.
Last night I saw a commercial on TV for Applebee's touting their new Bowls.
I sought out the extra menu when I went to Applebee's for lunch today.
SOLD.
The bowl I had was delicious and suitably low in calories.
Advertising works!

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DINNER MARRIOTT COURTYARD - MARGHERITA FLATBREAD

Arrived kinda late at the Marriott Courtyard.
Dinner:

Margherita Flatbread 710 CAL
roasted tomatoes, basil + cheese

270.8 lbs MONDAY MORNING

Most people do not brag about weighing north of 270 lbs.
Even today, I am not 'bragging.'
It is also true that most people did not weigh 297 lbs when they woke up on New Years Day.
Nevertheless, I am one of those people.
So I will allow myself to be pleased that I am not too far away from getting into the 260's.
It does matter what you weigh today, that makes one happy.
It kinda depends on what you weighed a month ago.
I am going in the write direction.

FINALLY, THE TRUTH

Finally, the truth.  This article from the satiric 'The Babylon Bee' is supposed to be funny.  It is funny. It is funny because although it is supposed to be satire - it really is the complete unfiltered truth.

(Weighed myself this morning... 271.2 lbs (down from 297 lbs on January 1st, about 50 days ago)
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Politics

Democrats Warn That American People May Tamper With Next Election

January 23rd, 2020

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WASHINGTON, D.C.—In his opening statement at Trump's impeachment trial, Rep. Adam Schiff reminded the Senate of their solemn duty and the gravity of just what it is they will be discussing at the trial.

Schiff warned that if Trump is not impeached, the American people may have a chance to tamper with the next election.

"If President Trump is not impeached, the American people might get a say in who is president," Schiff said gravely. "We simply can't allow that to happen. We must diligently defend our electoral process against electoral outcomes we do not like. If that means seizing power through a sham impeachment trial, so be it."

"When the Founders wrote that founding document thing, they never imagined there would be electoral outcomes that Democrats did not agree with."

Democrats also said they even have hard evidence that the 2016 election was compromised by Republicans voting for Trump.

"We know this horrible outcome could happen, because it's already happened once before."

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UPTOWN GRILL LASALLE, ILLINOIS

On Friday I was with a particularly good customer from 10AM until 9PM.
Afterwards we had a dinner at Uptown Grill in LaSalle, Illinois.
I am so used to eating virtually every meal at Red Lobster, Applebee's, Panera and Starbucks.
Now that I have trained myself to make (relatively) healthy choices - I selected menu items which although were not listed with calories - I was confident that I was making somewhat smart (and tasty) choices.


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Thursday February 20

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DEMOCRATIC DEBATE WEDNESDAY LAS VEGAS - WHO IS FRONTRUNNER NOW?

I am 'publishing' this page before I sit down to watch the debate...
I cannot fathom that Bloomberg will increase his poll numbers.
The guy may be a billionaire - but it does not make him a genius.
I know that this an unpopular opinion.
The guy has zero charisma.
Charisma is important.
Bernie may be nuts, but at least he is interesting.
Bloomberg is also nuts, and he is not interesting....
Ok, that's enough for now...



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273.2 POUNDS

Watching one's weight on a scaled from day-to-day is maddening... I had thought that I had dipped below 270 - apparently I have not... Weighed myself on Wednesday morning... and I am 273.2... Since I was 297 on January 1st - I better revel in the accomplishment and not get caught up being disappointed that I am not in the '260's' just yet...

Too many calories - I let my appetite take over yesterday...

I was not quite this glutinous, but I did eat too much yesterday

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SUNDAY another day like the past 45 before it

Another unspectacular day...
Another day just eating nothing but actual food.
Not necessarily health food, but healthy food nevertheless

ON THE PROGRAM FOR A MONTH AND A HALF

It is now the end of the day, February 15.

I have not swayed from my course.

I have continued to eat well for 1.5 months.

This is a bit of an accomplishment.

Even this short time represents 1/8th of year.

As long as I continue... I will see my weight continue to drop.

Unlike past 'health binges' this has been a far more sustainable plan.

In the past I consumed 1000 calories per day. 

It is true that my weight dropped faster - but when I ended that plan, I had not practiced safe eating.

This time, I am eating well.  I am not starving myself. 

