SKIPPED A DAY (DAY 99)

Monday was get-away day from Houston back home.
There was no time, or desire to get a walk in.
So I skipped a day.
In combination with some poorer eating choices whilst in Houston, it appears that I may have gone five pounds in the wrong direction...
OK, time to get back on track.

10% CHANCE OF RAIN - MEANS IT MIGHT RAIN (DAY 98)

Woke up early Sunday, checked the weather and saw a 10% chance of rain.  Naturally, I though that there was virtually no chance of getting caught in any downpour.  I was wrong. The last 2 miles of my hike were through a hard rainfall shortly after sunrise... My walk was shortened to 'only' seven miles.

HOUSTON (DAY 96)

Friday was a long day.
Woke up at 4:30AM
by 5:00AM on my way to Midway Airport.
7:00AM flight takes off for Houston
Plane lands approximately 9:30AM
Supershuttle drops me off at my hotel around 10:30AM
Amazingly, I was able to check into my room early.
11:00 changed clothes, and hiked 5 miles.
and then rest of the afternoon, a couple of meetings with fabric companies.
Dinner with colleagues.
and finally got to sleep around 11:00AM

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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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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LAST DAY IN HOUSTON

Five days in Houston... I managed to get in my walk (urban hike) each day. On the final day, I 'only' walked 6 miles, but I started that day with 65 minutes on the elliptical machine. There could have easily been an argument made that there was no time for any of this - it is a priority, so I made the time. Now it's time to get ready to board a plane and get back home to Chicago.

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Your Food Diary For:

Monday, October 31, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original	600	132	0	12	1,860	0
Starbucks - Reduced Fat Turkey Bacon	230	28	6	13	560	3
	830	160	6	25	2,420	3
L U N C H
Green - Apple, 1 fruit	95	25	0	1	2	19
Banana - Banana, 1 medium banana (126 g)	124	30	0	1	1	19
	219	55	0	2	3	38
D I N N E R
Gyro, 1 gyro	978	64	61	41	1,950	7
	978	64	61	41	1,950	7
S N A C K S
Dewars - Scotch 1 Oz. Shot, 5 oz.	345	0	0	0	0	0
	345	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	2,372	279	67	68	4,373	48
Your Daily Goal	4,711	589	157	236	2,300	176
Remaining	2,339	310	90	168	-2,073	128
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,781 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Monday, October 31, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
SIX MILE URBAN HIKE	97	962
Elliptical Trainer	65	986
Daily Total / Goal	163 / 30	2,781 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	164 / 210	2,832 / 4,130

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MINUTE MAID PARK

I surprised myself on Saturday morning, when I woke up at 5:00AM, and made the instant decision to  get up, get dressed and head outdoors in the dark of night (sunrise was not until about 7:30AM) and hike ten miles. I spent a lot of time zigging and zagging and eventually I found myself near Minute Maid Park.  My Saturday night did not end until around 1:00AM Sunday morning.  Frankly, I am not sure how I managed to operate on so little sleep. But I did.

Taking a short break at Minute Maid Park

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Ultimate Mixed Grill at McCormick & Schmitt

CUBS UPDATE.   I don't want to be negative... but it is looking as if the World Series drought, currently at 108 years may soon be slipping to 109 years. With the loss of the Cubs to the Cleveland Indians on Saturday night, the Cubs are now faced with the loss of the World Series unless they begin a three game winning streak on Sunday. It's doable. It's been done before. It can be done again. But this team is going to need to actually score some runs if that is going to happen.

