BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE

Global Warming strikes again! When I left Chicago for Minneapolis on Monday morning, it was a 'balmy' zero degrees outside.  When I awoke this morning, in Bloomington, Minnesota, the temperatures was eight degrees colder.  It does serve to remind me that I am glad that I have cured myself of the compulsion to walk outside every day, as I did just as the cold weather was starting to become a habit in December.  In fact, the very first thing I did, before I left Chicago, was stop at my local YMCA to get a replacement ID card for the one that I recently lost.  I was fairly certain that I was not going to be exploring any trails in Minneapolis this week.

from wikipedia.com

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" is a song written byFrank Loesser in 1944. It is a call and response duet in which one of the singers (usually performed by a male voice) attempts to convince a guest (usually performed by a female voice) that they should stay together for a romantic evening because the weather is cold and the trip home would be difficult. Originally recorded for the film Neptune's Daughter, it has been recorded by many artists since its original release. In the early part of its history, the song was seen as presenting a liberating stand for women because the guest decides to stay despite what the neighbors might say about her reputation; however, in the 2000s, critiques of the song have highlighted other parts of the lyrics such as "What's in this drink?" and his unrelenting pressure to stay despite her repeated statement of her desire to go home.

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This song, Baby, It's Cold Outside, has been recorded by scores of artists in the 60+ years since it was first written. I personally own only one version of the song. Oddly enough, the version that I own is by Buck Dharma (Guitarist for Blue Öyster Cult) and his wife. Something about this song, makes it impossible not to enjoy if sung by anyone with just a little talent.

Your Food Diary For: Monday, January 18, 2016 BREAKFAST Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar steel cut oatmeal - steel cut oat meal, 1 cup 600 108 10 20 0 4 Walgreens - Nutritional Shake, 1 Bottle 250 40 6 9 190 22 Starbucks - Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon, 230 28 6 13 560 3 1,080 176 22 42 750 29 L U N C H Subway - Double Chicken Chop Salad, 425 g 220 10 5 36 490 4 Roundy's - Oats & More With Honey & Almonds, 3 cup 520 104 8 12 600 24 Larabar Über - Dark Chocolate Pecan With Sea Salt, 1 bar 220 16 16 5 125 9 960 130 29 53 1,215 37 D I N N E R Deli Meat - Roast Beef (Deli), 4.5 oz 240 0 9 36 630 0 Kroger - Deli Sliced Ham, 4 slices 60 3 3 10 650 3 Crab Salad - Imitation Crab, Deli, 1 cup 225 18 2 26 680 2 Eggs - Hard Boiled - Large, 1 egg 78 1 5 6 62 1 HYVEE - HUGE SPINACH SALAD, 0.4 salad 200 0 0 0 0 0 WHOLE FOODS - YOGURT PRETZELS, 40 g (approx 8 pcs) 190 28 0 2 180 19 Hyvee - Wasabi Peas, 0.5 cup 200 32 4 12 360 6 HY-VEE - FRENCH VANILLA GRANOLA, 44.0 g (approx 3/4 cup) 200 32 6 4 44 11 1,393 114 29 96 2,606 42 Totals 3,433 420 80 191 4,571 108 Your Daily Goal 4,007 501 133 201 2,300 150 Remaining 574 81 53 9 -2,271 42 Calories Carbs Fat Protein Sodium Sugar *You've earned 2,077 extra calories from exercise today

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Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, January 18, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
STAR TRAC ELLIPTICAL	92	2,140
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-63
Daily Total / Goal	93 / 30	2,077 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	93 / 210	2,077 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3433 calories

total calories burned (92 min elliptical) 2140 calories

total net 1193 calories

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fitbit day 137

12866 steps
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THE WIZARD OF OZ

Yesterday morning, my walk took me to and through Oz Park in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago. The author of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' was L. Frank Baum who wrote that book while he lived at 1667 N. Humboldt Blvd in 1900.  The home where Baum lived was long since razed although a modest historical marker serves as a reminder.

Not far from where Baum lived is Oz Park.  Oz Park is a beautiful park nestled in the Lincoln Park section of Chicago and it is the home to 4 statues commemorating the four major characters from 'The Wizard of Oz'

The weather was a 'balmy' 40°F when I set out yesterday morning.