And there is not really a plan to jettison...

I am trying (again) to get into the habit of simply eating well.

Someday, and I don't know when, I will have a cookie and maybe a chocolate bar...

But that day should not come soon.

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I have stayed 'on program' for 1.5 months... That is 1/8th of a year.  I just need to keep on doing  what I am doing.

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I HAVE LOST 27.4 POUNDS

Gee, this 'program' seems so easy to me every time I get on it.
What's the program?
Essentially do not eat sh*t foods!
I am no health nut - I still consume artificial sweeteners
I am enjoying the croutons on my salad
I am enjoying the salad dressing on my Casesar's salad
I am enjoying a portion of French Baguette with my soups
I am eating the turkey, vegetable, pork and other sausages as part of breakfast with my eggs

But what I am not doing since January 1st....

No Reese's Pieces
No M&M's
No candy
No chocolate brownie with sprinkles
No sprinkles
No chocolate brownie
No chocolate cake
No vanilla cake
No cake
No doughnuts
No donuts either
No milkshakes
No Chocolate Milk
No Klondike Bar
No Nestle's chipwich
No Ice-cream
No flavored yogurt
No potato chips
No Cheetos
No McDonalds
No Arby's
No Jack-in-the-Box
No Taco Bell
No Burger King
No Culvers
No Panda Express (although there are some healthier options there I could consider)
No Chick Fil A
No Fast Food
No French Fries anywhere
No Cheeseburger with or without french fries
No Hamburger with or without french fires
No Costco Hot Dogs
No Pizza with extra cheese
No Pizza with regular cheese
No Foot Long subs at Subway
No Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
No freshly baked free cookies from the Marriott when I check in
No free cookies left in my room as a reward for being a frequent traveler
No cookies from anyone from anywhere at any time

The Result...

Since January 1st, I am down 27.4 lbs - This morning I weighed 269.6 lbs.

This decal is for marathon runners, to announce to the world that they ran more than the required 26.2  miles.  Today I am using this to remind myself that although I have never been nor never will be a marathon runner, and therefore will never get lost on a marathon course.... I have coincidentally lost 27.4 (pounds) - and that is worth shouting about.

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LONG DAY BURNING THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS

On Thursday I was out and about from 7AM until nearly 2AM early Friday morning... I am going to forgive myself for eating just a bit more than normal... I was pretty happy to find an open Applebee's at 11PM in a small town, Terre Haute, Indiana

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STAR TREK PICARD

No time to write much tonight... gotta get up early tomorrow to watch Season 1 Episode 4 of Star Trek Picard which should be available the moment I wake up tomorrow!

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GOODBYE QUID PRO JOE

Let's talk politics... In previous years posting every day, I enjoyed dipping into some political pontificating.... It's time to rediscover that.

President Biden? Perhaps of his condo association, not President of the United States of America

On Tuesday night the State of New Hampshire held a primary which will signal the end of the Presidential aspirations of Joe Biden.  The man deserves to be enjoying his retirement and the many millions of dollars immorally 'earned' by him and his family.

After years of hearing how President Trump was a 'liar'
Here is a whopper of a lie from Vice President Biden:

From the very beginning, Biden claimed that he did not desire the endorsement of President Barack Obama.  This was so patently untrue - that a person would have to be medically brain-dead to believe it.  If it were true that Biden asked Obama not to endorse him - then it would be demonstrably proven that the guy is far too stupid to be President.  So either he is a bad liar or dumber than a box of rocks.
Relax everyone, it is possible that he is both.

Adios Joe.
Adios Pocahontas

Hello Democratic Socialist/Communist nominee for President, Bernie Sanders.

Can Bloomberg snatch the nomination from Bernie?
Maybe...
He is still a clueless Democrat, but at least he is not a communist.

NEW SCALE

I have had the same scale for about 5 years... It has been driving me nuts lately.... I can step on and off the scale 5 times in one minute and get five different results.

Sunday, I bought a new scale at Costco, so I hope that this particular aggravation will end... I weighed myself on my new scale on Monday morning and the new scale consistently showed that I weighed 275.2lbs.

