TOKYO

It is not often that I plug in my fitbit 'dongle' into the mac to view my dashboard. I did last night, as I was curious how many steps and miles I have 'traveled' since I became a 'fitbitter' on September 3, 2015. Now I know. I have logged over 13 million steps and traveled nearly 7000 miles. To be precise, my mileage is 6957.51 miles.  What this means is basically nothing. I was simply curious. Apparently my last lifetime badge is still nearly 1000 miles away. This badge, once earned, is the 'Earth' badge. This is the equivalent distance to the center of the earth. (This would be a very impractical hike.) And that's it... no more fitbit lifetime badges to look forward to after that. Perhaps this will change in the future, surely there are more than a few folks out there that have logged more than 7900 miles and need to be recognized with imaginary badges too. I still have some time to contemplate this as I am still 1000 miles away from this 'achievement.'

The route to Japan shown below which is better suited for airplane travel and would be difficult to duplicate on foot.  Nevertheless, since I started logging fitbit steps on September 3, 2015 - I have logged enough mile to 'walk' to Tokyo, Japan.

Distance from Chicago to Tokyo

Distance is 10161 kilometers or 6314 miles or 5486 nautical miles

The distance is the theoretical air distance (great circle distance). Flying between the two locations' airports can be a different distance, depending on airport location and actual route chosen.

Map – Shortest path between Chicago and Tokyo

Your Food Diary For:

Sunday, March 12, 2017

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Essential Everyday - Butter Flavored Grits	500	105	5	10	1,700	5
Sourdough Round French Bread	300	60	2	10	600	4
Scrambled Eggs	200	2	15	18	202	1
	1,000	167	22	38	2,502	10
L U N C H
Real Foods - Corn Thins	575	100	5	15	388	0
	575	100	5	15	388	0
D I N N E R
Homemade - Breakfast Burrito	600	52	40	24	1,580	4
	600	52	40	24	1,580	4
S N A C K S
Dean's - Mini Ice Cream Sandwich	180	30	6	2	110	14
	180	30	6	2	110	14
Totals	2,355	349	73	79	4,580	28
Your Daily Goal	2,687	336	89	135	2,300	100
Remaining	332	-13	16	56	-2,280	72
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g

       Your Exercise Diary for:

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
MATRIX TREADMILL	60	757
Daily Total / Goal	60 / 30	757 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	444 / 210	5,797 / 4,130

Treadmill: 60 minutes, 4.2mph, 757 calories

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HELLO WINTER!

On Friday, the temperature in Chicago was hovering around 65°F and I was able to get out and take an urban hike with a long sleeved shirt and a pair of shorts. When I woke up yesterday, on Saturday morning the temperatures had dropped to near-freezing. It was not until 2:00PM when I decided to get outdoors and take a walk. At that time, the temperature had warmed up to 38°F with the promise of reaching a high of one degree warmer before plateauing at that level.  With 20mph winds whipping through the city, it felt closer to 28°F (so said my weather app)  Still, even with the colder weather, I am still bouncing around, giddy with all the good news emanating from Trump headquarters either in New York City or somewhere in New Jersey this weekend. I had high hopes that Donald Trump would select conservatives to fill important government posts and I have not been disappointed. This guy, Donald Trump, the Presdent-Elect, has exceeded my expectations time and time again. It has simply been difficult to keep my feet firmly on the ground as I digest the daily news.

I embarked on my Saturday afternoon hike wearing three additional layers of clothing, but I stripped down to take some photos by the Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool on Fullerton Avenue.

Sure, I know that my hat looks a big goofy...but it does keep my bald head nice and warm....

I am a simple man with simple tastes. I can eat the same meal day after day if I like something. As proof, I remind my regular readers (if I have any...) that I ate every day at McDonald's and/or Burger King for years and years. Those particular restaurants are no longer interesting to me and I have not eaten a meal in either one in approximately two years. For the record, I do not feel particularly deprived. These days, I have found new places to eat, over and over again, albeit a bit more healthily. So, in my world, it is big news when I 'discover' a new place to eat as I did last night. My family went out for an evening walk, and it was my idea to walk the side streets off Michigan Avenue to see what we might find. We found Misoya. The complete full name of this restaurant is: RAMEN MISOYA CHICAGO DOWNTOWN. The name may not be catchy, but their signature meal, ramen... was delicious. This photo of the front door was lifted from their website.