OZ PARK - CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Rice Cake - Buttered Popcorn, 14 cake (9g)	490	112	0	14	630	0
Kind Healthy Grains Dark Chocolate bar (35g)	150	23	5	2	70	8
Michigan Apples - red delicious apple, 2 large	260	68	0	2	0	50
General Mills - Kix Cereal, 2.5 cup	220	50	2	4	360	6
	1,120	253	7	22	1,060	64
L U N C H
Wow Bao - Thai Herb Broth , 320 g	40	4	0	5	1,190	3
WHOLE FOODS 7700 - ORGANIC DATE PIECES w/OAT FLOWER, 50 g (2 TBSP)	150	38	0	1	13	28
Generic - Chicken Vesuvio, 4 oz	345	4	47	32	406	0
Generic - Grilled Brussel Sprouts, 1 cup	65	13	3	6	23	0
	600	58	49	43	1,631	31
D I N N E R
WHOLE FOODS - NATURAL WASABI GREEN PEAS, 2/3 cup (30 grams)	240	38	6	8	480	4
Quaker - Rice Cake - Buttered Popcorn, 14 cake (9g)	490	112	0	14	630	0
WHOLE FOODS 8497 - CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA, 82.5 g (3/4 cup)	360	60	11	8	90	23
	1,090	210	17	30	1,200	27
S N A C K S
WHOLE FOODS 8738 - DRIED MANGO SLICES, 46.0 g (approx 6 pieces)	126	32	0	2	1	23
WHOLE FOODS - YOGURT PRETZELS, 40 g	190	28	0	2	180	19
KROGER 90078 - BANANA CHIPS, 37.5 g (approx 3/4 cup)	203	23	11	1	0	5
	519	83	11	5	181	46
Totals	3,329	605	84	100	4,072	167
Your Daily Goal	4,786	598	159	240	2,300	179
Remaining	1,457	-6	75	140	-1,772	11
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,856 extra calories from exercise today

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Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	134	1,920
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	936
Daily Total / Goal	135 / 30	2,856 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	533 / 210	8,869 / 4,130

total calories consumed 3329 calories
total calories burned (10 mile walk) 1920 calories
total net calories 1409 calorie

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fitbit day 84

40054 steps

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ten mile walking streak reached 17 days

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This was originally published by chicagonow.com

By Chicago Quirk, May 14, 2012 at 8:34 am

I've always loved Oz Park, but it seems kind of random. Where did it get its name? Where did those Wizard of Oz character statues come from? Being the Chicago nerd that I am, I did some research and found out some very interesting facts for this week's "Did You Know, Chicago?". 

L. Frank Baum, the creator of Oz, actually lived in various Chicago neighborhoods! Baum wrote for the "Evening Post," and during this time he began writing children's books. He published "the Wonderful Wizard of Oz" in 1900 and opened the play called "The Wizard of Oz" in Chicago in 1902. 

For years, fans of the books would gather in what is now called Oz Park for an Oz festival to celebrate the book, the author and the movie. The park was officially named Oz Park in 1976. 

The four sculptures that are found throughout the park - Dorothy and Toto, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow - were all created by Chicago artist John Kearney. The Tinman was the first to be installed, placed in the park in 1995. Dorothy and Toto was the last, created in 2007. The Tinman is made out of recycled automobile parts and the others are made of bronze. 

Located in the park is a playground called "Dorothy's Playlot." Not only does this relate to the whole Oz theme, but it's also named for its donor, Dorothy Melamerson. A retired local school teacher, her savings have paid for a number of park improvements in Lincoln Park. 

A number of activities take place in Oz Park every year, including movie screenings throughout the summer.

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Last evening, I found two 'ancient' photos from Oz Park taken way back in 2008. My daughter, the girl in the photos is 13 years old now.