Picked this up at Costco on Sunday... I had expected it to be $19.99 when I pulled it off the shelf. There was an automatic $5.00 rebate applied and I paid $16.53 which included tax.  Unbelievable inexpensive. Why did I wait so long to replace my scale which was driving me nuts?

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GOATS HEAD SOUP

I had a hearty soup for lunch, not quite as hearty as this faux choice from Campbell's, but hearty nonetheless.

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MONK FRUIT SWEETENER, SAY WHAT NOW?

Keto Dieters Love This Low-Carb Sugar Substitute—but Is It Worth the Hype?

BY NINA BAHADUR   JANUARY 2018

Monk fruit extract is appealing for three major reasons: It’s unbelievably sweet, won’t raise your blood sugar levels, and has little to no calories in its pure powdered form. Plus, there are no known nasty side effects, and the Food and Drug Administration categorizes monk fruit extract as “generally recognized as safe” (GRAS), even if you have diabetes.
“It’s 150 to 200 times sweeter than sugar, so you can use very little,” explains Keri Glassman M.S., R.D.N., founder of Nutritious Life. “It also contains antioxidants and is said to support the immune system, digestive tract, glands, and respiratory system.” One study even suggests monk fruit sweetener might have anti-inflammatory properties.
So How Does Monk Fruit Sweetener Compare to Sugar?
Consuming too much added sugar can ruin your teeth, cause kidney stones, increase your risk of heart disease, harm your liver, and make you gain weight. Monk fruit sweetener has not been proven to do any of these things.
Monk fruit’s sweetness comes from chemicals called mogrosides, which the body processes differently from common sugars like sucrose and fructose.
While monk fruit extract may be a healthier choice compared to sugar and many other artificial sweeteners, that doesn’t necessarily mean you should add it to all of your meals, says Cara Harbstreet, M.S. R.D. L.D., of Street Smart Nutrition. Like anything, moderation is key.
“Monk fruit sweeteners are calorie-free, but that doesn’t mean they can be used with abandon,” says Harbstreet. “From a safety standpoint, there would be no negative physical effects. However, health encompasses our emotional and mental health as well, and low-calorie or calorie-free sweeteners are often associated with dieting behaviors that can damage one’s relationship with food.”
Translation: Adding any kind of sweetener to your food might make you crave sugary things, which can cause a vicious cycle, especially if your goal is weight loss.

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ROLLING STONES ARE BACK - DID THEY EVER LEAVE?

Just announced on Thursday February 6, 2020

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Wednesday February 5

YEP, THE DEMS WANT TO RUN THE WORLD, CAN'T EVEN RUN THIER OWN IOWA CAUCUS

Wow, I was kinda looking forward to watching the returns from the 'First in the Nation' Iowa Caucus on Monday night.  Well, the democrats in Iowa are so inept that the results were still unknown well into Tuesday.  Yep, it's a great idea for these same geniuses to take over everything that they want to take over. Yikes!

Reasons unclear?  How about inept morons responsible?

Me, I am just trying to take over my own life.
Eating health(per) and cutting out chocolate and cookies and ice-cream and all the other garbage the helped me gain pound after pound after pound....

So far, in 2020, things are looking good.

WEIGHT LOSS IS HARDER THAN ROCKET SCIENCE

reprinted from The Wall Street Journal

Weight Loss Is Harder Than Rocket Science

The equation behind body-mass index is simpler than the math used in space flight, but measuring human bodies is a tricky business

Credit: Tomasz Walenta

By Eugenia Cheng

January 30, 2020, 9:54 a.m. EST

We all have different ways to judge whether or not we need to lose weight. Some of us are always happy the way we are; some worry that our clothes are getting too tight or notice changes in the mirror; and others, especially doctors, pay attention to body-mass index or BMI.

BMI is given by a straightforward mathematical formula: weight (technically mass) divided by height squared, where weight is in kilograms and height in meters. The idea is that taller people should naturally weigh more, so we need some sort of ratio between weight and height. But why is height squared?

Mathematically, areas increase according to length squared, but volumes according to length cubed. A 12-inch pizza isn’t twice the size of a 6-inch pizza, but four times the size, whereas a 12-inch watermelon would be about eight times the volume of a 6-inch one.

Humans are three-dimensional, not flat like pizzas, but the formula for BMI seems to treat us as two-dimensional objects. One mathematical interpretation of the formula is that as humans get taller, their measurements should not scale up in all directions. Perhaps we expect tall people to be wider but not thicker from front to back.