Your Food Diary For:

Saturday, October 29, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
Quaker - Grits - Instant - Original, 5 packet	500	110	0	10	1,550	0
	500	110	0	10	1,550	0
L U N C H
6" Hot Dog With Bun	580	0	0	0	0	0
	580	0	0	0	0	0
D I N N E R
Mccormick & Schmick's Mixed Grill	1,100	0	0	0	0	0
	1,100	0	0	0	0	0
S N A C K S
Dewars - Scotch 1 Oz. Shot, 3 oz.	207	0	0	0	0	0
	207	0	0	0	0	0
Totals	2,387	110	0	10	1,550	0
Your Daily Goal	4,116	514	137	206	2,300	154
Remaining	1,729	404	137	196	750	154
	Calories kcal	Carbs g	Fat g	Protein g	Sodium mg	Sugar g
	*You've earned 2,186 extra calories from exercise today

If every day were like today...   You'd weigh 195 lbs in 5 weeks     

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Saturday, October 29, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
10 MILE URBAN HIKE	143	1,799
Daily Total / Goal	143 / 30	1,799 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	1065 / 210	16,499 / 4,130

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ACCIDENTAL MOUNTAIN HIKE

My first obligation in Salt Lake City yesterday was at noon for a series of meetings. I decided that I should make use of the free morning by taking an urban hike around downtown Salt Lake City. My hike began by walking one mile east of my hotel and then I started walking north. It didn't take too long for me to see that I was walking uphill. (My recent workouts on the treadmill at various angles of elevation gave me the confidence to continue)  I decided to walk north (and up) as far and as long as I could. I quickly found myself in the foothills of the mountains that surround Salt Lake City. At some point, there was no more neighborhood - but there was an entrance to series of trails that led to the small mountains (big hills?) just north of Salt Lake City. I simply could not believe where I was since the hike was supposed to be a completely urban hike in downtown Salt Lake. I took a couple of 'selfies' of myself at the top of a hill which an elevation app on my phone told me was 5,506 feet. (My hotel where my hike began was at an elevation of 4,263 feet.  My roundtrip ten mile hike did have me climb 1243 feet. This was one of my best day hikes ever.

Just me at an elevation of 5506 feet during my 'accidental' mountain hike

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panoramic view from 5506 feet just north of downtown Salt Lake City

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I met someone walking their pug who was kind enough to take a photo for me.

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I always expect to find some enjoyment when taking a 10 mile hike - yesterday was the best.

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by this time I was back in the city enjoying some of the artwork attached to the street lights.

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, May 19, 2016

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
Scrambled Eggs - Eggs Hotel	235	5	15	15	390	0
Hatfield - Canadian Brand Ham	175	5	3	25	1,050	5
Quaker - Instant Oatmeal - Original	300	57	6	12	225	0
	710	67	24	52	1,665	5
L U N C H
Banana - Banana, 2 medium banana	248	60	0	2	2	38
Sage - Red Delicious Apple, 1 medium apple	95	25	0	1	2	19
Planters - Salted Cashews, 1.5 oz	240	13	19	8	140	3
Deli Express - Smoked Ham & Cheese Sandwich on Homestyle White Bread, 1 sandwich	250	28	7	19	1,250	5
	833	126	26	30	1,394	65
D I N N E R
Great Value - Fettuccini Noodles	400	82	2	14	0	4
Lobster Tails	400	10	5	114	601	0
	800	92	7	128	601	4
S N A C K S
Oreos - Minis, 10 cookies	130	21	6	1	140	11
Cliff Bar - Blueberry Crisp, 1 Bars (68g)	250	44	5	10	180	22
	380	65	11	11	320	33
Totals	2,723	350	68	220	3,980	107
Your Daily Goal	3,808	476	127	191	2,300	142
Remaining	1,085	125	59	-29	-1,679	35
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 1,878 extra calories from exercise today

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       Your Exercise Diary for:

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking	161	1,598
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	280
Daily Total / Goal	162 / 30	1,878 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	466 / 210	5,490 / 4,130

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The MapMyWalk app calculated that I took 19064 steps during this 10 mile hike.  There were two consecutive weeks before my hernia surgery when I was trying to rest myself to health, that I only walked about 20,000 steps during an entire week.

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This day hike yesterday had me climb 1243 feet. I had expected my hike to be completely flat walking around downtown Salt Lake City. Just one more reason that it pays to be 'in shape' and ready to face an unexpected challenge. I do not want to be overly dramatic, it's not like I climbed Mt Everest - but still a climb of 1243 feet is not something that I do every - day before lunch.