I DID IT MY WAY

In 1969, Frank Sinatra released a song, 'My Way.'   This song sounds as wonderful today as I presume it did in 1969.   In 1969, I was just beginning to care about music - and Frank Sinatra was not yet on my musical radar screen.  (I remember, one of the first albums that I ever purchased, was back in 1969. It was Led Zeppelin II) The Sinatra song, famous for the lyric, 'I Did it My Way', reminds me how I lost 80 lbs seven years ago and then gained every pound back and tacked on 9 more for good luck.  I did it my way. I did it the wrong way.  I should have done it a different way. 

Seven years ago, I did it my way.  Now it's time to do it a different way

Fast forward to 2015. It is clear to me that I am going to be successful in losing something in the neighborhood of 100 pounds again. This time, I am still doing it my way.  I am just not doing it the same way.

Seven years ago, I spent much time and energy shopping for (and eating) all kinds of low-calorie and/or low carb snacks.  Back then, seven years ago, I did not even try to break my habit of non-stop eating. This time, I have eaten three meals per day: breakfast, lunch and dinner.   That's it.  No snacks. This is a very different way.

It was the constant snacking that was more than partially responsible for derailing me.   

Example 1: Rice cakes are a good low calories snack. Each rice cake is approximately 35 calories.  I would eat the whole bag of them in one sitting.  (35 x 16 = 560 calories)  Not a very smart idea.  There are so many wonderful foods to eat if one is going to consume 560 calories.

Example 2: Whole Foods offered a wonderful variety of Nuts and Trail Mix.  These products are purchased by the ounce.  A consumer buys as much or as little as they desire.  Nuts and Trail Mix can be a healthy nutritious snack.  I derailed my efforts by abusing portion control.

Example 3: My program seven years ago started out as a modified version of the Atkins Diet.  Low Carbs.  The Atkins Diet is effective, especially in the beginning - but it is difficult to maintain over the course of time.   However, that wasn't the problem.  I 'discovered' so-called Atkins Bars. This was basically a candy bar that had reduced carbs.  However, no matter what anyone says, there is only one way to lose weight.  One must create a caloric deficit of 3500 calories below the number of calories that one needs to maintain one's weight.  The Atkins Bars were delicious.  Since they had the imprimatur of 'health,' I ate them with reckless abandon.  I bought them by the 10-pack carton. And because of my weak-will, I was capable of eating five at a time.   Not a good way to consume 850 calories.  I have learned from this experience of overindulging.

If I get an overwhelming desire to have chocolate, I will just buy one bar and eat it.   Right now, I am very aware that it takes a lot of work on the treadmill to 'erase' 200 calories, so for the past few weeks - I have not had a chocolate craving at all.   I do get genuinely hungry.   And when mealtime rolls around, I eat.   It's not complicated.   It's the 'Rabbi Hillel Diet' plan.

"What is unhealthy for you, do not eat. That is the whole plan; the rest is commentary - go and have lunch!"

Atkins Bars (and other similar products) taste great - however, with all due respect, they are not healthy.   Maybe they work for you.   I will avoid them.   When I decide that I 'need' (or crave) a chocolate bar - I will have a genuine chocolate bar manufactured by genuine chocolatier.

Atkins Bars: They are expensive, They taste great, and they are not particularly healthy.

Atkins Bar: I think that there are more effective ways of having a 170 calorie treat.

SUNDAY MENU 

BREAKFAST three poached eggs, two slices turkey 'bacon'                               280 CALORIES

LUNCH            4oz. Salmon filet, Chicken with Rice Soup                                 322 CALORIES

DINNER           1/2 hamburger patty, Chicken Rice Soup, 2 Zucchini Pancakes  395 CALORIES

TOTAL CALORIC CONSUMPTION   997 CALORIES

CALORIES BURNED

6AM   TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES

3PM    TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES
10PM  TREADMILL: 60 minutes @ 4 mph (4 miles) 600 CALORIES

NET CALORIC DEFICIT  803 CALORIES

It appears that I am heading for another significant weigh-in on Saturday.
Last week I 'walked' 50 miles.  I had not planned on doing that.  I just did it.
This week, it is a definite goal of mine to 'walk' 50 miles.
The week which begins on Saturday is only two days old, and I have logged 20 miles already.
I am doing things that I never would have believed possible just 5 weeks ago.
I am begining to believe that endorphins are real!