The idea behind BMI was proposed in 1832 by the statistician Adolphe Quetelet, who wasn’t trying to define a healthy weight but to model a bell curve or normal distribution of human body sizes. He studied heights and weights and observed that weight tended to increase not according to the cube of height but with its square. The Quetelet index was renamed the body-mass index in 1972 by physiologist Ancel Keys, but it still wasn’t meant to measure the health of individuals, only to show trends among populations.

One reason the BMI model runs into problems when applied to individuals is because it doesn’t take body composition into account. It uses the crude measure of weight without distinguishing between muscle and fat, even though excess fat is much more likely to be detrimental to health than large amounts of muscle. Measuring fat composition directly comes with its own problems, however, so BMI is used as a simpler model.

The variations in our individual biology are always going to make it hard to model anything about humans precisely. It is sometimes said that “losing weight isn’t rocket science”—a field that is popularly invoked to indicate extreme difficulty. It’s true that rocket science involves much more complicated formulas than the one for BMI. But rocket science is arguably simpler than weight loss, in the sense that it involves less unpredictability and variation. We control how rockets are made, and they don’t change their material composition over time.

That is why the relationship between math and physics is generally much closer than the relationship between math and biology. But mathematical models are still helpful even when caveats and exceptions are needed. Just because an idea is expressed mathematically doesn’t mean it’s always right; but equally, just because a mathematical model isn’t always right doesn’t mean it’s completely wrong. The point of a mathematical model is to produce a theoretical version of a real-life situation, which sometimes involves trading precision for simplicity. It’s easy to dismiss BMI out of hand because of its flaws, but it’s more productive for us to use math appropriately, in full awareness of both its shortcomings and its many benefits.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY

While most of the civilized and uncivilized world was watching the Super Bowl and downing beers, chips, chicken wings and and zillion other high calorie treats... I stayed on 'the program.'  I also watched the game - I just did it without consuming hundreds of unwanted, unneeded, unwelcome empty calories.

Weirdly, I had a salad for breakfast, as that was readily available at home in the morning...

Other than that, I have logged another good day of careful eating.

I have been eating a lot of fish lately... it was time to eat some actual meat, so I did.

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RESULTS!

Sunday morning was the first time I was home and could weigh myself on my home scale.  I suspected that I would be cheered by the results:

On the morning of January 1st I did weight 297 lbs.
On the morning just today February 2nd, I weigh 272.6 lbs

January 2020, the first month of the year, and of the decade ushered in a weight loss of 24.4 lbs.

I did this without starving myself.
I did this basically eating three meals per day.
I did this eating zero unhealthy snacks, and for that matter, zero 'healthy' snacks.
I did not choose the absolute lowest calories choice at restaurants - but always had an enjoyable meal.
I did not forgo the baguette french bread when enjoying soup, but always skipped the crackers.
I did always have a glass of water with lunch and dinner - never soda, never diet iced tea.
I did walk away from free breakfast buffett - thinking I could have eaten more.
I did almost always stop and dine in for lunch and dinner, avoided 'drive-thru' meals.
I did lose 24.4 lbs in the first month of the year.
I did remember that I have done this before, and that I could do it again.
I did remember that the most difficult thing about changing a life pattern is deciding to do it...
...and doing it.
  

OK, now it's time to continue doing what I am doing....

JANUARY

JANUARY
SUCCESS
one complete month eating well
no chocolate chip cookies, no Oreos, no Hot Chocolate, no chocolate cake, no Hi Ho's, No M&M's (plain or peanut) No Potato Chips, no Bugles, no Hamburger, no Pizza, no Soft Pretzel, no gas-station hot dogs, no free cookies at the hotel, no flavored oatmeal, no Culver's, no Chick-Fil-A, no bacon, egg, cheese bagels at McDonald's, no White Castle, no Tacos at Taco Bell, no Whoppers, no cheeseburgers, no Klondike Bars, no milk shakes, no Brownies, no Hershey chocolate bar, no donuts, no doughnuts either.... In fact, no snacks since this decade began!

I will weigh myself Sunday to see just how much progress I have made.
January was a success!

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