As we approached this restaurant we saw a few people standing outside the small bright orange vestibule,  with nearly 15 more people crammed inside the vestibule. For some reason, we decided to wait it out. It was worth it. It is so much fun to discover a new 'favorite' restaurant as we did last night. I ordered the KIN MISO RAMEN with Cha-Shu and added Naruto as a topping. ($13.50)

My dinner last night.... KIN MISO RAMEN w/Cha-She & Naruto

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From the the Misoya.net website, I found this...

According to this MISO can remove freckles? I remain skeptical about that one...

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These were the conditions in Chicago when I stepped outside for my urban hike.  I live in 

Chicago, there will be plenty of days in the upcoming months that will make this seem like

a heatwave.

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, November 19, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Essential - Butter Flavored Grits	500	105	5	10	1,700	5
Ritz - Fudge Covered Crackers	200	29	10	1	200	16
CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA	500	83	15	10	125	31
	1,200	217	30	21	2,025	52
L U N C H
Homemade - Enchilladas	700	76	16	62	1,680	0
	700	76	16	62	1,680	0
D I N N E R
MISOYA KIN MISO Ramen Bowl	700	107	10	57	1,648	0
Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato	200	27	8	4	65	24
	900	134	18	61	1,713	24
S N A C K S
Gin Gins Chewy Ginger	120	30	0	0	0	30
Dark Chocolate Coconut Chews	650	65	46	7	81	42
	770	95	46	7	81	72
Totals	3,570	522	110	151	5,499	148
Your Daily Goal	4,599	575	153	230	2,300	172
Remaining	1,029	53	43	79	-3,199	24
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,669 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 203.8 lbs in 5 weeks.

Your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, November 19, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
ELEVEN MILE URBAN HIKE	160	1,960
FIVE MILE EVENING STROLL	68	953
Daily Total / Goal	228 / 30	2,913 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1021 / 210	11,935 / 4,130

BREAKFAST

Calories

kcal

Carbs

g

Fat

g

Protein

g

Sodium

mg

Sugar

g

Essential - Butter Flavored Grits

500

105

5

10

1,700

5

Ritz - Fudge Covered Crackers

200

29

10

1

200

16

CHERRY VANILLA GRANOLA

500

83

15

10

125

31

1,200

217

30

21

2,025

52

L U N C H

Homemade - Enchilladas

700

76

16

62

1,680

0

700

76

16

62

1,680

0

D I N N E R

MISOYA KIN MISO Ramen Bowl

700

107

10

57

1,648

0

Mint Chocolate Chip Gelato

200

27

8

4

65

24

900

134

18

61

1,713

24

S N A C K S

Gin Gins Chewy Ginger

120

30

0

0

0

30

Dark Chocolate Coconut Chews

650

65

46

7

81

42

770

95

46

7

81

72

Totals

3,570

522

110

151

5,499

148

Your Daily Goal

4,599

575

153

230

2,300

172

Remaining

1,029

53

43

79

-3,199

24

Calories

kcal

Carbs

g

Fat

g

Protein

g

Sodium

mg

Sugar

g

*You've earned 2,669 extra calories from exercise today

Cardiovascular

Minutes

Calories Burned

ELEVEN MILE URBAN HIKE

160

1,960

FIVE MILE EVENING STROLL

68

953

 

 

Daily Total / Goal

228 / 30

2,913 / 590

 

Weekly Total / Goal

1021 / 210

11,935 / 4,130             

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Alfred Caldwell Lily Pool, also known as Lincoln Park Lily Pool, is an example of Prairie School landscape architecture designed by Alfred Caldwell and located at 125 W. Fullerton Parkway (between Stockton and Cannon Drives) in Lincoln Park, Chicago, Illinois. It was designated a Chicago Landmark on November 6, 2002. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places and as a National Historic Landmark on February 17, 2006

WELCOME TO INDIA

Earlier this month, my fitbit reported that I had walked the distance to Japan since I had become a 'fitbitter' on September 3, 2015.  I missed that notification when I received it on February 1st. According to fitbit, the length of Japan is 1869 miles. Late last night, my fitbit congratulated me for traversing the equivalent distance of India from North to South - 1997 miles.