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WELCOME TO HOUSTON, TEXAS

Early yesterday morning, I was dropped off at the airport at 6:30AM for my scheduled 8:30AM flight from Midway Airport to Houston, Texas.   I quickly checked my luggage, received my boarding pass and mercifully passed through the 'rigorous' inspections of the TSA by precisely 7:00AM.  I have been at this airport many times with an hour to kill.  For many years, I visited the bagel place and purchased a delicious (and non-nutritious) bagel and that was of course, followed by some sweet chocolate treat.  Fast Forward to today.  New man, new lifestyle, new choices, new results.  I walked the around the airport airport terminal for one solid hour until boarding for my flight started at 8:00AM.  I logged nearly 9000 steps. I walked a little more than 4 miles.  Once I boarded the aircraft I was already feeling quite pleased with myself as I had not 'wasted' the hour just sitting around.

This beautifully painted wall captured my admiration

My first appointment in Houston was scheduled at 6:00AM.  That is, if you consider meeting colleagues at the hotel bar - an appointment.  I was checked into my downtown Houston Hotel by 1:30PM.  I had plenty of time to pursue my new hobby.  Walking.  Lots of walking.  calorie burning.  step accumulating.  Once again, I logged 13.1 miles in downtown Houston before 5:00PM.  

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The weather in Houston was a bit warmer than what I have been experiencing in Chicago lately.  Earlier this week I needed to wear gloves and a ski cap when I started out.  In Houston, that was not an issue.  When I passed this fountain (all fountains in Chicago have already been turned off for the winter) I was reminded just how thirsty I was.

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Your Food Diary For:

Thursday, October 22, 2015 

BREAKFAST	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
John McCann Steel Cut - Oat Meal, 1 cup	600	108	0	16	0	0
Roundy's - Center Cut Bacon, 3 Slices	70	0	4	7	220	0
Chip's Ahoy - Thin Crisps, 3 serving(s)	300	54	9	3	420	21
	970	162	13	26	640	21
L U N C H
Forrelli - Rice Cakes, 18 slice	360	72	0	0	0	0
Alive & Radiant Foods - Kale Krunch - Quite Cheezy, 2.2 oz	220	20	15	9	572	2
	580	92	15	9	572	2
D I N N E R
Front Street Cantina - Chicken Enchilada, 3 enchilada	693	33	45	39	1,680	0
Corn pudding - Home-prepared, 1 cup	273	32	13	11	138	0
Beans - Black, 1 Cup	227	41	1	15	2	0
	1,193	106	59	65	1,820	0
S N A C K S
Amaretto - Liquor - Disaronno (Amaretto) (1 Oz.), 6 ounce	660	102	0	0	42	54
	660	102	0	0	42	54
Totals	3,403	462	88	100	3,074	77
Your Daily Goal	5,719	715	190	286	2,300	214
Remaining	2,316	253	102	186	-773	136
	Calories	Carbs	Fat	Protein	Sodium	Sugar
	*You've earned 3,789 extra calories from exercise today

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Your Exercise Diary for: 

Thursday, October 22, 2015 

Cardiovascular	Minutes	Calories Burned
Walking, 5.0 mph	58	1,362
Walking, 4.5 mph, very, very brisk pace	172	2,582
MFP iOS calorie adjustment	N/A	-155
Add Exercise Quick Tools
Daily Total / Goal	231 / 30	3,789 / 590
Weekly Total / Goal	963 / 210	16,187 / 4,130

TOTAL CALORIES CONSUMED 3402 CALORIES
TOTAL CALORIES BURNED 3789 CALORIES
NET CALORIES 387 DEFECIT
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fitbit day 50

40352 steps

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The first dinner in Houston was at one of my favorite restaurants anywhere, BACK STREET CAFE.  I only eat one item at this restaurant. Each year during my Houston visit I order CORN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS.  That's it.  Enough said.  They are amazing.  The menu item is served with just two enchiladas.  Our group always orders this item with one additional one.

BACK STREET CAFE

CORN CHICKEN ENCHILADAS