This was the notification that I had received earlier this month congratulating me on walking the equivalent distance of Japan. I will admit, that I do get a kick out of these 'badges' that I earn from fitbit. I wonder 'where I am going next."  I suppose that I will find out when I get there!

.

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original	400	88	0	8	1,240	0
English Muffin - Thomas Original	120	25	1	4	200	1
KELLOGGS - RAISIN BRAN	380	92	2	10	420	36
Tropicana - Orange Juice 100% Juice	110	27	0	2	15	22
	1,010	232	3	24	1,875	59
L U N C H
Dark Chocolate Cranberries	240	38	14	2	0	28
Kroger - Banana Chips	320	44	14	2	0	0
HUGE SPINACH SALAD, 1 salad	500	0	0	0	0	0
	1,060	82	28	4	0	28
D I N N E R
Jason's SPICY SEAFOOD GUMBO	230	26	8	12	1,710	3
Jason's Deli - Salad Buffet..., 3 Salad	1,050	51	72	51	3,180	24
	1,280	77	80	63	4,890	27
Totals	3,350	391	111	91	6,765	114
Your Daily Goal	3,971	496	132	199	2,300	149
Remaining	621	105	21	108	-4,465	35
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 2,041 extra calories from exercise today

Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
PRECOR AMT (ADAPTIVE MOTION TRAINER)	65	1,082
PRECOR AMT (ADAPTIVE MOTION TRAINER)	65	1,093
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-134
Daily Total / Goal	131 / 30	2,041 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	393 / 210	6,335 / 4,130

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total calories consumed 3350 calories

total calories burned (elliptical) 2175 calories

total net 1175 calories

. . . . . . . . . . .  

fitbit day 164

15736 steps  

. . . . . . . .

.

65 minutes AMT ELLIPTICAL, LEVEL 20, first session 1082 calories burned

65 minutes AMT ELLIPTICAL, LEVEL 20, second session 1093 calories burned

FRENCH FRIES IN THE NEWS

From New York Daily News

BY KERI BLAKINGER       

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS      Wednesday, January 20, 2016, 11:40 AM

Micky D's has figured out a way to make its food even unhealthier. McDonald's Japan just announced the launch of a new menu item — chocolate French fries. Dubbed McChoco Potatoes, the high-calorie concoction features two sauces — chocolate with cacao flavor and white milk chocolate — drizzled over crispy fries. "The combination creates a wonderful salty and sweet harmonious taste," the company said in a statement. The new side is a limited-time menu addition available in the Land of the Rising Sun starting Tuesday. Sadly, there's no mention of whether this artery-clogging awesomeness will ever be available stateside.

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This seems to me to be a ridiculous combination.... I suppose if McDonald's could create a menu item where chocolate and vanilla sauces were drizzled over an order of Spinach or Kale - perhaps then, there could be a benefit to society. Seriously, how many people don't already find the taste of French Fries compelling enough?  Anyone who pays attention to financial news knows that McDonald's has faced real problems with increased competition as well as a shift to healthier foods by more and more people. This might be an example of a company going in the wrong direction. Then again.... chocolate covered potato chips have already been available for some time...

Your Food Diary For:

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal - Original, 6 packet (28 g)	600	114	12	24	450	0
Thomas Cinammon Raisin Bread - Cinammon Raisin Bread, 2 slice	220	44	3	8	340	0
KELLOGGS - RAISIN BRAN (dry cereal)	380	92	2	10	420	36
	1,200	250	17	42	1,210	36
L U N C H
Jason's Deli - SPICY SEAFOOD GUMBO, 1 Bowl	230	26	8	12	1,710	3
Jason's Deli - Flatbread Crackers	500	60	20	20	950	10
Jason's Deli - Amy's Turkey-o, 1 sandwich	480	56	17	29	1,380	11
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
	1,305	167	45	62	4,042	43
D I N N E R
Whole Foods - Creamed Kale, 14 oz	280	32	12	18	180	6
Whole Foods - Blackened Trout, 3 fillet	660	63	24	54	1,950	0
	940	95	36	72	2,130	6
Totals	3,445	512	98	176	7,382	85
Your Daily Goal	3,450	431	115	173	2,300	129
Remaining	5	-81	16	-2	-5,081	44
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,520 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Wednesday, January 20, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
PRECOR EFX576i ELLIPTICAL	125	1,668
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-148
Daily Total / Goal	126 / 30	1,520 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	350 / 210	5,084 / 4,130

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.

total calories consumed 3445 calories

total calories burned (125 min elliptical) 1668 calories

total net 1777 calories

.....................

fitbit day 139

17960 steps
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10,000 STEPS

I have been a 'fitbitter' for just over one week. I know that I am joining a community of hundreds of thousands of people who are each day logging and counting their steps. Before I made my purchase, even I was aware that the fitbit is a device that encourages its users to make 10,000 steps per day.  I was curious where this number came from....

I found this article on the fitbit blog dated June 22, 2010

The Magic of 10,000 steps

When you join Fitbit, the default goal we set for each member is the magical number of 10,000 steps a day (you can also choose to customize your goal).  And while this may not be the first time you’ve heard that goal, it might be more meaningful, and motivating, to understand its origins. 

The Japanese first started using the 10,000 steps a day number, as part of a marketing campaign! (to help sell pedometers).  Since that initial campaign however, medical authorities around the world have agreed that 10,000 is a healthy number to aim for. The American Heart Association uses the 10,000 steps metric as a guideline to follow for improving health and decreasing risk of heart disease, the number one killer of men and women in America. 

10,000 steps a day is a rough equivalent to the Surgeon General’s recommendation to accumulate 30 minutes of activity most days of the week. It should be enough to reduce your risk for disease and help you lead a longer, healthier life. The benefits are many:  lower BMI, reduced waist size, increased energy, and less risk for Type II diabetes and heart disease.  In fact, a recent study of the 10,000 steps a day method reported conclusive health benefits. 

10,000 steps daily is approximately 5 miles.  Unless you have a very active lifestyle or profession, you probably don’t reach 10,000 steps on a given day without putting some effort into your activity.  This could be a lifestyle change such as walking to work, or the addition of an exercise routine to your day. 

Another reason to do it?  For most people, it’s convenient, free and simple to do with just a little change to your daily routine.  Working towards a 10,000 step a day goal?  Good for you!  Get motivated with one of our Fitbit groups, like 5k-6k steps a day.  Already mastered 10,000? Maybe Active Maintainers is for you.

After reading this I was wondering was ACTIVE MAINTAINERS was all about.  It is an online group of 'overachieving' people with fitbit.  Naturally, I joined.... This is what the leaderboard looked like this morning, September 12th.

Steps in September

• Mike K. - 582,197 steps#1
• Jennifer K. - 526,615 steps#2
• Debbie A. - 492,026 steps#3
• Tracy E. - 211,113 steps#122
• Chris E. - 210,583 steps#123
• You - 210,492 steps#124
• Alma R. - 210,107 steps#125Tracey V. - 209,941 steps
• #126

This group has nearly 200,000 members.... so my standing of #124 is fairly respectable.  I do not think that this will ever be a group where I will be number 1.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

226.6 lbs

I weigh 226.6 lbs.

I gained 0.8 lbs this week

I have lost 82.4 lbs in 262 days. Today begins Day 263.

I will always be at the beginning of a journey that never ends.

I weigh 226.8 (262 days ago I weighed 309 lbs)

I have lost 26.6% of my weight since Dec 24.

I have a BMI, body mass index of 30.31 

I had a 42.0 BMI on Dec 24 just 234 days ago (Class III obesity)

I have 4 words of RATIONALIZATION for myself today: IT MUST BE MUSCLE

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 FRIDAY MENU

breakfast   oatmeal, bacon, poached eggs                                         590 calories

lunch         almonds, bacon, apples, dark choice cashew bars         1270 calories
dinner        Mariano's huge spinach salad                                          750 calories
SNACK    mango, cacao goji, Quaker Rice Cakes                         1030 calories

total calories consumed 3641 calories

calories burned

Northfield YMCA PRECOR 100i elliptical machine 
(maximum session length limited to 60 minutes)
session 1 elliptical 60 min, 5 min cooldown, level 20, 1095 cal
session 2 elliptical 60 min, 5 min cooldown, level 20, 1108 cal

TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 2203 calories

Friday net calories 1438 calories
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